Although I always believed tithing was good and Biblical, and understood
the concept that 10% of my income actually belongs to God, not me, giving it to the Church shouldn't have been a problem;
however, like most young people, I had a hard time parting with this money, especially when it could mean a new outfit!
One night a representitive from WorldServe ministries visited our Church
and his stories about what pastors in communist countries go through just to spread the gospel touched my heart. People
were being beaten, tortured, separated from their families, even killed. Yet the conversion rate continues to rise!
People can't get enough of Jesus, and you would think, if it meant they could die for their faith, why would Christianity
become so widespread? Why are people crying out just to own a Bible?
Halfway through the presentation, I had already heard enough to be convinced.
I gathered up donation information after the service. I arranged for a certain amount to be debited from my account
every month by WorldServe, so there would be no temptation for me to withhold anything.
I have grown frustrated with missionaries who are constantly looking for
thousands of dollars in support so that they can go to school and "train". These men and women I read about who WorldServe
supports never had a penny put towards their training, or furthering their education about Christ, and they are winning converts
every day! So when some of these pastors need as little as $30.00 per month to pay for living expenses, I cannot justify supporting
a missionary in training for thousands.
I read a book recently by K.P. Yohannan who indicated throughout that we
have been blessed in this land, and that there are others serving Jesus who have nothing. Not everyone is called to
missions or can pick up and go overseas. But for the ones who do, the least we can do is give a portion of our money,
which God has blessed us with.
See below for links to missions.
