Missions

There is a passage in the Old Testament that I think of when considering missions. It is from 1 Samuel 30. Some Amalekites had raided and captured David's whole village, burned it with fire and took everyone's family captive. David and his men pursued them, but after 100 miles in four days and some men became so exhausted that they couldnt go on. They set up camp and stayed while David and the rest went on to catch the Amalekites and conquer them. David recaptured all the families and all the stuff but when they returned to the camp where the others were waiting some of David's "worthless" guys said, "They did not go with us to battle so we're not giving them any of the spoil. Just give them their families and let them leave" (30:22). This was harsh and would have caused a division in David's ranks. David responded to these guys, "No way. We are all brothers and God gave us this victory. Those who fought will share in the rewards with those who guarded the supplies" (30:23-24). This principle became a rule in Israel, that those who go and those who stay share alike.

I believe this sheds some light on the principles of missions. Like David's men, there are some who go and some who stay. Some can't go out on the mission field. They have to set up camp and guard the supplies. Their job is to protect the resources of those going into battle. Others are sent out and supported. It is much easier for some people to pick up their life, hop on a plane and serve in an unreached area. This used to be me. I loved going out and the adventure of faith. It was easy too. Now that I am a little older, things have changed. I have a family and responsibilities to a church body back in Hawaii. This trip we have taken to Hungary has been great but not without a huge effort. A family of 7 just isn't as mobile as a single guy or girl. Nevertheless we came. The only way we were able to was that there was a group of people who stayed by the supplies back home. We have been supported by faithful people back home. According to our story in 1 Sam 30, those folks back home will share in all the rewards in heaven for the souls who have been touched or saved in our ministering here. By the way, thank you for your continued faithfulness in giving. Only heaven will display all the rewards you have wrought by your generosity.

Let me encourage you to be faithful if you are a "stay by the stuff" person. Just as David's men's hearts surely went with him, though physically they couldn't, you should go in your heart too even if physically you can't be out there. Protect the home base, support your local church, continue praying and giving to those who have gone out.

For those who have gone out, be sure that you don't despise those back home. Don't judge them for not being able to go. Don't dismiss their faithfulness to watch over the supplies. Share the rewards of your exploits for the Lord. If you have gone out with the Greater David and won souls, then rejoice with those who couldn't go.

What are you? Are you sent or a sender? If sent, than engage the battle on the mission field. Preach and pray like souls depend on it. They do. You are engaged in a serious fight for captive souls and God has promised victory. Are you a sender? Then stay faithful by the stuff. Keep your heart in the fight and continue to be the supplier that God has made you. You will be richly rewarded. "As his part is who goes down to battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies, they shall share alike."