On May 12, 1792 William Carey published a little pamphlet entitled, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. By God’s grace, his words inspired the modern missionary movement, and by God’s grace, I’m praying that they will inspire a fresh passion for global missions at Glory of Christ.
Having urged his readers, and his own Baptist denomination, to create organizations that seriously endeavor to obey the Great Commission, Carey turned to the subject of funding and shared three simple points. First, he admitted that money for global missions will always be lacking so that we will always have to depend on the Lord and seek ways of raising resources. While this reality is among the most difficult and frustrating for those who are engaged in global missions, it is also among the most important because it is one of the primary ways God teaches his people that they can only obey his commands by his might, power, and resources. In other words, our constant dependency kills pride and builds faith.
Second, when it comes to gathering resources, Carey urged the wealthy in the church to set apart a significant amount of their wealth to the work of the Lord at home and abroad. He reminded them that they are but stewards of the resources of God by the grace of God, and that they have been entrusted with the same for the glory of God. He also encouraged them to ponder the fact that few other investments of their resources would yield such eternal returns as global missions, both for themselves and for others.
Third, Carey further argued that funding global missions should not be left to the wealthy alone, but that all believers should give toward this great endeavor. In fact, he encouraged Christians of “moderate means” to devote a full ten-percent of their annual income to various ministries of the church, for this would accord with the practice of the saints of old and it would ensure that the church would have enough resources for its local and global ministries.
With these three simple points in mind, Carey concluded, “We have only to keep the end in view, and have our hearts thoroughly engaged in the pursuit of it, and means will not be very difficult.” In other words, if we commit ourselves before the Lord to enter into the joy of obeying the Great Commission, then we will find a way to play our part because he will enable us to play our part!
Beloved, as one of your pastors, I am inspired by your financial commitment to global missions and I want to close this devotional by simply urging you to fan that commitment into flame! For as you give yourselves over to the mission of Jesus in the world, you will open yourselves up all the more to the joy of Jesus in this age and the one to come.
Having urged his readers, and his own Baptist denomination, to create organizations that seriously endeavor to obey the Great Commission, Carey turned to the subject of funding and shared three simple points. First, he admitted that money for global missions will always be lacking so that we will always have to depend on the Lord and seek ways of raising resources. While this reality is among the most difficult and frustrating for those who are engaged in global missions, it is also among the most important because it is one of the primary ways God teaches his people that they can only obey his commands by his might, power, and resources. In other words, our constant dependency kills pride and builds faith.
Second, when it comes to gathering resources, Carey urged the wealthy in the church to set apart a significant amount of their wealth to the work of the Lord at home and abroad. He reminded them that they are but stewards of the resources of God by the grace of God, and that they have been entrusted with the same for the glory of God. He also encouraged them to ponder the fact that few other investments of their resources would yield such eternal returns as global missions, both for themselves and for others.
Third, Carey further argued that funding global missions should not be left to the wealthy alone, but that all believers should give toward this great endeavor. In fact, he encouraged Christians of “moderate means” to devote a full ten-percent of their annual income to various ministries of the church, for this would accord with the practice of the saints of old and it would ensure that the church would have enough resources for its local and global ministries.
With these three simple points in mind, Carey concluded, “We have only to keep the end in view, and have our hearts thoroughly engaged in the pursuit of it, and means will not be very difficult.” In other words, if we commit ourselves before the Lord to enter into the joy of obeying the Great Commission, then we will find a way to play our part because he will enable us to play our part!
Beloved, as one of your pastors, I am inspired by your financial commitment to global missions and I want to close this devotional by simply urging you to fan that commitment into flame! For as you give yourselves over to the mission of Jesus in the world, you will open yourselves up all the more to the joy of Jesus in this age and the one to come.
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