Giving Before Going

There are three principles of missions that I have identified as the G-Forces: Give, Go, and Grow.

Today, I want to share with you G-Force #1: Give. A powerful tool that we need before going on the mission field is giving. Our giving does three things…

Giving Gets God’s Attention

First, and most importantly, giving before going gets God’s attention. Giving our money, time, and prayers to God’s Work is a principle in the Word of God.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38 NIV

We can not receive anything with a closed hand. When we open our hand to give to others, then God will return a greater blessing.

Did you know that the group that gives the most to UPCI – Global Missions is missionaries? There are 5 missionaries that personally support my AIM work in Romania. God will always honor your giving.

Giving Gets the Attention of Our Leaders

Secondly, giving gets the attention of our leaders. Again, giving does not just mean money but it also means our time. When a leader knows we are willing to show up to church early, stay late, and then do it all over again next Sunday then he will start to trust us. Our pastors have a lot of responsibility and anything we can do to lift up their hands is a positive.

The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ – Matthew 25:20-21 NIV

The above biblical principle shows that our leaders will honor faithful service. When our pastor asks us to make sure the sanctuary is tidied before service, then we must do everything in our power to be faithful with this seemingly little thing. Through our faithfulness, doors will be open for us to be in charge of many things.  

Even in the world of business, an employer appreciates his employees that turn up on time, with a smile, and ready to serve the customer.

Your pastor’s recommendation is very important when applying for bible college and short-term missions. Let us make sure that these accounts are given with joy (Hebrews 13:17).

Giving is Important to Our Mission

Giving before going gives us a crucial life tool on the mission field. Once we arrive on the mission field, if all we ever did was receive then it will be difficult to break that habit. On the contrary, if we had an habit of giving before going then we can be more effective in reaching the land of our calling!

Many times when missionaries arrive on the mission field, we can be overwhelmed with the needs of the people. We want to give them all that we have. However, the greatest thing we can give people is to teach them the principle of giving. If successful, the people you are reaching will start to give their own time and finances to the work of God in their own country. This is a major key to building a long-lasting work and it all started with your giving. God always honors giving, no matter the sum or the location!

Remember to always give cheerfully too. God loves a cheerful giver!