It was Henry Martyn who said, “The spirit of missions is the spirit of Christ. The nearer we get to Him the more intensely missionary we become.”  I concur; drawing closer to the Lord means acquainting ourselves with the work He has set out for us to do.  If we love Him, we will keep His commandments.  If the heart of the church is engaged with His, it will beat with the passion of reaching the world with the gospel message.  Our first order of business in the church should be His last commission to the church.

Such missionary endeavors require backing and support.  We are certainly to have programs, passion, and the right perspective when it comes to reaching the world.  But vision must be financed.  This is where faith and stewardship merge together.  God invites us to experience His purpose for the world, and challenges us to give cheerfully to His cause.  Allow me to share five reasons I give to missions:

1. The Element of Expectation

We are required to give.  Cain and Abel gave offerings unto the Lord. Abraham tithed to Melchisedec.  The law required Israel to bring the first fruits of their labor.  The early church brought their gifts to the storehouse on the first day of the week. Many contend that giving was an Old Testament protocol that somehow became dissolved under the dispensation of grace.  Someone has rightly observed, “If an Old Testament Jew was expected to give a tenth under the law of Moses; how much more should we give who have been freely saved by the grace of God?”

I believe God expects us to give.  And if His primary purpose of the church is to propagate the gospel, shouldn’t every believer financially involve themselves in such an endeavor?

2. The Element of Expedience

Although our motivation for giving should NOT be selfish in nature, one cannot deny from studying the promises of God that it is not without benefits.  Abraham gave his son, and God , in return, gave Abraham an entire nation.  Hannah gave her son to the Lord, and the Lord gave her five more children.  The widow woman gave Elijah her barrel, and God kept the barrel full.  The little lad gave his lunch, and God gave the multitude a feast with 12 baskets remaining.  Simply put, it pays to serve God.  If you take care of His business, He is sure to take care of yours.

3. The Element of Evangelism

Funding missions means spreading the gospel around the world.  At the end of the day, this is the goal.  Church functions and fellowships are fine in their place.  But God didn’t die on the cross so that we could have dinner on the grounds.  He died so that we can put feet on the grounds in heathen and pagan nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. The Element of Eternity

Souls are dying without Christ.  What are we doing to reach them?  Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay.”  Eternity should be an ever-present reality in our financial statements.

5. The Element of Exaltation

Above and beyond all other reasons, we should support and give to missions for the honor and glory of God.  Whatever we do, may we do it for His exaltation.  When Christ is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself.  May we make much of Christ to the honor of God.  May God bless our witness, along with our wallets, for His divine and sovereign purpose.