Selfishly Giving.
Question.
Why do we spend hundreds of dollars going on mission trips, sending ourselves rather than giving that money straight to the country or churches there to help themselves directly and more efficiently??? Do we go thinking we are serving to help because they can't help themselves? Or the churches there are too weak without American Christians??
Sometimes GIVING has SELFISH motives behind it.
My dad told me a story once of how a man from America came to Egypt to speak at his church when he was younger. Dad remembers thinking of how this man needed a translator to speak to the church and nobody really got much from the preaching. Dad thought "Our preacher is so much better. Why doesn't this man help his own church?"
Although this was hard to hear, I felt my dad had an exteremly valid point. Yes the Bible does command us to go to the world and to suffer and agonize in prayer....but does that mean missionary work is ALWAYS nessessary? It teaches through experience...YES. It helps other...YES. It bridges cultures..YES. It spreads the gospel...YES. BUT, if our money went to the churches located in that area...and other professional water drilling companies couldn't they be doing the same thing, but more effeciently???? Are we going on missions to feel as if we've done our "spiritual duty"? Because if that's the case, then I think its mighty sad that we overlook our own homes and our own city to serve a hidden selfish motive.
Just some thoughts. Please dont get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with missionary work, but I think this is one of those topics we accept and dont think through alternatives. I'd LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS.
Why do we spend hundreds of dollars going on mission trips, sending ourselves rather than giving that money straight to the country or churches there to help themselves directly and more efficiently??? Do we go thinking we are serving to help because they can't help themselves? Or the churches there are too weak without American Christians??
Sometimes GIVING has SELFISH motives behind it.
My dad told me a story once of how a man from America came to Egypt to speak at his church when he was younger. Dad remembers thinking of how this man needed a translator to speak to the church and nobody really got much from the preaching. Dad thought "Our preacher is so much better. Why doesn't this man help his own church?"
Although this was hard to hear, I felt my dad had an exteremly valid point. Yes the Bible does command us to go to the world and to suffer and agonize in prayer....but does that mean missionary work is ALWAYS nessessary? It teaches through experience...YES. It helps other...YES. It bridges cultures..YES. It spreads the gospel...YES. BUT, if our money went to the churches located in that area...and other professional water drilling companies couldn't they be doing the same thing, but more effeciently???? Are we going on missions to feel as if we've done our "spiritual duty"? Because if that's the case, then I think its mighty sad that we overlook our own homes and our own city to serve a hidden selfish motive.
Just some thoughts. Please dont get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with missionary work, but I think this is one of those topics we accept and dont think through alternatives. I'd LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS.