In Trouble?

Budget cuts. That’s what I think about nowadays when I think of the mission entities in the SBC. The economic situation in our country has left nothing untouched. As I was listening to the report of a mission trip to Uganda by one family in the church we visited today, they reported a decrease in health care benefits for our missionaries and their families. Our missionaries are receiving less money to hire local help and less for ministry opportunities in their assigned areas. These concerns strike me even more so when I remember the optimism of the IMB a few years back. Their desire was to reach every people group on Earth.

The sermon that followed immediately though was on a passage of Scripture that speaks of God’s blessings on those who are faithful to Him. I personally have not been able to give as much beyond our regular tithe as I’d like to. While we as Christians must continually make sacrifices and give to support these causes, what God’s Spirit through this sermon showed me today was that we must continue to trust that He will continue to bless our efforts. Prayer is much more powerful and effective than any financial gifts we can give. God is still in control, and He provides so that His people can do His work. Prayer can accomplish much and, unlike money, our access to the throne of God is unlimited. Please continue to pray for the missionary efforts of the IMB, NAMB, and other missionaries around the world.