tagged: Current Events, David Rogers, Family, International Mission Board, Missions

Investing in Eternity

Posted by David Rogers in Baptist Life

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

This holiday season, many people will make important decisions regarding how they will invest the resources God has entrusted into their hands. With the national economy showing marked signs of weakness and instability, some will, no doubt, rethink the amount they believe they can afford to give to charitable causes.

In 1989, with a desire to be faithful stewards of the gifts God had given us, my wife and I made the decision to apply for service as international missionaries, and left shortly thereafter, together with our 6-month-old son, for Spain. Since that time, a lot of water has gone under the bridge. We have planted our lives in Spain, and, in many ways, have come to see the world through the eyes of the Spanish people. Along the way, God gave us another precious son. We have had the privilege to serve in 5 different cities in Spain, been involved in the planting of several new congregations, pastored one previously existing congregation, seen a number of souls come to Christ, new converts baptized, disciples made, leaders encouraged and trained… We are truly thankful for the years God has allowed us to invest in eternity in Spain.

And now, 19 years later, we sense the Lord is directing us to stay, at least for the present, in the States, as we attend to needs within our family (for more details, see here on my personal blog). 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” At different stages of life, the needs of our families are different. At times, (as I wrote about earlier here), there is an inherent tension between investing in eternity overseas on the mission field, and investing in eternity by providing for the material, emotional, or spiritual needs of your family.

I suppose there are some whose ministry success, in terms of “nickels and noses,” just continues to grow greater and greater. Over the course of most of our lives, however, I believe there are 5-talent moments, 2-talent moments, and 1-talent moments. Independently of the opportunities and circumstances God sends our way, or allows to come into our lives, though, the main thing I want to hear when I get to heaven is: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.”

During the past several months, leadership at the IMB has been involved in discussions regarding changes in strategy and administrative structure. From what I understand, a big factor underlying these discussions is a desire to be the best stewards possible of a pool of financial resources that, judging by recent trends, does not show signs of keeping up with human resources.

Personally, I don’t think God is limited in His ability to provide for our needs nor to continue to see to it that His plan for the redemption of the world moves forward according to schedule. Nor do I think that His plan for the evangelization of Spain depends on my wife’s and my physical presence there. I don’t even think that the evangelization of the world depends on us as Southern Baptists.

He is looking for all of us to be faithful, though, and to be the best stewards possible in the particular situations He allows in our lives. I believe that, quite possibly, at this moment in history, He may be putting us to a test. In the midst of great prosperity and a booming economy, we have been relatively generous in our support of world missions and other charitable causes. As it looks like we may now be passing from a time of “fat cows” to “lean cows,” will we continue to trust in the One who takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field to provide for our needs? Will we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness? Or will we bury our talents in the ground, afraid of what might possibly happen?

It is my hope that this Christmas, as Southern Baptists, we may prove the pundits wrong. I am glad that IMB leadership is taking steps to help us be better stewards of the resources He entrusts us with. But I believe God would be honored if we were to also demonstrate our trust in Him by giving more than ever before this year to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the many other worthy causes He brings across our paths.

One last thing. As today is officially Blog Action Day for Poverty, I don’t see it as out of place to throw in a reminder that there are billions around the world who will never ever be in a situation in which they have the “luxury” to worry about the state of their portfolio or their retirement plan. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” There are many wonderful ways to invest in eternity by helping them out. I believe that one of the best is through the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund. As the excellent informational website states:

* Only the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund uses 100% of all contributions to feed hungry people. (Personnel are already in place; thus, administrative and promotional costs are borne out of other budgets.)

* When Southern Baptists give food, they are there for the long haul, desiring to plant churches and make disciples for Jesus Christ. Our desire is to build relationships with people and eventually lead them to a relationship with Christ.

* The Good News of salvation through Christ is always foundational. Whenever possible, the plan of salvation is shared and an opportunity to respond is given.

* In emergency situations, food aid must be given. But when possible, hunger ministries are designed to create independence from rather than dependence on food aid.