When Missions Costs – And Four Times When God Provides

“Mom, I need $2700.00 in three days,” she calls from across the ocean.

“What? We already sacrificed so much for the first part of this mission? O.k., I guess we’ll just take it from saving.”  I think to myself, but say nothing.

After all, she is eighteen. What does she really know about the reality of finances? Or does she remember that time we needed six-hundred more dollars to take our family on a mission’s trip to Guatemala; getting our shoes on to go to the bank, a check showing up at our front door at that exact moment, for $1000.00.

Maybe it was me that needed faith, trusting the same big God my teenager sees clearly?

“Don’t worry Mom, I am going to get the money.  I just know it.”

And I get that she is determined, worked hard to save and fund-raise, and now believes that God will provide…but $2700 in three days?

And sometimes when we feel called to “go”, and we wonder if God will financially equip us; we can hesitate and doubt, or even miss the call all together because we fail to trust the caretaker of the sparrow, the keeper of the lilies. 

We can forget that Jehovah Jireh, our provider, is the title given to our Savior.

And we can wonder if what scripture tells us is true, God really will provide all our needs, according to His riches and glory.  We can sit idly by and wait, or we can trust what scripture tells us about God providing as we live missionally His calling through us:

1)     God provides as we follow His leading and step out in willing obedience. Often we want to see the way before starting the journey.  But remember the Israelites?  It wasn’t until they left Egypt that God revealed His provision. i.e. Water from a rock, parting the seas, manna from heaven. You get the picture. (John 15:16, 1 John 3:22)

2)     God provides as we abide, seek, and keep Him the focus of our lives. No good thing can grow apart from the vine. He is the vine, we are the branches. John 15:7 tells us, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (Hebrews 11:6, Matt 6:33)

3)     God provides when we walk by faith and not by sight. This wouldn’t be a “walk of faith” life if everything made logical sense. As Christians we are called to step out of the boat, simply because Jesus is leading us. Scripture is filled with stories like the Centurion, having great faith, seeing great healing. And yet I think sometimes, we forget that Jesus was more than a man, He was both our provider and our healer. (Matt 8:5-13, Mark 11:24, Matt 21:22)

4)     God provides when we trust His character and lean on His goodness, character, and understanding.  When we have a right view of God, when we learn He is for us and not against us, everything changes. (Phil 4:19, Luke 12:24, Matt 7:11, Rom 8:32)

And although God is far from a genie or some distant Santa Claus we write “want-lists” to….sometimes we go to the opposite extreme and live as if God has no power at all.

I get a text; a donation of $1000 from someone unexpected; then $100 and another $100, over and over again this happens, continually without stopping.  Some people giving twice, other donations from people who have never given anything in their life. Some from teachers, pastors, people who we never imagined might give at all.  

Yes, a miracle. 

$2280 in three short days donated to my daughter who had the kind of faith that truly moves mountains.

Missions costs, yes; but walking humbly, a life of faith, God just might bless us far greater than anything we might ever have dreamed.

Will you trust Him to provide as you live missionally, His calling for your life? 

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook. 

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