I was reading Luke last night when I came across some verses that reminded me why we’re raising support.
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. – Luke 8:1-3
As I was reading this I was struck by how Christ allowed His earthly ministry of proclaiming the gospel to be supported by the finances of a number of well off women who provided the for Him and the disciples out of their own means. It seemed to me that Christ would be the last person who would rely on the gifts of others to provide for Him. Indeed Christ demonstrated that there were no needs He could not meet Himself. Christ did not need anyone to give him food for He could multiply loaves to feed thousands. He had no need of shelter for He could command the wind and the weather. He had no need for money for He could pull coins out of the mouths of fishes. Yet as He went out preaching, He chose to rely on the generosity of these women. Why?
A better question would be why not? What better thing could these women possibly put their money towards? If God had blessed them with the ability to give, why should He withhold from them the opportunity? Undoubtedly the very reason God had gifted them with these finances was so that they could use them to further the kingdom of God.
We will be going to Japan to participate in the fulfillment of Christ’s last command to His people before leaving the earth. We will go to be involved in a similar ministry to His; proclaiming the gospel, making disciples and starting churches. And we will go with a similar support structure, relying upon the generosity of saints who realize that the very reason God has blessed them with finances is so that they can fund Christ’s work, for the glory of God.
So to all of our supporters, thank you for joining us in this ministry. Thank you for faithfully supporting the work of ministry as God has enabled and called you to do. Thank you for your partnership and prayers. Even as we are still on the early stages of embarking upon this particular ministry, I can’t wait to see what the end of it will be like, and what great things our Lord will do through the work of His people.