For over 35 years, one of my favorite giving targets is that of giving to world missions. My wife and I have consistently given to missionaries, missions projects and charities…and to some of the same ones since the beginning. Great opportunities to give in these areas are available through your local church and of course directly to the missionary or organization.

My local church is City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon. Our missions Pastors are Bob and Sharon Wagar. Pastor Bob handles much of the world missions, while Pastor Sharon oversees the multi-cultural community in the metro area. If you are interested in giving to this endeavor, I am providing a link to CBC’s online giving opportunity.

Click Here

Outside of my own country, is a world much different than the world that I enjoy. In this world are needs that are not seen in the U.S.A. Some of these needs I have seen first hand. From China to Indonesia, Korea to the Netherlands, Austria to Germany, England to France, and from Latin America to the Caribbean, much poverty exists. I have been in these places, as well as to 25 countries of the world. In these countries the very rich live with the very poor. In many cases there is a very small economic middle class of people.

There is a biblical principle for giving to the needy. It is found in I John 3:17. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him”.

It is pretty clear that we do carry some responsibility to help others who are less fortunate and more needy, including those outside our immediate spear of influence. This is something not to be taken lightly. If our attitude is one of hoarding what we have, God will stop giving to us. I believe that if we are ever going to be financially free, we must allow God to use us as a conduit in which to bless others. The needs of others must be met by our generous giving. If we are open and generous with the things God has provided us, God will bless us in a great way.

Christians must understand that the lesson of stewardship is found in returning to God all that He has provided and entrusted to our care. Failure to give back to God what He has generously given to us is to be condemned. Maturing in Christ means to develop a growing spirit of generosity and a willingness to share.

Would you join me in giving above the tithe? In your offerings, please don’t forget the cause of world missions.

Content © Rich Brott, 2011

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