Missions and Money

Partially adapted from Missions and Money

Jonathan BonkDr. Robert Patton

Missionary to Suriname, South America

Bonk – Basic concepts

Western missionaries are wealthy in contrast to those around them in most contexts overseas

The Bible talks to the wealthy – and although the missionary is not wealthy in the USA, he is in his target country, and the Bible speaks to him

Basic concepts

Gross economic inequality in those with close social proximity may bring a lot of trouble

Christian faith is not lived in isolation. It is a relational faith lived out in relational and social context

Basic concepts: Missionary adaptation

Some just associate with their social and cultural equals

Some shift the debate to dependency

Some have a simple lifestyle but still maintain their benefits of medical care, transportation, etc.

Some live incarnationally, giving up privilege and living as nationals

Another alternative

Live as the righteous rich – giving generously to meet the needs of those less fortunate

The problem is increasing

The difference in lifestyle 100 or 200 years ago was perhaps 3:1 between the poor and the rich

The difference now may be as high as 70:1

Mostly it is the Catholic priests or nuns who have lived in the slums in an incarnational living style

Wrong attitudes of missionaries

19th century – this discrepancy was considered inevitable because of the superiority of the western missionary and his culture

Considered providential = white man’s burden

Many felt colonialism was God’s way to spread the gospel.

Wrong attitude of superiority

British felt that they had an empire because they had the best Christianity

They felt that the power of the gospel was shown in adopting western ideas

This was largely rejected after World War I & II. Now largely secular science, education, technology is seen as superior

Britain & Europe – declining Christianity

Rationale for missionary affluence

Economic – cheapest missionaries are those who stay longest on the field – need proper food and housing. In fact, missionary mortality is now like pastors in the USA

31% withdraw from ill health 15 % withdraw from death

Rationale for missionary affluence

Economic – cheapest missionaries are those who stay longest on the field – need proper food and housing. In fact, missionary mortality is now like pastors in the USA

31% withdraw from ill health 15 % withdraw from death

Rationale for missionary affluence

Care of family – especially education for the children

Social – fit into cultural expectations

Strategic – funds needed for things like education

Relational costs of missionary affluence

Missionaries may be isolated from the trials of others – teaching nationals to trust the Lord

Social isolation – partly because of the USA love of independence

Economic disparity may lead to sense of superiority and special privileges

Relational costs…

Affluence causes a social gulf, especially in close relationships

Affluence can lead to distrust Affluence can lead to envy and

hostility, especially from those that do the same work

Strategic costs

Missionaries may depend on expensive technology appropriate only for a western culture

It may be difficult for nationals to maintain such technology in the absence of the missionary

Discrepancy may make partnership more difficult

Strategic costs

Affluence may result in strategies which may not effectively reach the poor

Theological issues

Can a secure missionary teach about simplicity, generosity, contentment and the sacrifice in discipleship?

What about the sin of greed – both in the missionary and the poor.

Some believe the west is driven by greed, avarice, gluttony, envy, luxury, and pride…

The Bible and wealth

I Tim. 6:[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

The Bible and wealth

I Tim. 6: [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

The Bible and wealth

I Tim. 6: [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

What about dependency on God and prayer?

Deut 6: [11] And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;[12] Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

What about dependency on God and prayer?

Deut 8:[10] When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.[11] Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his command-ments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

This was satan’s attitude in the king of Tyre

Ezekiel 28:[4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

True incarnation and the cross

Renounce: status, independence, and immunity

Trevor Verryn: “Only the truly strong are able to lay aside their power in an act of self-emptying and assume a position of powerlessness.”

Summary of problems

Preoccupation with possessions Reliance upon power-based status

and strategy Double standards of ethics Remember – missionaries are

teachers, and will be judged more strictly according to James 3:1

It is true that

Sometimes the rich are righteous – Job, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph of Aramathea, Nicodemus

Sometimes the poor are to blame for their poverty – Solomon looking at a broken down farm

Private property is OK

But

A man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions

Wealth does not bring happiness The year of Jubilee prevented the

indefinite accumulation of money The sabbatical year cared for the

poor and animals

But…

Loans with no interest, and collateral was only temporary

Gleaning was to leave things for the poor

Debts cancelled every 7 years Employees were paid promptly

Spiritual dangers with wealth and prosperity

We may feel that we can safely ignore or forget God – we don’t need him. See Deut. 8:1-20

We may have a false sense of security: Proverbs 18:[11] The rich man's wealth

is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.[12] Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Wealth and security can be enemies of humility

Jeremiah 9:[23] Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:[24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understand-eth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Wealth can…

Distort our judgment. Proverbs 28:[11] The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

Wealth can…

Interfere with our repentance: Isaiah 22:[12] And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:[13] And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

Wealth can lead to

Overindulgence Glutton Greed Abuse of personal power by

mistreating the weak and contempt for the poor. See Solomon and Rehoboam misusing the people; Ahab murdering Naboth…

Wealthy have bad priorities

In Isaiah 5:7-23, the prophet describes how the wealthy are eager for the sabbath to finish so that they can get back to making money.

They mix up evil and good, darkness and light

The western world calls greed, gluttony and covetousness virtues!

Godliness and contentment are great gain….

In their trip through the wilderness, Israel often had limited but adequate food, and barely enough water. Yet when they complained, God said that they would not enter into His rest (Psalm 95:10-11)

Some compromise their message to please the rich – not prophetic voice

Often in the OT, wealth and prosperity come to the evil

Brutality, disobedience, injustice often occur. Egyptian wealth was built on slavery. Canaan was wealthy but immoral. Sodom was wealthy but corrupt.

See Psalm 37, where the psalmist struggles but sees the future…

The rich may fail to help the poor like they should

Lazarus and the rich man The tithes for the poor Don’t glean your fields again but

leave them for the poor

it is possible to have too much as well as too little

Proverbs 30:[8] Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:[9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Personal gain first = spiritual bankruptcy

Lot – wanted to keep all the best land for himself. His later life was a total disaster, and he lost what he wanted

Eli – thought of his belly and his boys more than God’s honor

God aligns Himself consistently with the poor

Israel vs. Egypt Jesus not only came for the poor

but came as one of the poor God is against those who

oppress or even neglect the poor: Job 31:16-28

True righteousness

Obedience is concerned with the needs of the poor

Not simply religious rites or pious platitudes

A good example is Nehemiah when the poor were oppressed. He forced the rich to return lands and release slaves. The opposite occurred in Judah during Nebuchadnessar’s seige – they did it, and then reverted back…

True giving to God

Something we genuinely value, not just our surplus or discards. Example of Mary anointing Jesus. Jn. 12:[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

True giving to God

[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

True giving to God

[7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.[8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

True giving to God

Malachi 1:6-14 shows that they were giving second class offerings, and God was not impressed. Human rulers would not be impressed, and He is a GREAT God who deserves great offerings…[6] A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear?

True giving to God

Malachi 1:6b saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?[7] Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

True economic repentance

Is costly and most people, including religious ones, do not repent. They will usually do away with the preacher and find another who is easier on their lives

The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel have much to say about economic justice, but the people rejected their message

Goods and money and security are not top values

Mt. 6:[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:[20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What is truly important

Phil. 3:[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

What is truly important

Phil. 3:[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Paul, the man for one thing

Phil. 3:[13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,[14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

Sharing possessions is a NT virtue

James 3:[14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?[15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,….

Sharing possessions is a NT virtue

James 3:[16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

A surprising contrast

Wealth and prosperity are often a sign of greed, and poverty and hardship may be the result of obedience to God

Wealth often is associated with mistreatment of the poor, preoccupation with self, and spiritual impotence. Zacheus was unrighteous but wealthy, but repented and gave much of his fortune away

Luke 6:

[20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.[21] Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.[22] Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Luke 6: [23] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for

joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.[24] But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.[25] Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.[26] Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Remember the contrast

The rich young ruler was lost: Mt. 19:23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.[24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Remember the contrast

The rich young ruler was lost: Mt. 19:25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?[26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Luke 12

[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12

[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.[34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.