Here's an excerpt from a needed post over at Radical.net The author is writing about living simply with material goods among a jungle people group they would present with the Gospel. The first indented words are from a local believer who was reflecting on his view and encouragement for the missionaries...
There's just so much to this, and it's not only about reaching a jungle tribe with the Gospel. There's the element of how our own hearts are lassoed towards dependence in God if we are choosing to not depend on stuff for security, comfort, happiness, status. There's the great demonstration to everyone who sees us that we are living not according to this world's system or for this world's reward. We can evidence an actual belief in heaven if we show that we're more concerned for other's eternity than we are for our present reality (in this fallen world! which is more important!?) We can show that we're not taking our happiness or joy in stuff (that will all burn.) There's a holy heap of good reasons that we, the church (not just missionaries) should consider living as humbly as we can beautifully serve others. I love all this, and yet I know that there's still much room for the Lord to work this humility and stuff-severing in my heart. I want the Lord to continually work in us to draw us down, make us dependent on Him and make His grace the thing that shines out of our lives as great.... not out income, our fashion, our status markers in this world. May it be, Lord, all for your glory!
There's just so much to this, and it's not only about reaching a jungle tribe with the Gospel. There's the element of how our own hearts are lassoed towards dependence in God if we are choosing to not depend on stuff for security, comfort, happiness, status. There's the great demonstration to everyone who sees us that we are living not according to this world's system or for this world's reward. We can evidence an actual belief in heaven if we show that we're more concerned for other's eternity than we are for our present reality (in this fallen world! which is more important!?) We can show that we're not taking our happiness or joy in stuff (that will all burn.) There's a holy heap of good reasons that we, the church (not just missionaries) should consider living as humbly as we can beautifully serve others. I love all this, and yet I know that there's still much room for the Lord to work this humility and stuff-severing in my heart. I want the Lord to continually work in us to draw us down, make us dependent on Him and make His grace the thing that shines out of our lives as great.... not out income, our fashion, our status markers in this world. May it be, Lord, all for your glory!
Mis3ionaries should be thinking about the future church that will be born.
When the gospel is taught clearly in our heart languages and the Holy Spirit saves souls, that’s when we see everything that you have said and done with clear eyes—because we understand why. Now, when the Lord asks us to do without or to do hard things and walk to far off villages for the sake of the gospel, we will have your pattern as an example. Missionaries need to ask God for help to live like we live. If you build and work with only your family in mind and you bring many things from your culture to live with you and you love those things, you will make decisions that will separate you from us, the ones you came to reach.
There is no right formula for simple living among the unreached, or at home for that matter. It is a matter of the heart, including our personal convictions and our strategies of suffering. However, we should all take inventory occasionally and ask ourselves if our living standards and our “stuff,” which will soon be wood, hay and stubble ( ), are playing a larger role in our daily lives and decisions than the urgency and eternity of the gospel. As the Lord leads you to suffer the infringements of your own rights, the flesh will protest and others may misunderstand, but we have Christ and His joy for our example as we move toward Him in obedience.
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