Monday 23 April 2018

A few brief thoughts on money ...


One thing I love about living on the “mission field” (aka. in Africa) is that, unlike many people, we get to witness/be a part of the direct impact of your missions dollars. I think I sometimes take for granted how cool that is!

Just today, we were sitting and chatting with a doctor friend who daily sees patients impacted by your dollars. While he is able to buy medications and provide extremely knowledgeable counsel to some of the poorest, sickest people in Angola … local clinics and hospitals lack even basic necessities. And it’s thanks to donors like you that he can do his work! Just recently, he recounted seeing a boy with such extreme malaria that he arrived in a coma. The boy recovered … but not without a severe complication of malaria—he began to lose complete blood circulation in his toes and teeth (extremities). His toes were in need of amputation … but the family didn’t have the money to send him to Lubango for surgery! So … in a life-saving move … Dr. Tim offered to cover the MAF flight to Lubango through his ministry funds! The boy received the surgery he needed and is likely to make a very good recovery! From death to life!

Dr. Tim flies all next week with MAF to some of the most under-served clinics in eastern Angola. Marcel has been working intense hours to prep the planes for this journey, since they will put in a lot of flight hours and won’t be able to undergo maintenance for an entire week. While the work is extensive, the hours spent chatting with Tim about his medical ministry certainly help us realize why we are here—to provide basic human dignity!

I’ve been pondering money lately, and how, sadly controlling money can be. Whether you are a slave to money because you work, work, work to afford all the greatest things … or you are a slave to money because you just don’t have enough … there’s no doubt that for any human, anywhere on the earth, money would likely rank somewhere in the top five “daily worries”. How sad is that?
Even here in Angola—where I feel incredibly rich compared to some people—I am not freed from the temptation of money. Some days, we worry more than we should about money. God knows our needs! Other days, I find myself thinking that money is the solution to all problems here in Angola—and it’s not, thankfully! A saving relationship with Jesus is worth infinitely more than any charity! Other days, I wish for more money or wish that things cost less. Money grips our thoughts when it shouldn’t!

Yet, God, in his wisdom, has provided a remedy for our tendency to have an idolatrous attitude about money. As I read in my morning devotional, “Giving [money] away breaks the grip of greed, teaches us to trust and obey God, and is an avenue through which treasure can be stored up in heaven.” And this I know to be so true! There’s something so freeing about sharing wealth and giving generously.
So to tie it all together—if you feel like you are a slave to money, may I suggest a beautiful remedy? Missions. Find a place where you can give of your money, whether directly or indirectly, and experience the blessing of sharing your wealth. It doesn’t have to be MAF, or Angola—but rest assured, I know a few good people who could use your help, if you’re interested! J

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