Giving For The Greatest Need
by
John Grubb, missionary with Truth For The World
In this recent disaster we have heard reports of billions of dollars that have been donated by countries and individuals around the world, and of course, our own brethren have made large contributions to help with needed relief. And, we mention again, needed relief! What has happened to those affected in the various states is truly tragic.
Once again it brings to mind our brethren rallying to help with those who were affected by Hurricane Andrew and the flooding of the Mississippi River in 1992 and 1993. Damage for both of these natural disasters was estimated in the area of $35 billion. Seventy six people were killed in these two natural disasters. Help in these circumstances was something we needed to do. Just as in the case of this recent hurricane, millions of people were affected by these tragedies.
It was just late last year and early this year that billions were contributed for those who suffered as a result of the tidal wave in Southeast Asia. Again, brethren came to the assistance of those in need.
In the Lord’s church in modern times, it seems to be relatively easy to raise funds for benevolence, for the physical, temporary needs of people, but very difficult to raise funds for evangelism, which deals with the eternal souls of people in the world. Why is that brethren?
Why is it we can raise
funds to provide food, clothing, housing, etc., i.e. physical needs, but we
cannot get the funds to carry the Gospel to the whole world as Jesus commanded
to provide for spiritual needs (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15,16)? It is a constant
effort to continue to find the funds to keep all of the other aspects of our
work going as well.
This is not only true of the work of Truth for the World, but it is also true of
many other worthy efforts designed to reach the billions of lost people in this
world. Isn’t it a shame we can raise millions of dollars for benevolence on
almost a moment’s notice, but cannot receive sufficient funds in an entire year
to help save the souls of the lost?
Let’s continue to remember the real purpose of benevolence and determine to do everything we can in every area of our responsibility in fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ.