“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-12 ESV
http://bible.com/59/2co.9.6-12.esv
Since the beginning, we have depended on God to supply our needs. He has been and always will be Faithful and True, that is His name (Rev 19:11). It continues to be an amazing journey as we continually learn to trust and wait on Him. I firmly believe and have witnessed the Holy Spirit speak to people He has called to give. As Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 9, God inspires us where He wants us to give. Our service to God is always out of obedience and joy (John 15).
Our trust is therefore not in man, but, in God for everything. Jesus is very clear in Matthew 6. We are not to worry about food or clothing. As we seek Him and His Kingdom first, God will take care of everything else. One of the biggest obstacles to our faith today is mass communications. I have observed people literally fundraising for whatever they want, regardless of God’s activity. If there is a problem, a large need, the question should not be how, but, why. Our response should be prayer, intense prayer, not mass communications. We sometimes think that God needs our help. We need Him. If He breathed all that we see into existence, then why do we think that anything is too difficult for Him or that we must devise plans to assist God. I am reminded of the stories of Moses, Gideon, Abraham, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul and many others.
There is a story of a man, George Muller, as copied from Wikipedia. “George Müller (born Johann Georg Ferdinand Müller, 27 September 1805 – 10 March 1898), a Christian evangelist and the director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England. He cared for 10,024[1] orphans during his lifetime[2] and provided educational opportunities for the orphans to the point that he was even accused by some of raising the poor above their natural station in British life. He established 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000 children, many of whom were orphans.
Through all this, Müller never made requests for financial support, nor did he go into debt, even though the five homes cost more than £100,000 to build. Many times, he received unsolicited food donations only hours before they were needed to feed the children, further strengthening his faith in God. Müller was in constant prayer that God touch the hearts of donors to make provisions for the orphans. For example, on one well-documented occasion, thanks was given for breakfast when all the children were sitting at the table even though there was nothing to eat in the house. As they finished praying, the baker knocked on the door with sufficient fresh bread to feed everyone, and the milkman gave them plenty of fresh milk because his cart broke down in front of the orphanage.[12]
Not receiving government support and only accepting unsolicited gifts, this organization received and disbursed £1,381,171[1] – around £90 million in today's terms[7] – by the time of Müller's death, primarily using the money for supporting the orphanages and distributing about 285,407 Bibles,[1] 1,459,506 New Testaments,[1] and 244,351 other religious texts,[1] which were translated into twenty other languages.[8] The money was also used to support other "faith missionaries" around the world, such as Hudson Taylor.[9] The work continues to this day."
Yes, the ministry started by God, through George Muller, over 182 years ago, is still reaching out in Jesus’ Name - today. So, why not us. If God can do what He has done through others, HE can do it here. Submitted to His heart and His calling we pray and wait for Him to answer.
This is why you will not hear from me about our needs. God knows our needs. He will communicate them to you as He inspires you - speaks to you. When people give out of compulsion it creates remorse. We never want to pressure anyone to give. We only pray that God direct your hearts where He desires. If you have questions about some need, don't hesitate to ask. But, we leave the initiation of that conversation to you and Jesus.
So, we solicit and thank you for your prayers, not your pocket.
God Bless You,
Philip Jones
Volunteer and Servant
ISA117 Ministries
