“The world has come to America”…perhaps there has never been a time in history when that statement has been more true. We are a mosaic of peoples from countless nations and tribes around the globe. Recent statistics suggest at least 11.5% of the population is foreign-born. Add to that a total of a half-million international students and 22 million foreign tourists each year and you begin to realize that our nation is the gateway to the world.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of the opportunity to touch the lives of those from around “the world.” He strategically traveled to cities on trade routes, to those with political, economic and spiritual influence. Why? Because immigrants, travelers and tourists passed through such places. If the Gospel impacted their lives, they would take it with them, wherever else they went.
In 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 Paul concludes a section of teaching about the need for generosity in helping the church in Jerusalem. He used the Macedonian church as an example of one who had followed through on their similar commitment and challenged the Corinthian church to do the same. Paul points out that if we are going to reach the world at our doorstep, we have to join together and do our part. In these few verses he suggests three things that each one of us can do.
First, he tells us we can pray (12, 14). He reminds the Corinthians that the prayers of the Jerusalem church will go out to them because of the difference their participation can make. In so doing, he challenges them to be the same kind of pray-ers…passionate, zealous, grateful. Their prayers, and our, need to be just as heart-felt, just as affectionate, just as thankfulfor what God has done and still desires to do through us. Our prayers need to be more “other-centered,” more intercessory…more concerned about the lost and unreached than just about our own needs and concerns. This is one of the marks of spiritual maturity and it signals our desire to be used in reaching the world at our doorstep.
Second, we can give (13). The Corinthian church is reminded that giving comes from a generous heart; a spirit which recognizes God’s grace in giving us what we don’t deserve, including ultimately His Son (15). This same generosity is to characterize our lives as His children, knowing that God who gives all good gifts never runs out of resources with which He can assist us. We are called to be a blessing to others! So when we can be generous with our money, our resources, or maybe more importantly our time, we need to offer it for Kingdom purposes. Rest assured, when we do God will take care of us (Matthew 6:33). The question really is: what have you done for someone else today, or any day?
Finally, we can “confess” (13). The word is used to declare, announce or proclaim our agreement with God about his Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession, not a private one. It is a confession that elicits a response based on our obedience. It is a confession that takes place as we share with others the hope that is within us. It is a confession that is seen also in the demonstration of our lives, as we serve others so that they too can experience the love of Christ, which motivates us to live life to the fullest.
Annie Armstrong (1850-1938) was one of the early pioneers in our faith tradition that saw the way that each of us could do our part to reach the world at our doorstep. She even realized why this opportunity had come our way. At one point she wrote the following:
Men and means were not forthcoming fast enough for the great work of foreign missions, so God turned the stream this way and sent great masses of the unevangelized to come in contact with Christians.
As a result, she poured her life into praying, giving and confessing the Gospel of Christ as she had opportunity. The legacy of her life continues to affect and impact us today.
So I remind us again: the world is outside our door…it’s all around us today. Take a look. Pray for them with passion and thanksgiving. Give generously to bless them with your life and resources. Confess before them your love for God by serving them and sharing the Good News when you can.
What will our contribution be?
Moving at the Speed of God 