Maybe you are…or maybe you could be?
“The Rich Missionary” is not a reference to any person past or present, but rather to the idea that a follower of Christ can be both rich in the Spirit, rich in generously, and also possibility rich in resources.
Wealth has often been mischaracterized as synonymous with a luxurious lifestyle. Many dedicated Christ followers would not dare to call themselves rich or pursue wealth because of the idea that wealth and sacrifice cannot coexist. Nothing could be further from the truth. The New Testament gospels and epistles document a number of financially prosperous followers who contributed greatly to the early church.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve both God and money. In many Christan circles, money is a taboo subject; and one that if discussed is subject to intense scrutiny and judgement. Why would the Bible contain over 2000 references to money if our Lord does not intend for money to be of considerable interest to believers? It’s time to rip the bandage off and get real about money.
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
Matthew 25:26-27 (The Parable of the Talents)
The parable of the talents is not about money; it’s about the lives of every believer. Followers of Christ are expected to multiply themselves–to make new disciples and to influence other believers on the commands of God. Multiplying money should always be secondary to multiplying disciples, after all, Jesus did not tell Peter to become a fisher of money, but rather a fisher of men.
The goal of The Rich Missionary to pursue living to the fullest for God’s glory. Since God has entrusted believers with material resources which they are required to manage, they are tasked with responsible stewardship of money. At minimum, let’s put whatever little we have on deposit with the bankers!
