Missouri Missions Offering

“Like many others, my personal story is profoundly linked to Missouri Baptists. I was raised, baptized, licensed, and ordained in Missouri Baptist churches. I met my wife at an associational youth event. My degree is from a Missouri Baptist institution. In my family tree are teachers, deacons and worship leaders of Missouri Baptist churches. Today, I am the pastor of a great Missouri Baptist congregation. In short, I have benefitted firsthand from the generosity and faithfulness of Missouri Baptists. That’s why I support the MMO. I believe in Missouri Baptists, and in what we can accomplish for the Kingdom when we partner together. — Josh Hall, pastor, Selmore Baptist Church, Ozark

“From Me to Missouri”

By Josh Hall
Pastor, Selmore Baptist Church, Ozark

Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NKJV)

Introduction/Background

The theme of this year’s Missouri Missions Offering is “From Me to Missouri.” This theme reminds us it is good for us to give to Kingdom work outside of our local context. Perhaps the best Scriptural example of this was a group of Christians that lived in another region that starts with the letter “M”—Macedonia! Here is their story…

At the time of the apostle Paul’s third missionary journey, scholars tell us the city of Jerusalem was overpopulated and famine stricken. The church at Jerusalem was not exempt, and was struggling. Thus, as Paul made his way from church to church around the Mediterranean, he took up a collection at each stop to aid the believers at Jerusalem (see 1 Cor 16:1-3).

As Paul traveled from region to region, there was one group of churches in particular that stood out due to the excellent spirit in which they gave—the churches of Macedonia. In our text today, the apostle Paul challenges the church at Corinth to pattern its giving after the churches of Macedonia. As we consider our own church’s giving to the MMO, let this text be our challenge as well. Let’s see what we can learn from the Macedonians…

The first lesson we learn from the churches of Macedonia, is to give sacrificially.

Paul says the Macedonians not only gave according to their ability, but beyond their ability (v3). In other words, they gave until they “felt it!” This was inspite of the fact that they were deeply impoverished (v2).

Many of us in these economic times can sympathize with the Macedonians when it comes to money being tight. Nevertheless, God wants us to practice sacrificial giving, just like they did. In fact, we are never more like Jesus than when we sacrifice for others.

What specific thing are you willing to sacrifice to contribute to Kingdom work in Missouri? (i.e. one meal eating out with the family, a trip to the movies, a new pair of shoes, etc.) All too often our attitude is that “it hurts to give,” when our attitude should be “let’s give until it hurts!”

The second lesson we learn from the churches of Macedonia, is to give from a free will.

While Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give, he also made clear they were to give freely like the Macedonians (v3), and not out of obligation. (See also 9:7)

It is important for us to remember that God owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” In other words, He does not need anything from man to advance His Kingdom, including our money. However, He does love and bless our offerings when they are given from a willing heart.

As you give to the MMO, please do not give anything “grudgingly or out of necessity.” Give the amount the Holy Spirit lays on your heart, and then rejoice that by the grace of God (v1) you are able to play a small part in His redemptive plan for the people of Missouri.

The third lesson we learn from the churches of Macedonia, is to give with a sense of passion and urgency.

Paul noted that the Macedonians “implored them with much urgency” to receive their gift (v4). One translation puts v4 this way, “They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God’s people.”

Most of us have probably never begged or asked for the offering plate to be passed! However, when it comes to giving to Kingdom work, we should have the Macedonians’ sense of passion and urgency!

As it pertains to the MMO, our passion should be for God to be glorified among all the people of Missouri. He is worthy! Our urgency should stem from the fact that Christ will soon return, and many in our state have not yet heard or responded to the Gospel.

The fourth lesson we learn from the churches of Macedonia, is to give with the proper perspective.

The Macedonians didn’t merely view their offering as a financial transaction. They also considered it a gesture of fellowship (v4). By sending their gift to the church at Jerusalem, the Macedonians expressed their unity with, and love for, their fellow believers in that city.
In like manner, when our church gives to the MMO, we demonstrate our unity with, and love for, the nearly 2,000 churches across our state that make up the Missouri Baptist family. Among these churches is great diversity. Some are rural; some are metropolitan. Some are small; some are large. Some are traditional; some are cutting edge.

But despite our surface-level differences, cooperative efforts like the MMO remind us that at the end of the day we are all on the same team, serving the same Lord, working toward the same goal of transforming our communities with the Gospel! When we give from this perspective, it strengthens our collective fellowship and effectiveness.

The fifth lesson we learn from the churches of Macedonia, and perhaps the most important lesson, is to first give ourselves fully to God, and then give our money.

While Paul lifted up the Macedonians as the prime example of godly giving, he also made a point to say that they first gave themselves to the Lord (v5). The truth is that before God wants your giving, He wants you. Before God wants your offerings, He wants your heart. (See Psalm 51:16-17)

As you prayerfully consider what God would have you to give to the MMO, please also inspect your heart. Have you repented of your sin and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, have you publicly professed your faith through baptism? Are you taking steps to grow in your faith? Are you living each and every day as a missionary for Jesus?

If your answer is “no” to any of these questions, do whatever is necessary to give yourself fully to God. Then you will be ready to give an offering that is worthy of the cause of Christ, and pleasing in the sight of God. Amen

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