18 In Closing.

(18) In Closing.

In the past I was challenged by different people to write a book about my experiences. A number of times I began, at first I tried to put my gospel message at the end; thereafter I thought of an allegory after every story. Each time, my mind seemed to get into knots and I gave up; this time it went much better (there was help from above). I was able to use some of my experiences.

All the time I was thinking of marketing it as a book so that I could make a few cents out of it. I am an old age pensioner and our old age pension here in our country (about the equivalent of $ 135 per month) does not reach far, while it costs more and more to live (and plenty to die). It is also a blessing to have something wherewith to help others materially also, Now my concern is to get the message out.

From the side of being a missionary we were taught; and also realized for ourselves; that it can weaken our testimony (that God is real and that He does, and will, supply all our need) if we asked for funding; so we refrain from doing so. There is however another aspect about giving as to the Lord; which we find in Malachi 3:10-12. What a blessing to see you blessed; how sad to see you as in Mal 3:14; what a joy to you and to us, when you are among those mentioned in Mal 3:16-18. That is not all; it is a sign of you bearing fruit.

We do accept gifts from a cheerful giver because God loves such a one (we would not like gifts from a grudging giver). We are glad when givers give; especially to the Mission; it is a sign of them bearing fruit (John the Baptist speaks of the fruitless tree being chopped off in Matthew 3:10). If a giver however specifies that we should use it for ourselves then we feel free to do that or to help beginners therewith (in the work we as individual do).

That about giving is also part of the message; because it is so important that once God is able to bless you; you need to bear fruit; and giving in something material is so easy for a beginning (easy to do). How do we want to do the more difficult if we can’t do the easy?