ANSWERING TOUGH QUESTIONS
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| The Crocketts are thrilled to see the Moi believers respond to God`s teaching on giving. |
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December 4, 2007
by Ian Fallis
Kendaya opened a big can of worms with a simple observation about his time in a nearby city.
Chatting with his fellow Moi believers in Indonesia and missionary Steve Crockett, he mentioned that when he went to church, they passed around a plate that people put money in.
Piyato said he had seen the same thing when he went to church in the city, and he wasn't sure what to do because he wasn't sure the practice came from God's Word.
This was followed, of course, by everyone turning to Steve, their local expert on God's Word, and a period of silence as Steve formulated what he should say. Of course, in Steve's culture -- our culture -- there are a variety of teachings on giving, and some vehement proponents and opponents of each. How could Steve possibly know what to say?
Actually, Steve knew what to say years before this conversation ever came up. He knew because missionaries are often in similar situations, and New Tribes Mission's specialized training prepared him.
Rather than tell the Moi believers what they needed to do, Steve talked with them about some of the things God's Word says about giving -- not telling them what that means, but giving them the opportunity to listen to His Word and His Spirit and decide for themselves what to do.
The Mois decided to immediately start pooling their money to celebrate Jesus' birth together.
Now, the point is not that you should tell your pastor to turn over last week's offering so you can beef up this year's Christmas potluck. The Mois will over time learn a lot more about giving, just as we all do. And the point is, they'll learn what God's Word says, and then have the freedom that He gives us all to apply that with the wisdom the Holy Spirit gives all believers.
And the Moi church will be just that -- the church that worships God among the Mois, in a uniquely Moi fashion.
At New Tribes Bible Institute, students are learning what God's Word says. At the Missionary Training Center, missionary candidates are acquiring the skills they need to be part of the team planting churches among unreached tribal people. Christmas break is coming up. Pray that those who are able to go home for the break have opportunities to share what they are learning, and help build interest and involvement in the work God is doing.
For those who are not able to head home, pray for a good time spent with God and with friends. Many plan to head far from home to serve God, and this can be part of the preparation for that.
Please also thank God with us for his provision toward the training center's new Educational Center. Little progress had been made toward the goal of having $500,000 on hand before breaking ground in August 2008, but recent gifts have supplied nearly half of the goal.
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