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More Blessed

Many of Jesus' statements seem very counter-intuitive. You must lose your life to find it. You must die to have true life. And then in Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." How is this the case?
I want to share with you why I believe it is to your benefit to give toward gospel advance, and more specifically, through our mission work in Mexico. Why should you partner with us financially in our ministry? How does giving benefit you as the giver? 

General Benefits

Biblically speaking, there are several incentives for giving toward gospel advance:

Rewards in heaven
Consider this clear command from Jesus: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV) By giving toward gospel advance, we are laying up “treasures in heaven.” Heavenly rewards should be a much greater incentive than earthly rewards.

Paul says something similar to the Philippians in his letter to them: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” (Philippians 4:17, ESV) Paul is telling these believers that when he asks for their financial support, it is for their benefit, not for his own. Because of their financial partnership with Paul, these believers had a very real share in the spiritual fruit that came from Paul’s ministry. These believers were building up rewards in heaven.

Rewards on earth
Disclaimer: this is not the “prosperity gospel.” God is much more interested in our spiritual prosperity than our material wealth. Nevertheless, Scripture does seem to indicate that giving will produce material rewards. Consider these verses:

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (Malachi 3:10, ESV)

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6, ESV)

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25, NLT)

I have experienced this in my own life. When I give generously (whether through the church, missions organizations, or to other needs), I have experienced financial prosperity in my own life. But I also believe that the reason God prospers me financially when I give is so that I can keep giving, not using the resources merely for my own comfort and earthly pleasure.

Personal Benefits

Personally speaking, I believe there are also benefits for those who specifically choose to partner with us in our ministry.

Deep Friendship
Paul expressed this to the Philippian believers who partnered with him in the gospel: “You have a special place in my heart…. God knows how much I love you and long for you.” (Philippians 1:7-8, NLT) For those who choose to partner with us financially, we offer our sincere and deep friendship. We promise to genuinely care about you and your family and stay connected with you.

Praying for You
As our partner in ministry, you can be assured of our regular prayers for you. We are committed to praying for you, just as you pray for us.

Regular Updates and Visits
We promise to keep you updated on our ministry. We want you to be informed and know how to pray for us. We also want to visit you and reconnect in person whenever possible on our return trips to the States.

Fruit from our Ministry
If you know us, we hope you have already seen fruit from our ministry over the years. As we serve God in Puebla, Mexico, you will have a very real share in whatever fruit God gives us in our ministry because of your partnership with us.

So what about you?

I can’t tell you whether partnering with our ministry financially is the right decision for you. I certainly think it would be to your benefit. But maybe God is burdening you for other ministries.

The point is this: are you giving generously? I challenge you—test God. He has promised to bless you in multiple ways if you will step out in faith and obedience and give toward the advance of the gospel and the Kingdom of God.

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