Each year, First Baptist Church of Plano takes November and December to gather an “over-and-above” offering devoted specifically to God’s work in the world beyond our church family.  The Missions Offering envelope provides several options for directing your missions gifts according to your conscience. 

I encourage you to pray regarding your gift in two steps.  First, ask God what He would have you contribute beyond your tithe to this special offering.  Next, ask Him how you should distribute your gift.  You may elect to send your entire gift to one of the six causes, all of them equally, or to any combination.  Just mark your envelope as the Holy Spirit guides you and the dollars will be sent accordingly.  If you choose not to specify where your missions offering should be sent, it will be distributed proportionately based on those gifts that are specified.  There’s really no way to go wrong when supporting the expansion of God’s Kingdom!

In his book Passion for the Heart of God, John Zumwalt relates this story about a believer in Jesus from Myanmar, whose name is Ko Chat Thing.  While in America, Ko was asked to preach to a congregation regarding their obligation to fulfill the Great Commission through giving and praying and going.  He thought a minute, then asked, “Has not Christ told them to do it?”

“Well, yes!” was the reply.  “But we wish you would remind them of their duty.”

“Oh, no!”  he said.  “If they will not mind Jesus Christ, they will not mind me.”

As you seek the Father’s will for your missions giving, He will prompt you.  As you obey Him through sacrificial giving, you join Him in His work, bringing a lost world to Himself.  Let’s do what He calls us to do by His grace and for His glory.