Affluence and the missionary

Affluence and Mission
Recently read an article in a mission’s journal Suzy gets once in a while, about the affluence ethic among missionaries, the article actually wasn’t very useful, but it did help me to know that others were dealing with the same issues I am regarding funds. The author mentioned that it was a struggle for him to go to a foreign country expecting to bring spiritual food, and he found himself half the time dealing with physical problems and issues of others. While helping others is something I like to do, I did not really anticipate the amount of stress and time I would be piling into wondering whether to help people out or not.
I had nice lesson in giving at church this past Sabbath. I recently asked a church member who is a single mom with two children to help me on Monday mornings by coming and doing laundry and some cleaning for me. She is out of work and agreed to do so. I pay a little more than the going rate because I know of her need. At church I happening to sit in the same row as her, but across the aisle. I had my tithe for three months stipend in an evenlope to put in the offering plate. I glanced across the aisle and saw the lady wrapping up some coins in paper for tithe too. I didn’t see how much but I was sure it was tithe for what I had given her that week. That small sum was all she received yet she faithfully tithed it. It was a widow with two mites experiences, and although I am glad that I did feel bad because I was showing off my wealth, it did humble me to understand and realize her sacrifice, and how blessed I am to bless others with what I have.
It was good to have that experience because what awaited me would challenge my giving compassion! In the afternoon, I stopped by the house of some friends. They had asked before I left on “furlough” to see if I could find them some money for a building project they wanted to do, a toilet to be exact. I said I would try, and in the end, my grandma gave me some money and I offered them a portion of that upon my return. Well unfortunately, I did communicate properly the exact amount, and they expected more than I had said. Well that misunderstanding aside they still had some a problem with the dimensions of the outhouse I and a friend had proposed. Since I know nothing about toilets I asked a friend to help me with the details, apparently the friends for whom the project was destined did not appreciate this leak of information, they wanted it to be between us, well a lesson learned for the future. In any case, they thought the toilet proposed was too small, they wanted a larger hole, and deeper one too. Now I and my friend had planned a toilet that would use up the money I had to give, and thus be usable, but my friends wanted a bigger toilet, which the money would not be nearly enough to finish the job. I tried to persuade them that it would be better to just build a small one (big enough already for them all), and have it done. No they wanted the big one and even if the money ran out, they’d find a way to get it done. Well it was there toilet, but it was frustrating. It’s hard when beggars become choosers. Surely these friends are not beggars, but still they asked for this, I gave them a gift and they are telling me how I should give it. Some other friends advised that I should be a bit more firm and I went back to tell them, that this was not acceptable to dictate how a gift is given. Then felt that everyone was being unfair, and was against them. They lost their mother a few years ago and thus have had a rough time added with their father who is not very healthy. But now this is growing into a martyr’s complex, they are being persecuted they believe, when I am saying that no one is perfect we all have faults and this is one for them. No one is saying they are bad people.
But the whole situation has definitely brought to me some great lessons. Mainly that it is good to have people participate, my friends have gotten used to getting and not working for what they get. Many foreigners come and feel bad and give handouts, and thus locals think that all white people will do the same. So I am learning to not allow my affluence to get in the way of God’s ministry. I am blessed with much, where I can I help, but I also want to help people be responsible and participate with what they ask for. Harmless as doves and wise as serpents, that’s the theme!