Focal Point
Dr. Michael G. Loftis, President, ABWE International
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” —Jim Elliot
Jim Elliott knew that sacrifice has always been the real cost of missions. There is no avoiding this truth, which is why we are still celebrating the lives of five missionaries who gave their lives to reach the Waodani people in Ecuador fifty years ago. But, how do missionaries respond to the current tendency of many Christians to balk at the cost and risk associated with missions in the twenty first century?
Throughout the history of the church, numerous arguments have been marshaled against attempting the task of world missions. The argument over cost aversion has raged on for the past two or three decades, and those of us who have committed our lives to the task are wearied by the all too common statement, “American missionaries cost too much to send; it’s time to look for cheaper alternatives.”
Who told us we have the right to become little lords of the harvest who can choose to look for cheaper labor across the border, the way automakers and computer manufacturers do? When I hear such thinking, I go to Scripture and rejoice that even though Jesus was quite clear that following Him comes with a great cost, He never made the cost of obedience a hindering issue. His words in Luke 14:27 are clear: “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
In our post-9/11 world, another wind of opposition to missions has begun to howl among many who claim to be Christ’s followers—“risk aversion.” Interestingly, this comes at a time when many young people are responding with great passion to God’s call to missions. Yet, we often hear that their parents are not so excited, and their rationale sounds like this, “Isn’t it cheaper and safer for local people to reach their own with the gospel? Why don’t you stay here and make money to send to them, since they can do a better job anyway?”
Jesus anticipated that many would struggle with the possibility of danger and hatred toward His followers, but He never sugarcoated the cost. Note His words in the gospel of John: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-19).
While missionaries are human and do struggle with fear, the testimony of those who step forward to serve in high-risk places is that they never before experienced such closeness with God and such powerful answers to prayer. This is because Jesus promised His special presence to those who obey His command to take His Word to the ends of the earth.
As we observe the fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001, we may expect to see further terrorist attacks around the world. We need to be reminded that modern missions is no different than ancient missions in regard to the risks involved. As we now seek to encourage the launching of missions from every nation to every nation, our missionaries continue to serve as models of sacrificial obedience to their Lord, just as a first century Jewish missionary named Paul knew of the chains and tribulations awaiting him, yet he said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20: 24).
This year, the Lord of the harvest has again blessed us with an abundant response of new missionaries, willing to sacrifice to go with Him to the ends of the earth. What will God’s people sacrifice in prayer and giving to send and sustain them? The answer will determine our success.
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