“There are two types of missionaries – givers and takers,” my late husband Bob often said. What did he mean by this statement? He was talking about missionaries going into different parts of the world to spread the Word of God, and their supporters. The givers are those who can and will financially help support missionaries and their families in foreign and stateside missions. (When going into these areas, we need to teach brethren to support themselves in their local works as they become able.)
Because of Bob, we were givers. We would help support missionaries and some of our younger brethren and their families going to preacher schools. We were very fortunate in that we supported those who remained true to the Word and are still working for the Lord today. Without the givers, these men could not be takers.
After marrying Louis, we are now – takers – doing mission work. I love being a taker as we go into the countries of Guyana, South America; Singapore, Myanmar (Burma) and India in Asia. This has really been a wonderful privilege, made possible by the help of those supporting us financially. Without the givers, it would be impossible for Louis and me to go to these countries for our Lord with the Gospel.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus told the apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” We call this the Great Commission because it was given not only to the apostles but to us today. We are to go teach, baptize and teach. There is no way we can all be goers or takers.
We are told in Mark 16:15-16, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Thus, we are to go and teach the Gospel in foreign lands or even in our own country. Foreign and stateside missionaries take the Gospel abroad and at home, but we cannot all be takers. If all were takers, who would be left to send – or who would be the givers? Therefore, we need givers and takers.
Not all people are able to go into foreign lands or to stateside mission points to teach the Word of God. It takes both givers and takers to spread the Gospel of Christ all over the world. Please prayerfully consider being a giver or a taker.
