This was originally written in late 2013 after 6 months living in a developing nation context.
Every christian has a view of missions, and how best to introduce and advance the Kingdom of God where they are. But what if some of us have been looking at it with a wrong view of finance? Could it be that we’ve spent our funds in the wrong way and limited some of the growth of the Kingdom where we are? It is suggested that simply purchasing food from local suppliers can improve a nation’s economic independence.
Often an assumption is made that saving funds designated for big ticket purchases means that better stewardship has taken place. However, by using funds locally rather than spending for a cheaper overseas equivalent, there is an argument to be made that economic stewardship is in fact more effective in the nation of ministry. How might this impact our view of mission, and our approach to use of the King’s resources? Could it in fact open a new door of growth in developing nation missions?
Traditionally, the mindset many people grow up with is that those going out on “missionary” work are focussed on preaching the gospel, building churches, and generally being spiritual. There is an assumption in many, that one in mission is focussed most on the spiritual life of those to whom they’re ministering. Perhaps they’ll meet practical needs like clean water, health or food, but at the end of it they’re more interested in spiritual condition. Combined with a mindset of care with finances, approaches to mission work often combine genuine care for people, with strategic purchasing to make the “not quite enough” finances stretch a little further.
However, to care for people and teach them the reality of the Kingdom of God would surely mean first living out the Kingdom of God in front of them, as the church in the book of Acts did. But is it possible to live out the Kingdom of God while also living out of a mentality that “there isn’t enough?” To frustrate matters, this mindset forms easily when living a lifestyle of trusting God for finances doesn’t appear to result in having what one thinks one needs right at the moment in question. Yet, despite occasional evidence suggesting that the King has not provided what we think we “need,” His word declares us to be adopted as sons when we accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
As a son, He reminds us that He desires to give us good gifts: “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:9-11
So a mindset which expects the Father to provide for what He’s asking of His children: how might that look? Could it be one which assumes that while one is in a nation, His blessing is supposed to flow through the same?
Could it be one which is intent on drawing out economic independence to compliment the political independence which was so tenaciously fought for not so many years ago?
To help you see what is being suggested, imagine yourself on the ground in an island nation: the supermarkets are stocked with a massive range of western, european and chinese products. Those are the ones you know. You know how to use flour to make pancakes, and rice and beans to make stirfry. You know that brand of chicken wings, it’s the same one you ate frequently back home.
Naturally, without much thought, you focus your meal choices around that which is comfortable to you, and really it doesn’t seem any more expensive than it was back home.
Yet, when you wander around the fruit and vegetable market in the middle of town, you’re confronted with a massive array of food which has all been grown in this nation. Buying these fruits, vegetables and nuts is a direct blessing to those who sell it to you, but it takes so much longer to prepare meals this way. Not to mention the fact that many of these are foods you’ve never eaten before, much less prepared yourself!
But to buy these really does change lives. To support local growers really does perpetuate local economies. To inject your small quantity of powerful currency into the nation at a coal face level actually changes it. Doesn’t it?
Lets zoom out a little further. Up to this point, the conversation has been specifically around food. But what about other things we like to use in missions? What if one wants a fancy new cellphone, laptop or backpack? What about shoes? Because of the economics of volume, prices in this town are higher than back home for many of these things. So when one frequently has friends flying in, why not just buy it there, and fly it in, right?
To get a better idea of this dynamic, we must understand the nation’s economy. The Republic of Vanuatu is a tax haven. That means there is no personal or business income tax. The only taxes levied on the entire population are value added tax (VAT), import and export duties. That means that the government, in order to pay for its initiatives for the people, makes the lion’s share of income using VAT and duty. This means that almost every imported product one buys, injects funds into the health care system, education system, and multiple other beneficial frameworks designed to improve Ni-Vanuatu lives.
Most people who have spent time in developing nations will raise the question of corruption. Why support a government which mismanages it’s funds to the point where the ministries in need of support miss out because funds run short?
The other side of that argument is seen in the numerous international agencies working with the government to increase the level of accountability and efficiency found in the national budget.
As Jesus lovers, the question to be answered in this conversation is how do we deal with things we think are wrong? Do we refuse to be involved in that which is wrong; do we refuse to acknowledge there is anything wrong; or do we choose to acknowledge the problem and fight alongside those who want to see a solution?
In the big picture, we know that money is not the answer, only our heavenly King has the answer to corruption, poverty and greed. But we also know that money, when subject to the direction of the creator, can be incredibly powerful for the advancement of His purposes.
Where is He asking me to put mine? I’d like to think I’m being obedient to His direction.
How about you?