A Prescription for Successful Missions?
I don't think that the point of this passage is to declare that all missionaries renounce worldly goods and live impoverished lives. Do not misunderstand me to say that there aren't some called to this, but I don't think that this was the principle Jesus was establishing. He in later passage proves this by sending them out with various provisions even a sword.
The first principle that I think is established herein is total reliance on God. It's easy to see when impoverished but harder to see when we'll supplied. Our Apostle brothers suffered much as a demonstration of Gods power, provision, an love. Yet, though wealthy compared to them, we are no less reliant on God. By ourselves we can provide nothing or secure anything without the unseen hand of God. And perhaps our job is to look and recognize this in praise.
The second principle I see is that they didn't roam alone. There were no Zen master or Buddha types. No lonely venerable teachers. They went in pairs. They were beggars showing other beggars where to get bread and they had one Master. We should not think to live the Christian life alone. It can rarely be done. Only in extreme situations should this be attempted with the goal of multiplying as soon as God allows. Yet in our lives we live for ourselves and when we try to obey Christ we try to do it on our own. Save yourself some trouble and get a brother or a sister involved.
Created over 1 year ago
