I have been asked by a local church to preach tomorrow morning from Psalm 67 for their missions emphasis week. The point of the psalm is that God blesses us so all people will know Him and praise Him – “blessed to be a blessing.” As I’ve been thinking about this theme, God has brought across my path many opportunities to practice this principle.

At least a couple times every week I receive requests from dear African brothers and sisters requesting urgent help for various sorts of needs. Most recently, Pastor James, who coordinates our Pathways network in northern coastal Tanzania, wrote me with an urgent request. His son is struggling to breath, and doctors say that surgery is required. This involves his family traveling to Dar es Salaam, where the hospital is, staying in basic accommodations for a few days, and paying for the surgery.  While the cost for this in America would be substantial, in Africa the cost is several hundred dollars, but is likewise beyond the grasp of Pastor James. So he writes me and those he knows who might be able to help him.

God has provided for us financially (“blessed us”). Now that application from Psalm 67 urges us to use that blessing to bless others. While I can’t provide for all the dear pastors I know, meeting all their requests, certainly I can offer some assistance.

A few days ago, Pastor Rabson in Malawi wrote me:

I am coming to you with an appeal. Am seeking your help. At my home village,I am coordinator for victory foundation, an organization that serves orphans and vulnerable people. Some of the children seek food, shelter, care. But others seek school fees and school needs for either secondary or tertiary schooling. May you kindly be able to come in and talk to some willing individuals or organizations to sponsor each of these children. If so, please, feel free to do so. And join us in praying for God to open doors for these needy.

More opportunities to be a blessing. Certainly God must guide us in how we are to proceed, utilizing wise stewardship principles with His resources, but the needs are present and abundant.

There are also MANY other blessings we have received from God, such as all our spiritual blessings which we can share with others. But in the West, material possessions and finances are often given in abundance and we can find ways of using these for God’s purposes in growing His kingdom, not simply in giving us a comfortable lifestyle.

God has also connected me with these dear brothers and sisters to serve as a conduit for sharing blessing from others. If you are interested in contributing for one (or more) of the many requests I receive from pastors in Africa, please send me an email or call me and we can discuss the best way to proceed. (eric.belz@efca.org  or 360.915.3921)

Blessed to be a blessing!

Eric