Within three hours of sending an email to the Unstoppable email subscribers, several of you sowed sacrificially into Pastor Peter and his ministry to reach the unsaved in eastern Kenya with the message of Jesus Christ. I had thought it was going to be a simple love-gift to the local pastors, but it turns out the money that came in was enough to host a meal for an entire group of hungry people. These people live a hard life in good times, and COVID has made their lives even harder. This truly was a Christmas miracle for them!
Here’s what happened:
Wednesday, 12/23, 4:18 PM – I sent out the “Opportunity for Generosity” email with the 10:00 PM same-day deadline.
4:56 PM – The first gift of $100 came in.
7:26 PM – The last gift of the night came in. The total gifts added up to $487.00!
10:01 PM – I sent the money off to Peter in Kenya via wire transfer.
11:28 PM (10:30AM on Christmas Eve, Kenya time) – Peter received the money.
Friday, 12/25, 11:28 AM (10:28 PM Christmas Day, Kenya time) – I received a TON of pictures, videos, and testimonies from Peter about how he and his team stewarded the gifted funds. A few of the pictures are featured below.
The best part: every penny was multiplied and over 100 people were fed! Peter took advantage of the opportunity to minister the Gospel of Jesus to a group of drug addicts, alcoholics, and many others who were present.
Here are Peter’s messages to me:
This gave me an idea…
Because of this event, I have decided to hold an “Opportunity for Generosity: Ministry Highlight” about once a quarter via the Unstoppable Podcast and blog. I plan to introduce ministry partners– people with whom I have rubbed shoulders with personally, seeing their passion and fruit in the Gospel of Jesus– and offer you the opportunity to sow into them with your seed money.
I don’t want this to become a financial burden to you. But I do want to call you and spur you on to a higher level of sowing seed into good, Gospel-centered, boots-on-the-ground soil that DOES and WILL produce a harvest for the Kingdom of God.
This is eternal business, and I am boldly stepping into my calling to facilitate and help funnel Kingdom resources to the places and people that need them. I am going after this vision with every ounce of my energy, as I am convinced God has spoken to me about this work.
The Importance of Setting Aside Seed for Sowing
If you wanted to plant a garden, it would be a good idea to look over your garden-space and plan out the year’s crops. You would take note of the area, soil, sunlight exposure, effects of the seasons, and type of harvest you want to yield after all your hard work.
In the same way, it is wise to plan out your financial sowing and reaping. You don’t accidentally reap a harvest of corn; no, the seed must be planted first. Even in a garden with “volunteer” vegetables that come up on their own, the seed must be sown, the soil must be right, and other conditions must be met in order for that seed to grow into a fruitful harvest.
Similarly, setting “seed money” aside for opportunities to sow is part of planning your spiritual and financial crops. Beyond tithing and other regular financial giving, Jenny and I always maintain some amount of money in a “Seed Account” so that we can always be ready to fulfill 2 Corinthians 9:8 on a moment’s notice.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8, NKJV
It is clear from Scripture that using your resources for the spreading of the Gospel and expecting God to meet your need is designed to be a normal part of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul praises the Philippian church for their generosity towards him in Philippians 4:10-20, finishing this great passage with the powerhouse scripture in verse 19: And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I am personally hanging my faith on 2 Corinthians 9:5-8 regarding your willingness to give and the importance of preparing far in advance a financial gift to those who are preaching the Gospel boldly to the unsaved:
5 Therefore I [Paul] thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:5-8
Did you see how many times Paul highlighted the idea of preparing a gift in advance? This is something Jenny and I have personally woven into the fabric of our lives–that in order to fulfill verse 8, we must obey verse 5.
That is, if we want to have “all sufficiency in all things” and “have an abundance for every good work,” we must be faithful to plan on giving our financial seed faithfully and intentionally in the times where there is no “big opportunity.”
We have found that, without fail, if we have been sowing faithfully in the “off season,” we have always, always, always had an abundance for that surprise “good work.”
Friend, you and I have certainly been blessed with “an abundance for every good work,” and it is never my purpose to “ask for money,” but to encourage, empower, and equip you to live in the fullness of God’s promises regarding giving and receiving. There is much room for growth in these areas across the board in the Body of Christ!
Which reminds me, we are going to start out 2021 strong: the first few Unstoppable Podcast episodes and blogs will focus in on what the Bible says about the spiritual laws of faith and finances. Jenny and I are going to share real-life stories of God’s faithfulness and provision in every season. I am so excited to share these rich, spiritual gems with you, I can hardly stand it!
Finally, if you are a partner, we are so thankful for your generosity! Your financial partnership with us is actively helping us spread the Gospel to people in America and around the globe.
If you aren’t a partner, please consider becoming one today. Click on the link below to become an Unstoppable Partner (on Patreon) today. We love you and are praying for you!
Become a Patron!
