John 4:31-34 Giving

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Even the disciples have fallen into the trap of literalism. Jesus is speaking metaphorically. Yet he has a clear message for us as missionaries and evangelists. The word for men's minds and hearts is more important than food for their bellies. With so much Christian aid going on disaster relief how much is going on telling others about the food that really satisfies and the water that never needs replenishing. I know Spurgeon said, "If you want to give them a tract, make sure it's wrapped in a sandwich," but the point is that a sandwich satisfies for a couple of hours but a tract can satisfy for life.

Big secular charities like OXFAM and Christian Aid are better than governments at aiding the needy but they don't reach into their real requirements. I have recently adjusted my giving to agencies like Barnabas Trust, Open Doors, and Samaritan's Purse and away from charities like OXFAM, Red Cross and UNICEF. Tear Fund is one worth watching. I'm not sure that in its desire to be one of the big boys it has kept close to its evangelical origins.