Have you ever had God tell you to do something specific? Maybe he told you to serve someone, go somewhere, or give. Sacrificing your own possessions to others is not always the easiest. When we view what we possess as not our own, but God’s to use for his purpose, our perspective on giving changes.

Recently, a SAMS Sender shared their experience with sacrificial giving through correspondence to a SAMS Missionary:

Let me start by saying Zambia is not where my missionary heart is. Every New Year’s I pray and ask where I am supposed to send my gifts, and then I give as I believe the Lord is leading me. Most years my giving goes towards helping those who are in hunger, and people who live on the brink of poverty.

I don’t know why, but last year something about your appeal caught my eye and I decided to give a one-time gift. Then I saw you again in another newsletter from SAMS.

I was planning to wait until New Years and pray about your request, but this morning as I listened to “Our Daily Bread” devotional, it was about abundant giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-9). It dawned on me. I’m moving into a new home and was planning to buy a chair that costs more than the highest donation you appealed for! And in one of your newsletters, you wrote of how you built a counch out of wooden pallets!

So I prayed some more. If asked, I probably couldn’t find Zambia on a map, but India was not on my radar either and I spent several years supporting mission work there.

Here is the bottom line…I don’t think you fit into my giving plan, but God does! When he calls me to do something, what else can I do but listen to him? Young people around the world need Christian compassion, love, and discipleship. You are providing these! I pray my giving helps.

SAMS Missionaries around the globe give thanks to God for Senders who encourage, support and give to them. Thank you for your generous giving. How is God calling you this Advent Season? Pray, listen, and respond!