I know your willingness...

but are you ready for the next step??? Are you ready for action???

As we are praying and preparing for our week out at Delanco Camp, I've been thinking about the 5th-7th graders who may be introduced to missions for the first time. What would be an appropriate first step in their missional-living? How can we inspire them to action, and get them excited to share God's mission with their friends and their parents? And found Paul has laid out great next steps and accountability for the church in Corinth! Let's check out 2 Corinthians 9:

I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give;

I'll be the first to commend enthusiasm and eagerness! I love when people get passionate about a cause! But when that passion is all there is, I feel so let down! Passion without action is shallow and empty! Just like faith without deeds.

and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

Can other people around you catch your enthusiasm? Do people know that you are excited about what God is doing around the world? Are other people becoming missions-active because of your passion?

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements

And so Paul not only commends their enthusiasm, but makes plans to hold them accountable! Wow! What a challenge to me as we continue building our team! How can Josh and I be helping you on your missions journey? Could we get in touch with you and make a plan with you for how you want to grow in missions-activity this next year?

for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

We are so grateful for those of you who have joined our team financially! But there are countless ways to use the gifts and talents God has given you to get missions-active! The key is your attitude of generosity, not the size of your gift (or whether that gift is financial or some other talent or resource).

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

The harvest is great! Will you help us reap that great harvest? Will you sow sparingly, just the time and resources you can afford to give? Or will you sow generously above and beyond your means, in order that the kingdom might be generously harvested?

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Only you know what God is calling you to do. And as you pray about your involvement in the world, ask Him to give you a cheerful heart willing to give what He asks of you.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work -2 Corinthians 9:2-8

Amen and amen.