Unthinkable Not to Share

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:17-18, NIV.

When a Westerner has a candy bar and a Thai friend comes up, the Westerner eats his candy bar. When a Thai has a candy bar and a friend comes up, the Thai will split the candy bar in half and offer it to his or her friend.

Thai culture is communal, not individualistic. You share what you have; and when you don’t have much, sharing makes what you have go further. Observing these tendencies within my own culture and my host culture makes me wonder. Does my unthinking, culturally-ingrained unwillingness to share material blessings cause my Thai friends confusion when I share about the selfless giving of Jesus?

When it comes to the Gospel, it is unthinkable for me not to share, but perhaps my sharing needs to go deeper than words so my Thai friends might hear and understand.

Pray that:

Any cultural bias that keeps Pacific Rim personnel from sharing the Good News will be identified and forsaken to the glory of God.

Any cultural bias of the host culture that keeps believers from sharing the Good News and living the faith will be forsaken to the glory of God.

The generosity of God’s children in Northern Thailand will bring praise and glory to God, and cause many to consider the Gospel and be saved.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.