What Do Missionaries Make?

(with apologies to Taylor Mali and, possibly, George Carlin)

A well-meaning relative asked me, “What do missionaries make? I mean, can you live on it?”

He was about to offer me a job with his company, a place where I could make stuff which would allow me to have more stuff.

And, in the end, stuff is what life is all about – for many or for most.

What do missionaries make? It is a good question - the answer might surprise you.

The easy answer is “not enough,” but like most easy answers it does not tell the whole story.

And, in the end, the whole story is really what your life will be about.

Missionaries make a difference in the world. They reach children, youth and whole communities.

They take seriously the idea that “a man is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep..”

And, in the end, many men find they have been fools by holding on to stuff that didn’t really matter.

Missionaries make the church live up and out to its vision. They make a purpose-filled church have an actual purpose.

They are part of walking the walk and talking the talk in world where form has come to have more value than content.

And, in the end, form will fade away and content is what, - well - you will have.

Missionaries make orphans into people – that matter. Missionaries make questioning college students listen.

They actually reach out to people that otherwise might be forgotten in their modern, economic miracles.

And, in the end, the real miracle is still that the “least of these” has real, authentic value.

Missionaries make the church uncomfortable. With their less-than stylish clothing and less-than trendy thoughts.

They make you think that maybe Jesus was serious when He said, “Unless a man gives up everything he cannot follow me.”

And, in the end, following Him is probably what “this” is still all about.

Missionaries probably make more mistakes that pastors, conference speakers and, even, tele-evangelists.

They are willing to try new things and really (really!) fail forward.

And, in the end, failing doesn’t hurt so much if you can know you made a little progress.

Missionaries certainly make less than doctors, lawyers, teachers and most employees of Wal-Mart.

They obviously thought that what you make is less important that making a difference.

And, in the end, that is all they will probably have – a life that made a difference.