David was told by the prophet Gad to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor belonging to a man named Araunah. His call, his marching orders, were clear...do this thing.
So, David went to Araunah and told him the purpose behind his visit: "To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people." 2 Samuel 24:21
Well, Araunah was a good Israelite. His king had come to him in need of something. His response was like ours would have been: "Take it...all that you need or want!! Free of charge; it is my pleasure, my king!"
However, David...the KING...does not respond in the manner which I anticipated. "No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
How does this passage relate to short-term missions?
"I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing."
If you believe that God has commanded you to do something...if your "call", your marching order, is clear...then do it. Go in obedience.
However, do not expect that in the completion of your task, you will incur no costs. The God who required the ultimate sacrifice from His own Son surely expects a little from us, don't you think?
First, humble yourself. Did David send a messenger to Araunah to tell him what the king needed? No. He personally went. If the King of Israel can make a personal appearance before his potential benefactor, so can we. A letter requesting support should only serve as a reminder to a previously held conversation. Go to people, tell them why you are going, tell them where you are going, tell them what you hope the end result will be.
If you hand me a support letter without asking me to sit down and give you an opportunity to tell me about your trip, I will throw it away. End of story. If you cannot sacrifice your time and humble yourself to ask face-to-face, you are not fit for the mission field...short- or long-term.
Second, be prepared for an outpouring of gifts. David asked to buy the threshing floor. Araunah offered to give him the threshing floor, the oxen, and the threshing sledges and oxen yokes to use as wood! And, on top of that, he offered his blessing upon David: "May The Lord accept you." 2 Samuel 24:23
Now, this doesn't mean that everyone you ask will give. However, some will. And some will give beyond what you could imagine. Ask them all to pray for you. Ask them to pray that your calling is clear and that you are obeying God completely.
Lastly, be willing to work. It would have been so easy...and so understandable...for David to simply respond with a grateful, "Thank you." However, he knew that obedience requires sacrifice.
"I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing."
Offer to work for people who you ask for support. Babysit, do yard work, clean their house, go grocery shopping for them. I would be willing to guarantee that their "payment" will be greater proportionally than your sacrifice of time or labor. I do not believe that God desires for us to depend wholly on the benevolence of others to accomplish the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do.
How does the story end? David buys the threshing floor and oxen, builds an altar and sacrifices to the Lord, who hears David's plea and the plague on the land is averted. In other words, David obeyed and God moved. Don't you want to experience that?
I hope our family has the opportunity to join many in the fulfillment of their marching orders.
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