Hand-Me-Downs are good, but not for that
I love hand-me-downs. Or at least I do now because if I get clothes from my brothers its because I take them. But that's nowhere near where we're going with this post.
I don't like spending money on expensive stuff. It just doesn't make sense to me on why you would buy a car that's $32,000 when a good 2-year-old Saturn goes for $5000. They do the same job. But this isn't a Dave Ramsey post.
Sometimes its good to spend a little extra money on something. Sometimes you could really use a better quality product because of the circumstances.
In my life I've found there is only one entity that is cheaper than a Murphy; Church. Churches never like spending money (unless its on a new building). There's always some old lady/ Extra cheap Elder/ Any Member who questions the expenditures during a budget meeting, and I get that. But there are some things you shouldn't be Murphycheap on.
Missionaries always seem to get the hand-me-downs of church. Now not all missionaries, but most. Churches this year are going to be cutting back on there expenses and I guarantee that one of the first things getting cut in almost all churches is the missions budget. That's terrible. Since when did we take the Great Commission to say "Make sure your church has everything it wants then leave the rest to go into all the world..." I think its terrible that some churches take what's left over and send that to missions. It's like these men and women we ask to do the dirty work for us are having to take our left-overs; our hand-me-downs.
Case and Point. Land Rover. One thing we don't think about a whole lot in our every day life are the roads we drive on. They are maintained and built extremely well. Even if you live on a dirt road the county road grader comes by once a month to smooth out the dips. But most of us don't live in a tropical monsoon climate. Seasonal rains decimate roads in under-developed countries. Even paved roads are tough on any vehicle if the roads are built well. And considering most developing nations don't have civil engineers sitting around planning roads, even the paved roads are crap. But if any missionary ever requested $60,000 for a Land Rover its doubtful they'd get it. Or even $38,000 for a Toyota 4Runner. But until you've driven down a nasty 220 inches of rain per year dirt road, you probably don't see the reason to spend that kind of money.
Churches throw some hand-me-down at their missionaries. Its a nice thought, but in actuality its almost a slap in the face. It usually breaks down, and winds up costing more money and headache than its worth. Most cars just aren't made for that abuse. And in the end you still have to buy that Land Rover.
I know a lot of churches will be looking for places to cut costs this year. Find something creative like turning up the thermostat in the building 6 degrees to save on electricity. So what if sister Dorthy gets upset b/c she has to stand 78 degree heat during the summer. Somewhere there's a missionary without A/C in 104 degree heat that probably a little more uncomfortable then you.
Paul "It doesn't have to have leather" Murphy
I love hand-me-downs. Or at least I do now because if I get clothes from my brothers its because I take them. But that's nowhere near where we're going with this post.
I don't like spending money on expensive stuff. It just doesn't make sense to me on why you would buy a car that's $32,000 when a good 2-year-old Saturn goes for $5000. They do the same job. But this isn't a Dave Ramsey post.
Sometimes its good to spend a little extra money on something. Sometimes you could really use a better quality product because of the circumstances.
In my life I've found there is only one entity that is cheaper than a Murphy; Church. Churches never like spending money (unless its on a new building). There's always some old lady/ Extra cheap Elder/ Any Member who questions the expenditures during a budget meeting, and I get that. But there are some things you shouldn't be Murphycheap on.
Missionaries always seem to get the hand-me-downs of church. Now not all missionaries, but most. Churches this year are going to be cutting back on there expenses and I guarantee that one of the first things getting cut in almost all churches is the missions budget. That's terrible. Since when did we take the Great Commission to say "Make sure your church has everything it wants then leave the rest to go into all the world..." I think its terrible that some churches take what's left over and send that to missions. It's like these men and women we ask to do the dirty work for us are having to take our left-overs; our hand-me-downs.
Case and Point. Land Rover. One thing we don't think about a whole lot in our every day life are the roads we drive on. They are maintained and built extremely well. Even if you live on a dirt road the county road grader comes by once a month to smooth out the dips. But most of us don't live in a tropical monsoon climate. Seasonal rains decimate roads in under-developed countries. Even paved roads are tough on any vehicle if the roads are built well. And considering most developing nations don't have civil engineers sitting around planning roads, even the paved roads are crap. But if any missionary ever requested $60,000 for a Land Rover its doubtful they'd get it. Or even $38,000 for a Toyota 4Runner. But until you've driven down a nasty 220 inches of rain per year dirt road, you probably don't see the reason to spend that kind of money.
Churches throw some hand-me-down at their missionaries. Its a nice thought, but in actuality its almost a slap in the face. It usually breaks down, and winds up costing more money and headache than its worth. Most cars just aren't made for that abuse. And in the end you still have to buy that Land Rover.
I know a lot of churches will be looking for places to cut costs this year. Find something creative like turning up the thermostat in the building 6 degrees to save on electricity. So what if sister Dorthy gets upset b/c she has to stand 78 degree heat during the summer. Somewhere there's a missionary without A/C in 104 degree heat that probably a little more uncomfortable then you.
Paul "It doesn't have to have leather" Murphy
posted by Paul Murphy at
1:27 PM
5 Comments:
How does a missionary with a Land Rover look to the locals with Nissans?
By
Josh M, at 3/16/2009 5:11 PM
Does this mean I should start my plug on Land Rovers for Jesus in AmSam?
In reply to Josh... that's the beauty of Land Rovers. The locals won't be able to tell who is driving because you're whizzing by the pedestrians at such an alarming speed... they'll just see a blur.
Finally, "God helps those who help themselves." Hezekiah 4:2. (Hezekiah is my favoritest book.)
By
Philip, at 3/17/2009 2:16 PM
Like the churches that support him care about the locals.
By
Paul Murphy, at 3/17/2009 6:25 PM
as a missionary-by-marriage living on support, i greatly appreciate those that give through their churches to help spread the Word and train new leaders. though we take public transport and don´t have monsoons, the tickets for public transport cost have gone up this year. and we don´t have a/c either. we´ve been blessed to have steady support this past year as the economic climate in the u.s. has declined. i pray God´s richest blessings on those who are co-laboring with us, even on the urban field.
By
Paulo J, at 3/18/2009 4:29 AM
When I interned in Ghana and in Tanzania all the missionaries I worked with had very long drives between villages that they were working in. Roads in many places are little more than dirt tracks (if that) and commutes were often several hours between villages. I think you make a great point, Josh, but most local people with cars are not in the villages they are in the cities and the wear and tear on their vehicles is not as great. The missionaries I worked with who lived in town made due with smaller, less expensive vehicles or even public transport.
I'm always amazed when churches are offended when a missionary asks for more money for necessary needs. Why is that churches expect their missionaries to give up all comforts when they themselves are not willing to do so?
By
MSS, at 3/18/2009 1:39 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home