God’s Word, Her Mission: Encouragement for Women Helping Build God’s Kingdom by Wycliffe Bible Translatorsনমুনা

Generosity on Mission

Have you inspected a field and bought it lately? Or have you spun your own thread recently and made your own bedspread? While the occasional woman might do those things in our modern world, mostly those tasks will make you laugh if you imagine them as part of your day. Thousands of years later, we have a lot of cultural differences, but the overarching qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman are still relevant for us to aspire to today.

We should all seek to be trustworthy, capable, efficient, loving and generous. Proverbs 31 also says that this kind of woman is “... clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness” (vv. 25-26, NLT).

This is a great example to follow — especially as we live on mission, seeking to follow Jesus and do His will. Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35), and He offers living water (John 4:10; John 7:37-39). He is our sustainer (Hebrews 1:3) and Savior (John 3:16; Acts 4:12,). He is the one true hope and salvation for every person all over the world (1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:14). There is no greater spiritual need people have than to encounter Jesus Christ through His living and powerful Word.

Wanting to help fulfill this need and living on mission requires that we give our time, energy, influence and resources. And we don’t have to give a lot, either; God multiplies anything we offer in faith. He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), and we “... should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35b, NLT).

Your giving can help bring God’s Word to someone in a language and format they clearly understand — and our miracle-making Lord can do infinitely more with our gifts, prayers, service and advocacy.

Reflection:

• How have you seen God take a small offering and multiply its impact?
• How are you currently stewarding what God has given you?
• Where is He calling you to give or serve more boldly?

Story Spotlight:

A Young Girl’s Great Gift | Philippines

A 5-year-old girl named Kori came up to Nard Pugyao, an Isnag believer from the Philippines, and gave him a small plastic bag full of coins. It was so heavy that she could barely hold it!

Nard first heard about Christ as a young boy because of the work of Bible translation to bring Scripture to his people. He later joined Wycliffe and became a missionary pilot and strong advocate in the U.S. for his community.

The journey to the Isnag Bible began 66 years before their completed Scripture was celebrated by the community in June 2023. Throughout the decades of translation, individuals and churches partnered with the Isnag to see the work funded.

When it was time for the translated Bible to be printed, Nard was working to raise $87,000 to print 5,000 copies — approximately $18 per book. A Good News Club in Georgia had learned about his story and invited him to speak. He shared about how the full Isnag Bible was finally complete! And that’s when Kori came up to him with her coins. Nard asked her where she’d gotten them.

Kori explained that every Christmas, her grandfather chooses one grandchild to give a year’s worth of loose change to. And this year, it was Kori’s turn! But Kori didn’t want to keep it for herself — she wanted to give it to help print the Isnag Bible so people could learn about Jesus, just like she had. In that moment, Kori gave it all — $42 in loose change. Her extravagant generosity helped bring the Word of God to the Isnag community.

Learn more about how generosity on mission can change lives.