Fall is fully upon us.  The mornings are colder.  The leaves are falling. And Starbucks is selling Pumpkin Spice Lattes, which I recently learned actually have no trace of pumpkin in them! It also means that we renew our financial and prayer support for our missionaries. We believe the most important thing people can know is that God offers forgiveness and new life in Christ. And there are many people in Utah who still have not heard this message of grace. Because of this we send all our missions money to local efforts to spread the good news of Christ. Let me share an illustration with you that I recently read in John Piper’s book, Desiring God. I found it convicting and a good reminder that we are simply stewards of God’s gifts. The illustration is based on 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Suppose someone passes empty handed through the turnstile at a big-city art museum and begins to take the pictures off the wall and carry them importantly under his arm. You come up to him and say, “What are you doing?”
He answers, “I’m becoming an art collector.”
“But they’re not really yours,” you say, “and besides, they won’t let you take any of those out of here. You’ll have to go out just like you came in.”
But he answers again, “Sure, they’re mine. I’ve got them under my arm. People in the halls look at me as an important dealer. And I don’t bother myself with thoughts about leaving. Don’t be a killjoy.”
We could call this man a fool! He is out of touch with reality. So is the person who spends himself to get rich in this life. We will go out just the way we came in.

Over the next two weeks I’d encourage you to pray about how to support our church plants and RUF at the University of Utah. There isn’t a right amount to give; that is a decision between you and God. But know that investing in missions gives others the opportunity to know that same grace that you’ve experienced in Christ Jesus!

Your brother in Christ,
Jon