Hindrance to the Gospel — E.A. Johnston

Supporting an Itinerant Evangelist

I remember years ago, back before I was an evangelist myself, at the time I was a wealthy businessman and I was supporting an itinerant evangelist. I helped this man on a regular basis in support of his ministry.

One day he came to me with a special need. He said if he only had a motor coach, it would allow him to travel more in the spread of the gospel, as he would not have to rely on churches to put him up in hotels while he was on the road, but if he had his own motor coach, he could live in it.

This evangelist told me he already had raised half the money for this motor coach, and all that was keeping him from buying it was he needed the other half of the money to purchase it. He sent me a photo of the motor coach so I could see how nice it was.

I told him I would pray for him, that God would somehow get him the rest of the money. Then I hung up the phone. As I was praying for this man's need, the Lord convicted me that I could meet that need myself, and not only that, I could write him a check immediately.

That didn't sit too well with me at the time because it was a lot of money, money I could have squirreled away from my own family's use and future. But every time I thought of that evangelist, that photo of the motor coach would float into my mind, and it disturbed me because I didn't want to part with that much money.

Jesus' Teaching on Sacrificial Giving

I believe God honors a follower of his when he gives to the Lord, especially for the spread of the gospel. I also believe, friends, that God is not too impressed when we give out of our abundance. Jesus said so himself in Mark's gospel.

In chapter 12 we read, I believe we get God's attention when we give to him sacrificially, for God is a God who delights in sacrifice. For did he not sacrifice his only begotten son on a cruel cross for sinful man?

Giving That Costs Us Something

I believe God takes notice when it costs us something to give to his work. It's the sacrificial giving that grabs his attention. At least that's how Jesus sees it. Anyhow, back to this man and the motor coach.

Every time I thought of that evangelist, a photo of his motor coach would float in my mind. I could picture him sitting behind the driver's wheel as he rode around the country spreading the gospel. Finally, I picked up the phone and called him.

He said afterwards he could sense the nervousness in my voice as I told him I was putting a check in the mail so he could go get that motor coach. After all these years, that evangelist still uses that same motor coach in the spread of the gospel.

Becoming Facilitators of Gospel Mission

Now I say all that, friends, from a personal perspective in that I believe the main hindrance to the spread of the gospel isn't the devil, but rather it is we ourselves who refuse to part with mammon if it's going to cost us something.

If we gave more sacrificially to God in the spread of the gospel, he would receive the glory and the lost and perishing could be reached more with the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus before they perish into a burning hell of torments.

I believe there's enough money sitting right now in Christian bank accounts and investment portfolios to reach the whole world with the gospel. The trouble is we won't let loose of it because we won't tap into what we perceive to be our own personal nest egg for the future, but we don't realize that a sudden economic crash could remove that money anyhow.

I don't believe Christ held anything back at Calvary, but rather he gave his all. The question is, are we a hindrance to the spread of the gospel or are we a facilitator of it? Let us pray.