A Tale of Two Situations: Rich and Poor

So, the question I posed around a month ago was, “Who should a missionary live like?”

75% of you answered that the missionary should live like the people he’s serving, while 25% said that he should live with less than the average American. But what does that even mean? My desire is not to fault anybody for their answers, as I merely wanted to use the question to spark some discussion. A little background information: The CIA World Factbook ranks Tanzania as the 5^th poorest country in the world with around a $600 GDP-per capita. The United States is ranked as the 3^rd richest nation in the world with a GDP-per capita of around $37,800. Just a note: that’s 63 times the GDP-per capita of Tanzania. So, how should a missionary live?

Jeana and I have experienced a struggle in regards to this question. How do we handle appearing to be extremely rich in a very poor country? In regards to the first question, it seems we could err in two extremes: (1) Try to create a mini-United States here in Tanzania. Buy a new Toyota LandCruiser. Try to keep up with all the newest entertainment technology. Bring shipment after shipment of items from the States. (2) Sell everything we own. Walk or bike everywhere. Live in a mud house and eat ugali every meal, every day.

Both of these extremes are potentially wrong. In the first, we may be denying the fact that we live in Tanzania, and are trying to compensate by creating an area of “comfort” for ourselves. In the second, we may be denying that we come from the States and the people we are ministering to know this. In fact, in this area of the world, at least, it is very offensive to try and live like the people do. People think you’re crazy (and not in a good way). You lose your effectiveness in ministry. But you also lose your effectiveness in ministry by being greedy and hoarding your wealth. Then, what is the right thing to do?

I’ve been reading in 1 Timothy lately and Paul has some things to say about all of this. In 6:6 he says, “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment...” and in 6:18-19 he says, “ [The rich] are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Paul points out several pertinent things in this chapter, mainly that God desires a certain type of heart. Hearts consecrated to Him, concerned with His kingdom, hopeful on Him, thankful, humble, content, and generous.

It seems then that the best thing to do is any circumstance we’re in is to have this kind of heart. Whether we have a lot or a little. It seems more effective to minister by providing work for Tanzanians, helping them financially when their kids get sick, or giving them food when the rains don’t come. To be generous with what we’ve been given by God for the purpose of extending His hand of mercy to the poorest of the poor.

-T.M.