Money-making mission
Anyone who knows China will understand that it is a money-orientated world. Deng Xiaoping is reputed to have said “to get rich is glorious”. It doesn’t matter whether or not he actually used these words, the fact that it’s plausible is what’s important. Christians would be falling off their pews with delight if he had said “To find God is glorious” or “To get saved is glorious”. This, however, is simply inconceivable.
China does not extend an open hand to gospel bearers. President Hu is not inviting the British church to bring salvation and revival to a needy land. What China wants is filthy lucre, bread, brass, lolly… US dollars by the shipload. This get rich quick mentality is anathema to the majority of missional British Christians. We choose to forego the luxuries of this world, give away ten per cent of our income and wouldn’t dream of writing cheques out to dodgy Chinese businessmen. The more conscientious of us even indulge in ethical shopping regardless of the higher prices we may be forced to pay.
However, just as it is naïve to expect the Chinese authorities to issue visas to overt church-planters, it shows lack of foresight not to recognise that visas can be bought by generous financial gestures. Where we can demonstrate that our workers are not only improving the lives of local people, but also their bank balances (and better still, the coffers of the local government), in these places, our visa requests will be granted and our workers will have a lot of favour with the officials.
OMF needs people who know how to make money, and how to make money grow for others as well: astute businessmen, wise managers, entrepreneurs and commercial whiz-kids. We need people who have a sound Biblical view of finance, and who know how to turn a profit – not to enrich themselves, but to improve the lives of others. If this is you, contact china@omf.org.uk and let’s get chatting.
OMF is running a vision trip for businessmen to China at the end of October visiting small and large businesses run by Christians. There are still last minutes places available. Contact china@omf.org.uk if you are interested, or you know someone who is.