American missionary Jim Elliot
Philippians 3:7 (NIV)
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
On January 8, 1956, 28-year-old American missionary Jim Elliot was martyred, along with four missionary partners and friends. They were attempting to minister to a native tribe (the Huaorani) in the jungle of Ecuador. These words were found in Jim’s diary. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Centuries earlier the 17th century English preacher Phillip Henry had said, “He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.” The Christian life is not based upon the principle of getting/me-first but upon giving/Christ-first. The Apostle Paul found greater satisfaction in losing earthly things (because he gained a more intimate knowledge of Christ) than in gaining earthly things. Sometimes earthly things accompany our thirst for Christ, sometimes they do not. But the treasure of knowing Christ makes everything else secondary. May you seek Him today!
Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”
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