A Letter of Thanks to our Supporters
January 5, 2013
1 Corinthians 14:17a:
For thou verily givest thanks well…
It is strange to begin a letter purposefully quoting a verse out of context but this is the verse that came to mind as I sat down to write a letter of appreciation for your financial gifts to Workers Together With Him in 2012. As I meditated on this verse, I realized how inadequate I feel to “give thanks well” to you for your kindness.
I know tithing is a precept of holy living with both temporal and eternal benefits. I honestly believe the people who forsake this duty know in their hearts they are wrong to do so. Still, I know firsthand how the carnal mind fights every stroke of our pen as we write the check. We all know there is no such thing as “extra” money. It takes faith to sacrifice part of your income even for a righteous cause. I find it very humbling that you chose to send your gift to Workers Together With Him.
So why would I find it so difficult to give thanks? Partially because I want to be clear what it is I am thankful for.
The thing is (and God knows this) I know my success or failure as a minister has nothing to do with how much money you send me. Any lack I face will be evidence of my own lack of faith, not yours. After all it was not you who commissioned me to this work. The one who calls is the one who provides. Otherwise the minister would be of all men most subject to many masters.
But in the same way the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee, I cannot say I have no need of your support. The church is a body, not a collection of body parts. Your gifts allow me to devote myself to this work. If that is a contradiction, so be it. Life is full of things that are past figuring out.
I thank God for your lives, and I thank you for your involvement in this ministry. I cannot do this work without the tangible kind of support you provide, and so I pray you embrace the successes of Workers Together With Him as your personal success as well.
If the Lord tarries and life goes on as planned, 2013 looks to be a busy year for me starting next week when I travel to Switzerland to teach my seminar Mapping the Psalms. Less than three weeks after my return to the States I go on mission to Kenya. I am grateful for these invitations and excited to see these events unfold. I ask for your continued prayers for this work, and for my wife and family while I’m away.
I am glad that God gives us a special language by which we can truly give thanks well. But that language is reserved for giving thanks to God. As for my expression of thanks to you, I acknowledge that you deserve better.
In the service of his Majesty, the King of kings,
Tim Sullivan
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