Joshua 4:23–24 says, “For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.”

Even a casual reading of the Word of God will reveal to us that God desires that all the people of the earth, in every generation, know about Him. In every generation from Adam and Eve to the present time, God has been speaking to someone and working through someone to make Himself known to the people of that generation.

In Genesis 1:28, God said to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth.” Notice the word, earth. He is not concerned for only one part of the world, but for the entire earth. In Genesis 9:1 God reiterates this command to Noah and his family when He said to them, “Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth.” Notice again the word, earth.

It should not surprise us to learn that the descendents of Noah refused to obey the command. In fact, they did the very opposite of what God had commanded. They decided to build a huge tower that would be a rallying point for all the people. Notice the purpose for the building of the tower. They desired to stay together even though God had said to replenish the whole earth.

When we study the history of Christianity it is the common tendency for all of the blessed people to stay in one geographical location. However, when we read the Bible, we realize that God does not bless certain people in order for them to stay together and make a name for themselves, but He blesses them that they might be a blessing to all the people of the earth.

Recently a magazine came across my desk. It had a picture of a beautiful, new auditorium. Inscribed over the picture were these words, “The measure of a church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.” Thank God for large churches. But the ultimate aim should be that we would not only bring people in, but that we would send them out. We have a great example in the book of Acts. The church at Antioch was a growing church in a large growing city. However, when the Holy Spirit called out their great leaders, Barnabas and Saul, they did not hesitate. They sent them to reach a lost and dying world.

I have noticed in churches that constantly send out their godly members to evangelize the world, that God is constantly sending others to replace them. This should not surprise us. God has given us a great promise. Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you…” I believe that this applies not only to material things but also to personnel. We should rejoice when God calls out our very best to go to the uttermost parts of the earth.