Missionary or Mercenary

These two words start with the letter M and end with the syllables “nary.” They may look identical and both may connote expatriates in another country, but in essence they stand in stark contrast against each other.

Let me clarify the meaning of each word before I proceed. A missionary is someone who goes forth in the name of Jesus to fulfill the gospel commission. A mercenary on the other hand risks his life and limb in another country for the main purpose of personal gain.

The life of a missionary has uncertainties related to sustenance and the outcome of the mission. Support for his efforts is propped up by the pledges of the sending institution and his ability to ply his trade or expertise in support for his mission. Paul – God’s first and foremost missionary to the non-Jew world supported his mission by building and repairing tents. He was a lofty Pharisee before his conversion, but he dumped his classy robes for the lowly tailor garb just so he could support himself in preaching the gospel. He was also supported by the converts who believed in this commission.

Most often the missionary embarks on his journey with only faith to hold on to. There is no contract as to how much he will receive and the benefits that he will reap while at the job and after it. The missionary has to keep his pledged supporters with updates on his work and sometimes remind them of their pledges or he would go hungry.

Contrary to the missionary, the mercenary is protected by a contract, which stipulates the amount of money he will receive and the benefits that he will get during and after his tenure. Faith is not a component in his job, because the contract clearly states the money matters. The mercenary knows that his contractor is rich enough and regular enough to keep him supplied and contented or he won’t sign the contract in the first place.

In some cases the dividing line between the missionary and mercenary is blurred when it comes to religious activities by certain groups who lay claim to the “missionary” title. They assert that they are true missionaries who go out in the name of Jesus. They go about preaching, teaching and doing medical work with the label “missionary” and some honestly believe that indeed they are missionaries, but are they really true to the calling of the gospel or are they conveniently there to make money like a mercenary?

So how do we separate true missionary from the bogus one and what can be the gauge to distinguish one from the other? Easy! Just compare the lifestyle and standard of living of both groups and you will note that the mercenary is busy acquiring land, cars and houses while on the job. His kids can get the most expensive education there is and when he retires he’ll be sure of healthcare and sustenance. While on the job, the mercenary’s bank account is growing and he has the assurance that at the end of his term he can live an easy life.

The missionary on the other hand is no richer nor well off than when he started his mission. Most often he doesn’t come back to his own country, but keeps on his mission until he dies. A retirement home is not one that he built with financial gains from being a missionary – because there actually is no financial gain. He considers the missionary journey as his temporary abode and heaven his only true and permanent home.