Last week we looked at Jesus feeding the 5000 in John 6, and from that we took a model of how it is that the Church is to function. We are to be distributors of God’s grace in this world. We said that it was believed that God would use us as a channel for people to come through to be equipped and for financial provisions to flow through that we may provide. Finally we said that God is interested in using us greatly, but He is not interested in making us look great.
Now, what I want to do this morning, and in the upcoming weeks, is provide a strong Scriptural basis for why I believe God wants to use us in this fashion. Because we realize this will take great faith and faith comes from hearing the Word of God, I want to ground this vision in the Scriptures. In other words, I do not want us to think we are simply acting upon a vision someone has, but rather a vision that God, Himself, has laid out for us.
The text we will start with is in some sense a foundational text for my life. It has been something that I have gone back to for months in looking for God to use us greatly in advancing His Kingdom. And a few weeks back, after expressing that he believed God was leading him to oversee the financial ministry here, Mark Rager shared with me a verse in this passage that he believed was the idea upon which God wanted us to base the financial area of our ministry. Mark, this morning let me say that I agree wholeheartedly. And let me also say that if Mark is to lead this in the fashion that his heart feels it should go, then he will need the support and prayers of all of us. So, this morning, I want us to examine this passage deeply, absorbing it into our thoughts, and then I want us to lay hands on Mark and pray for our brother as he leads an important aspect of God’s work here.
I believe this passage speaks such a strong word of encouragement and motivation to us as we strive toward God using us as a channel that I debated titling this message, “Why this vision will work.” And in some sense, what will flow out of this passage could fall under this title. So, as we look at this, ask God to store in your mind these truths that will provide encouragement in the days, months, and years ahead.
The first truth we come to in this passage is a principle of Scripture. It is a principle that many feel uncomfortable talking about because it has been misunderstood, incorrectly lived out, and therefore has brought to many a hesitance in teaching. But the principle is this. If we choose to sow sparingly into advancing God’s Kingdom, we will reap sparingly, but if we sow bountifully (or in great measure) and with joy, we will reap bountifully. Let’s read it in for ourselves in verse 6, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.”
The reason many want to avoid this text is because money enters our mind immediately doesn’t it? And money is not always a fun topic to talk about with people. No matter how many different people are in a crowd, one will surely be offended if the conversation turns to money.
Let me paraphrase this idea inserting the idea of money as our seed, and I believe that you will see what I mean. “He who sows his money into advancing the Kingdom sparingly will also reap money sparingly, but he who sows his money in great measure for this purpose will also reap money in great measure.” Do you see why it’s a touchy issue now? The reason is because many have perverted the idea of God blessing His children. Many Christians have come into great wealth and have used that wealth simply to fulfill their every lust in the midst of a needy group of people, and then they praise God for blessing them that they may do so. You ask one of these people how God is working in his or her life and the person might point you to a luxurious house that is, in actuality, a fulfillment of their lust as opposed to something that they’ve built to minister to those in need of shelter or other things. This is the idea of the “prosperity gospel” that puts a sick taste in everyone’s mouth, and should.
Scripture does not say that God does not want to bless His people, financially or otherwise. The key is, however, He wants to bless those whose hearts are focused on using His blessings to advance His Kingdom. God does not want to bless greedy people that they may hoard up their wealth, and if He does, it is to bring them to repentance. That’s why he called the man who built bigger and bigger barns a fool. However, God does want to bless those who are using what He gives them to advance the Kingdom.
And so, he lays out this principle which says, if you are willing to sow bountifully, I will allow you to reap bountifully. Why? In order that we may build bigger and bigger barns or houses or whatever? No. But in order that we may be able to continue our heart’s desire of sowing our blessings into His Kingdom.
A few weeks back while we were taking up offering, Mark prayed, “God use us to be a people through which you may channel millions of dollars.” Is that a prayer of greediness? No. He did not say, “God, increase our bank account,” but rather, “Channel money through us.” And as Mark prayed this, I’m sure that his heart was anxious to give. He was excited about the thought. And such is the idea of verses 6-7. God wants to bless bountifully those who are sowing bountifully into the advancement of His Kingdom from hearts of joy. We see this principle again in Luke 6:38 as He records our Lord’s words, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap, for by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” God wants to give and in a fashion far from sparingly, but it is contingent upon His people giving. “Give, and it will be given to you …”
I think there is a picture that demonstrates this nicely. I used to live near Cumberland Falls. It is a huge waterfall in eastern Kentucky. Tons of gallons of water pour over this waterfall every second. In fact, the water pours over in such great quantity and force that people who have fallen over the falls have actually been killed. A few miles away from the falls, one can find a pond. This pond has water flowing into it, but water is not flowing from it. And therefore it smells and is stagnant and one’s eyes could not even see through the filthy water. Such is the picture of a person who hoards and a person who cheerfully gives. The first will grow stagnant and never know the joy for with they are longing. The second will probably not only rejoice greatly in blessing others, but (like the waterfall) will be amazed because the source of the blessings seems to never run dry. We need to be like this waterfall and never stop the flow of blessings with which God might bless us. May we sow bountifully and cheerfully with His blessings.
The second truth here is a promise that God gives us. It is in verses 8-11, and I believe it is the heart of this passage. Let’s first look at verse 8 which reads, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” Do we realize what Scripture says here as we undergo attempting to follow God and His leading? It says that God is a God who supplies grace for the purpose of His people being able to minister. Therefore, when we encounter a great need, we need to realize a few things from this promise. First, it is not our job to supply the grace (whether it be money, people, or whatever) for good works. It is God. He is the one who supplies. Second, He is wanting to supply for those wanting to do good deeds. Do you remember how I tried to point out last week that our problem is not that we are desiring and attempting good deeds but are simply lacking in what we need, but rather that we are not seeking good deeds. I believe this verse is the basis for such a thought.
And in case this verse does not provide enough confidence for you, let’s read verse 10-11. “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food (i.e., God), will supply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”
Note the sureness with which Paul writes. He says, “He … will supply your seed” and “you will be enriched.” And for what purpose? He writes, “for sowing” and “for all liberality.” Set your heart and mind on good works and believe God’s Word that He will provide for these purposes. As I listened to Paul Washer, who sponsors missionaries all over the world talk about the financial aspect of this work he began to cry. He said, “For the past years that God has led us to do this, we have needed thousands of dollars each month, in order to support families, and God has always provided. He is so good.” When I heard Paul say this months ago, my heart was stirred to understand that the greatest thing a child of God can do is to live to show the world that our God is faithful and can be trusted. May we believe His Word, act on it, and begin to show the world this very thing. After all, our God truly is so good, and He has never failed and never will. We need to remember this in our prayers—corporate and private.
So, thus far we have shown a principle and a promise that God has given in His Word that provides a solid foundation for the work ahead. I want to conclude (as the passage does), showing you the purposes of such a work.
Verses 11-14 read, “You will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For he ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.”
I want to point out the results that God accomplishes in using His people as a channel for such a work of service. And the results are directly from this passage as I’ve. First, people’s needs are met and God receives thanksgiving (vv. 11-12). As people are provided with their physical needs or monetary needs as well as receiving the gospel through the individuals God will use, they will in turn give thanks to God. And if we are people who truly love our God with everything and our neighbor as ourselves, this should drive our hearts to see men receiving blessings from God and thanking the One who is the giver of all life.
Second, and our ultimate purpose for existence, God will be glorified (v13). You see, it will be obvious, and we will attempt to make it obvious that we are not the ones supplying the needs or individuals with the gospel, but that it is God. We are simply being obedient to His heart’s desire to take His good news to every nation. When men see that, God will be glorified. I get tears in my eyes picturing a stranger, that God has blessed using us as a channel, praising the One due all praise.
And finally, the prayer of Jesus that we would be one will begin to grow in fruition. The body of Christ will be praying and longing for one another because of the grace of God. Verse 14 says they will, “by prayer … yearn for you.” I do not know that there would be anything else that could bring God more glory and His people more joy than this.
As we understand the principle underlying this vision before us, the promises God has given us, and the purpose for which we are striving and praying, then I cannot see how we cannot feel greatly blessed that we get to be a part of this. This is not a burdensome work to which our eyes have been opened. It is a blessing and gift from God. And as He works it in us, I believe our attitude will result in Paul’s words in verse 15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” And remember this as we support our dear brother and one another with prayer and encouragement. What a joy we have to be able to serve God and His purposes! Amen.