“For we are God’s fellow workers” - 1 Corinthians 3:9 a (NIV)
Former head of the California Baptist Foundation, Cecil Pearson relates the story of how one morning, he was standing near a construction shack in a new subdivision in Sacramento, California, where the California Baptist Foundation had a joint venture in the con¬struction of new homes. He thought he was totally alone. Since it was Labor Day and just at sunrise, he did not expect any workers to be around. But to his surprise, the double garage doors on a new home next to the construction shop began to rise. He turned and saw the foreman of the job walk out of the garage. Before he could speak, he said, a young boy about 6-8 years of age, following the foreman, caught his attention. The man had a piece of heavy timber on his shoulder, balanced almost in the exact center, and the timber lightly rested on the shoulder of the little boy, who was walking behind him. The boy, dressed in his overalls, had a nail pouch on. His ham¬mer was almost as large as he was. Knowing who they were, Pearson laughingly said to the little boy, "Son, what in the world are you doing?" He said, “He looked up at me and responded with a bit of indignation, ‘What does it look like I am doing, Mr. Pearson? I am helping my daddy build this house.’”
That is essentially what Paul said is true God’s children in this world. We are God’s fellow workers. We are to join with our heavenly Father in building his kingdom in this world.
As we have talked about growth in giving, we have said that growth in giving means personal growth and church growth. Today, I want to conclude this series by thinking together about how growth in giving also means kingdom growth.
Every member of God’s family is called to work with their heavenly Father in building His kingdom here on earth. That was the calling of the old testament saints, and it was also the calling of the saints in the early church. It has been the calling of the saints through-out history, and it is the calling of the saints today.
One can’t help but be reminded of the words of Mordecai to his niece Esther: “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” -Esther 4:14b (NIV)
Indeed, this is our time in history to contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom on earth! What this means is that . . .
1. We are called by God to an exciting adventure.
When God called Abraham, He called him to an exciting adventure that would impact the entire world. When God called Moses, He called him to an exciting adventure that would impact the entire world. When Jesus called His disciples, He called them to an exciting adventure that would impact the entire world. When God called Paul, He called him to an exciting adventure that would impact the entire world. And today, as God calls upon us to give our time, talents, and treasure to be used in the building of His kingdom through the ministry of His church, He is calling us to an exciting adventure that will impact the entire world.
I like the name given to the program for missions involvement designed for youth called, “World Changers.” I like that name because that is exactly what God is calling each of us to become through obeying His call to grow in our giving—He is calling us to become “World Changers.”
I once had a boy ask me a very grown up question. He asked me how he, one little boy could be used of God to change the world. I told him that if he would simply give to God what God had given to him, the Lord would take and use it to accomplish His purposes; and like a pebble tossed into a pond, the ripple effect of what was given would eventually impact the entire world.
In the same way, if you and I will give to God what He calls on us to give to Him in terms of our time, talents and treasure, just like a little pebble can impact an entire body of water, so our giving can impact the entire world! God is calling us to an exciting adventure, indeed!
2. We are called by God to an exacting lifestyle.
“Now it is required that those who have been given
a trust must prove faithful.” - 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)
As ones who have been called into partnership with God in building His kingdom on earth, we must be faithful to use all he has entrusted to us in the best ways possible. This requires discipline. Indeed, part of discipleship is growing in the disciplines of giving and stewardship.
Discipline to make sure that I am not led around by the things of this world and used by the kingdom of Satan; but that I am led by the Spirit of God to use the things of this world to expand and grow the kingdom of God.
A cartoon in a newspaper featured a little girl, perhaps five or six years of age. She was dressed in a frilly dress, standing on a street corner in a busy city. She had a large rope in her hand. On the other end of the rope was a huge dog. She was leaning back, obviously straining trying to hold the dog in a stationary position. You had the impression that the dog was leading the little girl whichever way the dog wanted to go. The little girl is stomping her foot and her eyes are blazing as she says, “Now see here, Mr. Dog, let’s have an understanding! You are my big dog, but I am not your little girl!”
If we are going to contribute to the growth of the kingdom, we must make sure that we are stewards of the things we possess; not slaves possessed by our things!
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” - Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Is your life controlled by the purposes of God or by the possessions of this world?
Being called to partnership with God in growing His kingdom means we are called to an exciting adventure, an exacting lifestyle and that . . .
3. We are called by God to an enduring task.
Not many things are enduring. Yesterday’s fine home is today’s dilapidated shack. Yesterday’s strong and healthy young person is today’s weak and crippled old person. Yesterday’s river is today’s creek.
Yesterday’s work of greatness is today’s dim memory.
God’s work is the only work that will last for eternity. If you want your life to have contributed to making a lasting difference in this world, then invest your life in the work of God’s kingdom. Tie your resources to the work of his church and the cause of seeing His kingdom grow!
“If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” - Matthew 10:42 (NIV)
If, as Jesus reminds us, a cup of cold water given in His name will not be forgotten, how could a life spent in dedicating time, talents and treasure to God fail to achieve lasting and enduring results?
Several years ago, U.S. News and World Report reported that a convention of moon scientists, meeting in Newport Beach, California, declared that because of the ecological bal¬ance of the moon, the footprints of Neil Armstrong would last 25 million years!
A footprint in the dust of the moon for 25 million years! Unbeliev¬able! Incredible! But as partners with God in building the kingdom of God on earth, you and I make footprints that will last until and through eternity! Yes, as we grow in giving of our time, talents, and treasure to support the work of the church, we contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion: Will you answer God’s call to partner with Him in expanding his kingdom? Though the lifestyle to which he calls you may be exacting, the experience to which He calls you will be exciting, and the results that will come about will be eternally enduring.
THANK YOU
I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man and he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now and then he said but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School when I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave
Then another man stood before you and said remember the time
A missionary came to your church and his pictures made you cry
You didn’t have much money but you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave and that’s why I am here today
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave
One by one they came far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched by your generosity
Little things that you had done sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth in heaven now proclaimed
And I know up in heaven you’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eye
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord
He said my child look around you great is your reward.
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave
