Sowing Bountifully: Our Responsibility to Reach the World

In the Sunday evening service, Pastor Chris Parker returned to the phrase “as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men” from Galatians 6:10, carrying forward the previous Sunday’s message into the realm of Christian responsibility and stewardship. Beginning with Acts 1:8 and the Lord’s promise that His people would be witnesses “unto the uttermost part of the earth,” he reminded the church that we are not saved by works but saved unto good works – when God saves us, He places responsibilities on our plate: worshiping and glorifying God, studying the Word, praying without ceasing, serving others, witnessing, fellowshipping, living righteously, forgiving one another, and growing in grace. The heart of the message came from 2 Corinthians 9:1-10, the great missions-giving passage: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Giving is to be as each purposes in his own heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, “for God loveth a cheerful giver” – and you can never outgive God, who ministers seed to the sower and is able to make all grace abound. Pastor Parker illustrated with memories of Dr. Bob Dayton of BIMI and the joyful giving of poor believers in Central America who brought eggs and chickens as their offerings, contrasting their joy with frowning Christians in padded, air-conditioned pews. He then pressed the application: we take the gospel to the world at home, next door, at work, and through the church’s support of 120 missionaries around the globe. God could have sent angels or written John 3:16 across the sky, but His plan is for His children to carry the message person to person, whatever the cost. The message closed with a challenge to pray, to go, to give, and to be involved in reaching the uttermost parts of the earth.