Two Blights

"Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord, Thou hast increased the nation: Thou art glorified: Thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth." Isaiah 26:15

"...God gave the increase." I Corinthians 3:6

American consumerism has forced an infectious blight across the Church (at least in the West), and that is the blight of results. We honestly believe that it is our duty and job to get people saved, disciple the brethren, and change the world. Consequently, if something does not produce results, if a word, action, stance, or ministry does not "come through" with anything, the it is not worthy of trying. Such a stance is completely unscriptural.

Christ never told us to "save" anybody; He told us to get the word out, to teach and preach (Matthew 28:19, 20 & Mark 16:15). Whether or not people get saved is not our concern; it is God's. Preaching the gospel (in word and deed) is our "bit," while salvation is God's. We water, we plant, but God produces results (I Corinthians 3:6).

Here's another one: nowhere does the Bible say we are to win something when we battle. Our ultimate end for armoring up is not to win, but to stand (Ephesians 6:13). So many of us do not stand up for the truth because it will not "do" anything. "I could say such-and-such to so-and-so, but it will not change him." Whether it does something our not is not our business; it is our business to stand, and God's business to win, and you never know what words or deeds He will use to win.

As a side effect, the blight of results produces what can be called the blight of quotas. Witnessing and ministries become gigantic score cards, and the more points the merrier. "If I can just save so many a week, I'll find favor with God." That Christ died is the only proof we need that God favors us to the uttermost. Witnessing and ministries are not about earning brownie points; ultimately, they are about drawing closer to God. The closer you are to Him, the more He can work through you to touch other people. Our Christian "duties" are just as beneficial to us as to others.

That, however, is what we truly miss in our service to God: we are just as much recipients of His presence as the people we touch. Results and Quota based witnessing and ministries focus solely on the self: what am I doing? How do I stack up? Consequently, they are founded on pride, and will fail; this is the source of many dried up and broken ministries. If, however, we do not see ourselves as producers of results or keepers of quotas, and instead see ourselves as receivers of God's presence just as much as those we minister, then the basis for the ministry is on God alone, and He always produces results and meets His quotas (though we may not see them at the time). With God as our base, we will not care about ourselves a bit, but instead say, "O Lord, Thou hast increased the nation: Thou art glorified."

God gives the increase, not us. Blessings and honor and glory and favor be upon Him, not us (Psalm 115:1). If we stop trying to make results, and simply walk with God through our lives, we will be amazed at the opportunities that He brings our way.

"Not from our hands, O Lord.

Not from our strength or might.

But from your throne

From You alone

Does all my increase come..."

-Jon Vowell