Losing to Gain

What approach exactly should one take in the asking for God’s blessing for things or in endeavours? Frankly this can be quite a tricky issue since Scripture has much to say about it, and by cherry-picking what we want to hear, there is a tendency to create our own tidy little theology about God and the subject of blessing without combing Scripture in its entirety in order to gain a balanced perspective.

For the Wisdom Literature module that I recently completed at ABTS, the assignment required me to write a paper on one proverb - Proverbs 11:24. Though I was clueless at the start as to how to churn out an entire paper on just two short lines, I was amazed to discover many relevant truths and biblical principles relating to the matter of blessing and prosperity along the way…

"There is that scatters, and yet increases;
and there is that withholds more than is meet,
but it tends to poverty."
Proverbs 11:24

At first glance, this proverb appears paradoxical as it seems to runs counter to our ordinary experience and expectations. Mathematically speaking, one does not have more of something when it is given away, and in keeping something, it ought not to diminish either. However the picture that is painted here is that of economic activity in an agricultural setting. In order to reap in abundance, the farmer has to first scatter the seed liberally, far and wide. On the flipside, the converse holds true that when the farmer withholds from sowing seed, he cannot expect to harvest any crop as well. The sowing and scattering of the seed in the initial stages is an investment for the payout of future dividends. The literal interpretation of this verse is that the harvest is directly proportional to the amount of seed sown.

Some have taken this proverb along with other similar verses in Scripture, as a ‘key’ to unlock the promises of physical wealth and blessing through giving or doing good. Also known as the prosperity gospel, the theory is that one can give to get. The act of giving thus becomes motivated by the self-seeking desire to be personally prosperous, and the sovereign work of God is reduced to a simplistic formula, making Him out to be no more than the proverbial genie-in-a-bottle. What then ought to be our biblical response?

1. POSSESS a giving spirit
Firstly, we need to recognise that generosity and blessing is more than material. More than monetary generosity, having a giving spirit is the giving of our time, talents and resources both to God, as well as to others. Similarly, money or achievements are not the only forms of blessing and prosperity that we can receive. With our minds and our intellect, we learn that one of the best ways to learn is to teach; when we serve those who lack, we gain a renewed appreciation for we have - our health, abilities, loved ones. Our ability to give freely is really what helps set our priorities aright and gives us true freedom from the uncertainties and insecurities of life.

In addition, we are blessed to be a blessing. God enriches not just for our personal comfort but that we in turn might be instruments of His blessing - "being enriched in everything, to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God" (2 Cor 9:11). Some of us may be blessed with material riches or lifted up to prominent places in society that God may be glorified through us to the watching world as in the case of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3).

2. PERCEIVE God as the true source
Secondly, we ought to acknowledge that all that we are and have come from the Lord Himself. Hence when God blesses, we thank Him; when God takes away, we are able to thank Him as well as best illustrated by Job’s example, "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return...the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). We also have the faith that God is able to bless us "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20), and will work all things for good to those that love Him (Rom 8:28). When we surrender completely to His purposes for our lives, we have the wonderful assurance that there is nothing that will take place outside His will for us.

3. PRACTICE good stewardship
Finally, Christ demands faithfulness in the work He has entrusted us to do. It does not matter if we are given ten talents or just one; much wealth or modest possessions; health and vigour or a frail being. The expectation is the faithful administration of what we have, even in our vocation at work or as a student. A biblical faith which centers on Christ and not ourselves focuses on how we can go about furthering our Master’s interest as opposed to having a constant fixation on how we can bring increase to ourselves. This balanced perspective of stewardship then enables us to both rightly claim the beautiful promises of God’s blessings, and practically heed His admonitions to invest in the work of His kingdom.

We give as we have been given.

We trust the heart of the Giver as we faithfully do our part.

We believe that in order to gain true blessing, we have to lose our desire to determine for ourselves what is best, trusting the God who does know best.

Ascension Day - The Grand Culmination

Christmas means cantatas, joyful singing, month-long festivities to celebrate Christ’s birth – undisputedly the most exciting event in our Christian calendar; Good Friday arrives sombrely, we reflect on the cost of our sin – His suffering and journey to the cross, as we partake the Lord’s supper; Easter, we rejoice with resounding hallelujahs that the tomb is empty and the Christ has risen victoriously conquering sin and death! However 40 days on, Ascension Day usually comes and goes quietly without half as much notice. Yet it is a most essential part of the Christian story…

Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter, and is usually remembered the following Sunday – today in which case. It commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven after His resurrection, the grand culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry and mission.

The Significance

What is so significant about the fact that Jesus ascended into heaven? Why did He have to leave us for that very matter if we read in the gospels of how much He accomplished in person? Would things be any different if He lived amongst us till today? I for one would find that very helpful in finding answers to my questions, being assured when doubt sets in, and most of all, convincing non-believers of His existence and transforming power… Doesn’t sound like too bad a plan!

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19

In being received up into heaven by God, Christ’s ascension proclaims His rightful Lordship over all as He reigns with the sovereign authority of God, sharing in His glory and His majesty. In being seated on the right hand of God, we have the reassuring comfort that we have a great Mediator…the best Mediator who acts as our Advocate, our defence, and intercedes on our behalf in the presence of the holy Father. Instead of looking on our sin and blemish, God looks on the garments of righteousness that Christ has placed over us. In times of loneliness, suffering and persecution, we know that Jesus has walked the road before us. He hears our prayers and cries. He will come again to deliver us and crush His enemies.

“And [the disciples] went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20

The Ascension also marks the beginning of the church age, and propels us forward as His chosen means through which His Message will be heard. Christ has imbued His power in us through the Holy Spirit that we might carry on His work. This is the role of the church, our church – to be an extension of Christ through the ages, an extension of Christ throughout the community, throughout the nations. Is that really what the world can testify of us? It is most pertinent for us to stop and ponder every once in a while how much we are living up to this great calling…

Expected of Us

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8

Over the last 40 days that Jesus was on earth, He spent it appearing to many – affirming His deity and victory over death, and speaking of things concerning the kingdom of God. His final commands to His disciples, and still is to us His people today, is to go into all the world, to all the ends of the earth to bring the gospel to all creation. And He promises His presence with us. He promises the Holy Spirit.

His mission is now our mission. He has no hands and feet on earth but ours. No voice of hope, mercy and love but ours. Our hearts are to beat in union with Christ’s for the concern of God’s kingdom until He restores it wholly and completely again. Until all creation can reflect His glory perfectly and worship Him as we were made to do.

Philip Yancey words the significance of Christ’s ascension most beautifully...

The law and the prophets had focused like a beam of light
on the One who was to come,
and now that light, as if hitting a prism,
would fracture and shoot out
in a human spectrum of waves and colours.

May we truly be that burst of brilliance and colour to pierce this dark world blind to Jesus… He is risen and has ascended!