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A Key Principle
One of the things I love about our Lord is the way in which He pulled off spectacular miracles in a quiet, unobtrusive, almost unnoticeable way.
Take the feeding of the 5,000 for example. He didn't stand up and loudly proclaim, "Behold, I am now going to feed all of your with nothing more than these five loaves of bread and two fish." There was no fanfare, no drum roll. He quietly thanked His Father for what He had and blessed it. What followed illustrates a key principle in the way He has chosen to run His kingdom. "Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people." (Luke 9:16) He didn't distribute the food Himself. He gave it to His disciples and they handed it out to the people.
It still works that way today. He gives to us so that we may in turn give to others. It is a principle that runs throughout Scripture. Take spiritual gifts, for example. 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that, "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given [what for?] for the common good." We receive that we may give to the church. When we work, we receive that we may have something to give to those in need (Ephesians 4:28).
We are never given in order to hoard for ourselves. What we receive is meant to be shared.
The principle that applies to individuals applies to churches as well. That is why it is dangerous when the focus of a church turns onto itself, when the well being or comfort or even enjoyment of the church becomes more of a priority than its mission.
We have been given a message to give to the nations. It is meant to be shared as often, and in as many ways, and with as many people as possible.
That outward focus is vital to the health of a church ... because full hands cannot receive new blessings.
- Maria Lund