RCCG: Place of His Presence

SPIRIT OF FRUITFULNESS.  Matthew 25: 14 - 30

Introduction:

We all want a better spouse, friend, job, car, house, brethren, financial situation, this and that. We want a better tomorrow, too. We live in “today”, the present. We may have money, a spouse, friend, job, car, church, or not. But, we have something, we live somewhere, have £1, etc, today. While looking for more or better, how we deal with what we have in hand, determines whether we will get more or better.

It is very vital how we relate to our present circumstance, location and position, because that is how we will relate to our future (Luke 16:10). And, as a result of our present attitude, we may or may not have more money, a beautiful church, good friends, closeness with God, better life, or whatever it is we are looking for. If you cannot do good, do well, or please God where we are now, we may as well forget asking for more or better by constant prayers or fasting.

5 Lessons To Learn About Our Present Location or Allocation:

1.       Testifying: Do we let people know how faithful God is to us? Some testify when they are healed. Does this mean healing is more important than being healthy? Some testify when they find something than was lost. But all the time you had it, did you testify of God’s goodness that you have a mobile phone to receive calls with? Even, that you have food on your table, is worth testifying about –that is a awesome miracle to some families in Haiti and Afghanistan right now.

In 2 Kings 4:13, when asked if she needed anything, the Shunammite responded that she was OK because her people have provided everything for her. How many of us give such testimony of our God’s provision? Especially, when it was Elisha making the offer and she had no child? Ok, maybe she did not know Elisha had double-barrelled anointing. But, she knew he had the king’s ears! Though we still desire many things in life, do we testify of the ones we already have, to God’s praise and glory?

2.       Gratitude: We look too much to what we want and not much on what we have. Instead of being grateful for what we have, the little place we have, the “little” money we have, our humble situation and making the best we can out of that, we are unappreciative and treat it with contempt. We complain about this person, job, position, location and situation. A complainant is not a happy person. That is why there are few testimonies, and there is gloominess and lack of joy, because our heart is not in what we have now. We are longing for other things.

In Luke 10: 40 – 41, while Martha had Jesus present with her, she was busy about what she wanted –preparing to be an excellent hostess, instead of making the best of the moment and feeding from Christ as much as she could –which was what Mary was doing.

3.       Fruitfulness: What have we done with the “little” we have been given? What is the justification for our wanting more? Because we “function best in the midst of plenty”? The “little” responsibility we have been given, how are we handling it? Blaming others, complaining about stuff, giving up and quitting? Or, are we productive, fruitful and “can do” in it?

Note, in verse 14 of the Bible passage, that the master called “his own servants” (KJV). This illustrates that he knew or had an idea of their “abilities”. And, as every wise person would do, he gave more to the ones he thought would be more fruitful. In the end, he was justified.  He had 15 talents from 8. If he had given 5 talents to the fruitless servant, he would have had 11 from 8 talents. Personalising this; do I think God will grant me more when distributing blessings or the “more” I am looking for? Ask yourself too.

4.       Faithfulness: How faithful are we in that “little” that we have –the “talent” parable was given that we may examine ourselves by it –for our instruction!

We have seen that the master in the parable knew or guessed who to give more and who to give less. He had more confidence in the servant he gave the most to (similar to God’s confidence in Abraham in Genesis 18:19 KJV) and he had the least confidence in the fruitless servant, hence he gave him the least. He may have been “iffy” about the servant he gave two talents to –next time, I am sure that servant will been given mush more too. Where do we stand in that rating scale? With what we have been given, let us examine ourselves and answer by ourselves.

5.       Promotion: The increase, “more” and better life/situation we want comes from the Lord and He will apportion to everyone according to our work. In assessing our work, how we used our position, experience, knowledge, health, “little” money, time and so many things will be scrutinized. Will our work stand the test of the refining fire?

Romans 2: 4 says “God will give to each person according to what he has done." (NIV). We want increase, blessings and promotion. By the way we dealt with what we have already received; what we have now and where we are now, we can guess whether God will give us that promotion or not.

How to be fruitful:

1.       Erase “can’t be bothered” attitude. The mentality that I do not have to put in my best because the task or business “is not even mine,” must be done away with. Imagine the fruitless servant could not be bothered to even give the talent to others to trade with, so that the master will receive some interest upon his return! We must see our job, volunteering, responsibility and task at home, work place, church as our own business. As we want others to do to us, we must do to them and whatever they place in our care.  If we sow good seeds, we will receive good fruits in return (Galatians 6:7).

2.       Be of few words. Let our action speak louder than our mouth. Instead of making promises, let us do our very best in every situation and let our works speak for us. Too many works lead to trouble, delay and even destruction. There’s no fruitfulness in the grave (Proverbs 13:3)

3.       Never doubt. Doubt removes us from the realm of miracles & possibilities. Believe it can be done. A “can do” mentality helps us push through every barrier and limitation to achieve goals –and because we believe it is possible, heaven favours us too (Matthew 21:21).

4.       Fear not. Jesus said in John 16:33 that He has overcome the world. Of course there will be challenges and though decisions to make, we should have confidence that we will have the results because of Christ and the good work we are engaged in. Tribulations are a terror to those who allow them to be that. The spirit of fear is dangerous; it can never lead to fruitfulness. The Israeli army were in fear when challenged by Goliath, but David was not. Deuteronomy 31:6 says God is with you, fear nothing.

5.       Be faithful. In their generation, Jacob & Joseph were faithful in whatever task they were given by Laban, Potiphar and Pharaoh, respectively. So were the fruitful servants in our passage. Let faithfulness be habitual.

6.       Avoid judging others. Everyone has their part cut out for them. Let us learn to do our own bit. We should not look to see if the other person’s task is lesser; whether our leader or the one we render service/help to deserves it or not. Let us serve them as if we are serving God –because every self-less service is really a service to God (Colossians 3:23 – 25).

7.       Spend time with God. We may plant and do all manner of good works, without God the increase we desire will not come. We need Him to cause our seed to grow, increase and multiply (1 Corintians 3:6). John 3:27 says “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” (NIV).

8.       Be teachable. This is a very hard thing for many of us –to humble ourselves to be taught. We believe we are right and we know it all. But, others have been put as head not us, we need to listen to and take instructions from them. They may be there ones to promote or recommend us for promotion. Also, they may have experience in that area which we can benefit from –and, even improve upon for a better result. Some even resist the teaching of the Lord (Proverbs 14:12).

9.       Do not procrastinate. Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do today. Delay could be costly and if we keep employing excuses, we will not achieve what we ought to achieve (Ecclesiastes 11:4). The idiom says procrastination is the thief of time. Time wasted is lost and will never be regained. Notice the fruitful servants “went off right away”.

10.   Be result-oriented. We should not bury our talent, or be afraid to share our ideas and experiences, or to invest, endeavour or try out things. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Let us seek to make something out of what we have or where are now, fruits will surely follow (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

Conclusion:

Some have more than enough and are having more; some lack and even lose further. This is due to the spirit in them; how they deal with their present location, situation, position and the other things in their lives (Matthew 25: 29). Those who are fruitless, idle, careless and lack commitment, will long and desire for but will still be in lack (Proverbs 13:4). Why? Because of their fruitless spirit –they are ungratefulness, lazy, envious, judgemental, careless, indolent, whinger and unfaithful . They never take action or take charge; they are not dedicated, loyal or commitment, they stand aloof and will not pressing on for result. We must work to cast off that spirit of fruitlessness from our lives and ways.

Let us pray for the spirit of fruitfulness. Once you have made that prayer, make plans to live a fruitful live daily. May God help us, all. Amen!