Do Things by Faith
Eccl. 11:4- 8
Introduction
Faith is a very broad subject but maybe one of the most encouraging topic especially when you talk
about God and everyday living. There is always risks in everything we do. The consequences
sometimes are favourable and sometimes not. However, we must trust only in Christ who makes all
things possible and beautiful.
I. In our Service (Eccl. 11:4-6)
A. We should keep diligently at work in God’s service, disregarding present
inconveniences and unfavourable appearances. The duty is ours; the reward is God’s
decision; when and in what measure he pleases.
B. One can become obsessed with watching the uncontrollable events of life to the
point of inactivity
C. There is danger in being overly cautious.
D. Going to the mission field includes, danger, personal inconveniences, sacrifices,
leaving our comfort zones and loved ones, financial trouble, dealing with the
unknown. But if the Lord call us, we should answer His call.
E. If we will look at the difficult things and not to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
then we can never follow the Great Commission, besides serving the Lord is not an
easy job.
F. We will never know what is going to happen next but we can trust God who control
all the events and circumstances that is going to happen in our lives.
G. Just as nobody knows “the way of the spirit” or how the bones are formed in the
womb (Ps. 139:14-15), what lies ahead is unknown to us. God has a time and a
purpose for everything (Eccl. 3:1-11), so we must live by faith in His Word.
Therefore, use each day wisely (v. 6). Get up early and sow your seed, and work hard
until evening. Do the job at hand and “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:15-17), trusting
God to bless at least some of the tasks you have accomplished. Just as the merchant
sends out more than one ship, so the farmer works more than one crop.
H. Life is an adventure of faith, and each of us is like a merchant, investing today in that
which will pay dividends tomorrow. We are like the farmer, sowing various kinds of
seeds in different soils, trusting God for the harvest (Gal. 6:8-9; Ps. 126:5-6; Hos.
10:12). If we worried about the wind toppling a tree over on us, or the clouds
drenching us with rain, we would never accomplish anything. “Of course, there is no
formula for success,” said famous concert pianist Arthur Rubinstein, “except perhaps
an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.” (Bible Exposition
commentary).
Illustration: A Life Once Spent Is Irrevocable
A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity.…The same may
be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it
will exhibit forever.…Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our
everlasting destiny.…How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness…! It is too late
to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to
send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us
reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked.
Adoniram Judson, in E. Judson, The Life of Adoniram Judson (Anson, Randolph & Company, 1883),
pp. 13-15
II. Just sow the seed (Eccl. 11:6)
A. The seed spoken here is the word of God (Lk. 8:11) which should not only be sown
far and wide, but also in both morning and evening. Then it is God that “giveth the
increase”. (1 Cor. 3:7).
B. The word “withhold not thy hand” means “do not be idle”.
C. Sometimes we “sow our seed” when we’re young. We “invest” in our own future
and the ministry God will give us. Lots of people have done that by pursuing
education. Many have used the years of their youth to learn skills that they are now
using for the Lord. That’s casting your bread in the water while it’s still morning
D. Sowing seed is not a youthful activity only. You should sow your seeds even when
you are older. I would say this is sowing in the evening. You don’t know how many
years God has left for you. There may still be plenty of thing He wants you to do.
E. Your time is growing short. Your later years are an important time to make an
investment in the future specially in the work of the Lord.
F. Remember what you invest in eternity last forever. That’s why Solomon said “in the
evening withhold not thine hand.” God pays the highest possible dividend on
investment.
G. Lots of people read good Christian books, listen to Christian programs, and get great
benefits from Christian resources, but they never give anything back. They never
sow their seed. What you invest in time, benefits you in time. What you invest in
eternity, benefits you in time and eternity.
III. Investing in the Future
A. God is asking us to invest in the future not knowing exactly what the future hold,
and not really expecting anything to come back to us.
B. Is that wise?
C. It’s doing what is right, even though no one may know except God. But He is the
great rewarder. He keeps accurate account. He pays the highest possible dividend
on investments.
D. He wants you to benefit to the fullest extent possible from sowing your seed or
casting your bread.
E. Charity work and benevolence done in the name of the Christ without view for
personal return will be greatly honoured by God in the future.
F. Do Godly things by faith even at the cost of personal convenience now will reap
rewards in the future.
Illustration: How Many People Will Be in Heaven Because of Us?
The renowned 19th-century English preacher C. H. Spurgeon told this story about King Cyrus, the
man who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews from captivity: A visitor who was admiring Cyrus’
gardens said it gave him much pleasure. “Ah,” said Cyrus, “but you have not so much pleasure in this
garden as I have, for I have planted every tree in it myself.”
Spurgeon then commented, “One reason some saints will have a greater fullness of heaven than
others will be that they did more for heaven than others. By God’s grace they were enabled to bring
more souls there.”
those words should cause all of us who know the Lord to do some serious thinking. How many
people will be in heaven because of us? Our desire should be that when we reach our eternal home,
some will say to us, “I’m so thankful for you. It was your testimony, your life, your invitation to
accept Christ that accounts for my being here today.” The apostle Paul anticipated the joy in heaven
of seeing people who were there as a result of his ministry (1 Thess. 2:19-20).
Yes, heaven’s joys will be the fullest for those who have helped lead others to Christ. So, do all you
can to bring to Jesus those who are lost in sin. That’s how you can lay up pleasures in heaven!
IV. Conclusion:
Truly we do all things by faith and leave the result to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Sowing the seed or casting your bread in the water will never be easy but in the future,
the return will be enormous and beyond what you can think of and imagine. Will you do
things by faith now? Try it for you will never regret it.
