Sermons
He Who Waters Will Be Watered
Series: TurbulenceLink to sermon video: He Who Waters Will Be Watered - T Siverd
HE WHO WATERS WILL BE WATERED
Sermon By Terry Siverd / October 25, 2020 / Cortland Church of Christ
In light of this special announcement, my sermon time this morning will be shortened considerably. I have a brief message from the book of Proverbs that is perhaps one of the most important lessons we'll ever hear. Please turn to Proverbs 11:25 - -
NASV / The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.
NIV / A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
NCV / Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped.
ESV / Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
KJV / The liberal soul will be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Don't think of “fat” as being obese in an unhealthy sense. “Fat” connotes the idea of being well-supplied and joy-filled.
AMP / The generous man (is a source of blessing and) shall be prosperous and enriched. And he who waters will will himself be watered (reaping the generosity he has sown).
If I had to chose one single proverb that has the greatest capacity to alter our lives, this would to be a top contender. Although this proverb is a truism, we don't always act as if it is OBVIOUS. It is true - - it works - - because it is ordained of God, but it requires the obedience of faith to put it into action.
HOW DO WE WATER THE LIVES OF OTHERS?
This proverb is not just focused on a monetary remuneration (quid pro quo / this for that). In other words, this is not: “I'll give you $100 and I will anticipate I will get back $100 in return. Neither is it, “I'll give you $100 with the assurance from God that I will get my $100 back with interest to boot.”
Watering may take place when we engage in assisting others monetarily, but there are so many ways to water. I once heard Pete Nash (the preacher for the Warren congregation) tell a story (with genuine emotion) about how, in his first cold Warren winter, Tony & Margaret took him and bought him a winter coat. I knew of another family that heard of a legitimate need, and bought a family a new fridge, no strings attached. Stinginess is not a Christian virtue and God blesses those whose generosity includes opening their wallet.
Jesus knew this proverb well. As recorded in Luke's account of the sermon on the mount, Jesus reiterated this proverb and embellished it with his own words (Lk.6:38) - - Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Jesus is noted for hundreds of quotable quotes. Although not written verbatim anywhere in the Scriptures, Paul told the Ephesians elders, remember the words of Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' (Acts 20:35).
God has blessed us abundantly, but this abundance is not restricted to a dollar amount. Even poor people can live a life of abundance. My maternal grandparents were not at all well to do, but they were RICH in so many other ways. Abundance is measured by much more than just dollars and cents.
Often times our watering takes place in the form of doing a good deed to help others. Prov.19:17 states, He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed. When Peter summarizes the life of Jesus, he speaks of how He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). The apostle Paul spoke about the importance of doing good deeds. In Gal.6:2, he encourages us to bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. In Titus 2:7, he admonishes Titus to be an example of good deeds... In Titus 3:8, he urges even more: be careful to engage in good deeds. In Heb.13:16, he warns, do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Whenever we are studying the Scriptures and we read that a certain action pleases God, it needs to be underlined. Beyond being underlined in our study Bible, it needs to be underscored and put into practice in our Christian walk.
Thirdly, and lastly, frequently we participate in watering by speaking helpful words. Prov.18:21 records - - Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Prov.25:11 declares, Like apples of gold in a setting of silver, is a word fitly spoken... Much of our best watering comes from the words we speak to others. Regarding this point some of us need to give a little more forethought as to what, when and how we say things. Our words have the capacity to tear down as well as lift up. We need to concentrate on the latter. We sometimes remain silent when a word of encouragement could make such a difference! Last Sunday we attended a memorial for John Fisher, the father to Sue Richards, Debbie Bissell & Joan McAllister. Many of his family & friends who gave testimonials about his life spoke of him as a Barnabas. How great a eulogy it is to be remembered first and foremost as being a “son of encouragement”. Many times we major on the minors. Using our words to build up others is majoring on the major. Prov.11:24 affirms, there is one who scatters (gives), but increases all the more... And Prov11:28 announces, he who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish life a green leaf.
I promised you brevity. Here is a lesson that is both short & sweet - - both powerful & significant!
God sees all and God knows all and He won't be hoodwinked by self-serving interests. His spoken law for mankind will be neither overturned nor laughed at. Gal.6:7-8 states - - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give!”
Let us leave here this morning more determined than ever to water the many others all around us.
Dear Heavenly Father: You have been to us a true Father of Mercies and a Fountain Of Every blessing. We are so very grateful for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. We are also thankful for the abundance that streams our way each and every day. Help us to be fountain of blessing, to water those all around us. Through Christ Jesus, The Living Water, we pray. Amen
