WORDS ARE NECESSARY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

 

 

There is a popular saying, which requires some examination:

·       “Always preach the Gospel, and but use words if necessary.”

We can preach the Gospel with our lives, but words of the Gospel should accompany them. As Jesus had taught, we are the light of the world. This includes deeds, but it also should include words that give the glory to God:

·       “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:14-16)

Jesus taught that the purpose of our light (our good deeds) was to glorify the Father. However, if we fail to speak the Words of the Gospel, the glory will go to the doer of the good works and not to God.

This is why I cannot give to ministries that do not give any indication that their good works are the works of God, rather than their own. Paul also applied this principle to giving towards the needs of the Church. Fundamentally, it was also God’s giving, and He should receive the credit:

·       “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)

Our giving is a gift from God. We must not obscure the fact that our giving is a matter God providing the seed for us to sow on behalf of others (2 Corinthians 9:10). Therefore, our giving is  “overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” However, if we do not speak of God, the recipient will thank us instead, and this should not be.