The Church XXI - Quality And Quantity

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 10 September 2000 11 am English Service

Introduction: When we introduced our prayer goals for this year, several members were disturbed by the fact that numerical goals were set (eg. attendance of 200 at Midweek Teaching Service). They were worried that we, like the world and the Charismatics, had become obsessed with quantity at the expense of quality. It is true that carnal men are more concerned with quantity rather than quality because it is easier to get quantity rather than quality, and it is easier to boast about quantity rather than quality. However, we must be careful that in avoiding one extreme (of being obsessed with quantity), we do not go to the other extreme (of ignoring it completely). For example, many preachers have avoided mentioning the blessed Holy Spirit because Charismatics overly exalt Him; and many Christians are afraid to express their joy in worship because there is "false" joy in Charismatic worship. It is foolish to abandon what is good and right, just because others abuse it.

When we go fishing, do we want quality or quantity? Surely, we desire both quality and quantity. And it is possible to have both quality and quantity. In face, quality and quantity are usually interrelated rather than exclusive. For example, if we have quality members, we will attract others to the church and soon we will have quantity too. The desire to want only "quality not quantity" in the church is not only illogical but often selfish (ie, to avoid the hassles of growth).

While some Christians are averse to the mention of numbers, God is not. He tells us that He delivered 600,000 men from Egypt (EXO 12:37), that Jesus Christ ministered to "great multitudes" (MAT 4:25), that He miraculously fed five thousand (MAT 14:21), that 3000 people were saved on the day of Pentecost (ACT 2:41) and that these three thousand were "multiplied" (ACT 6:1,7). Every soul described in these accounts is a testimony of God's goodness. While numbers may be used by carnal men to boast, they may also be used by godly men to testify of God's goodness. Furthermore, each digit also represents a precious soul, a changed life, a restored marriage, etc. When we say we are not concerned with numbers, we may actually be saying that we are not concerned with people!

Faithfulness: Another common cliché that is often used by Christians is "All God expects from us is faithfulness." While this statement is biblical (1CO 4:2), most Christians do not realize the full meaning of the word "faithfulness." To most Christians, "faithfulness" is limited to the area of doctrine only. In other words, as long as a church professes orthodox doctrines, then it is faithful. But God expects us to be faithful not only in our beliefs but also in our practices (eg. how we use our talents, resources, opportunities, buildings). The parable of Talents (MAT 25:14-30) teaches us that God expects us to faithfully utilize the "talents" that He has given us. The two servants who fully utilized their talents, though they produced different results, were both commended by their master with the same commendation: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant…" (MAT 25:21, 23). The servant who failed to utilize his talent was rebuked by his master: "Thou wicked and slothful servant…" (MAT 25:26). In God's eyes, it is "wicked" not to utilize our "talents" for the furtherance of God's kingdom. He expects us to faithfully utilize all our "talents" for His glory.

Fruitfulness: God expects us not only to be faithful but He also expects us to be fruitful. Jesus teaches us that he expects us to bring forth much fruit (JOH 15:2,8,16). While the word "fruit" can refer to a holy life (GAL 5:22,23), offerings (ROM 15:28), praise (HEB 13:15) and answered prayer (JOH 15:7), it also refers to souls saved (ROM 1:13, 1CO 16:15, COL 1:6). If we faithfully use our talents to share the Gospel, God expects us to produce "much fruit." In other words, if we aim for quality in our ministries (eg. creative ideas, careful planning, wholehearted efforts, painful sacrifice) we can expect quantity to glorify God (JOH 14:8).

Conclusion: Let us serve God faithfully utilizing all our talents and not be ashamed to ask God to bless us with much fruitfulness. Let us ask specifically (ie, numerically), so that when God answers our request we will give Him the glory. Let us all pray fervently for our prayer goals!