How Much I Could Have Done
The true measure of service to God is not by how much we have done, but by how much we could have done.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that before the judgment seat of Christ, our service will be evaluated not by the quantity of our actions but by the potential we had to serve and give. He argues that true giving is measured by the sacrifice of self and the love behind the gift, rather than its size. Tozer highlights the collective responsibility within the church, noting that the effectiveness of ministry often relies on the willingness of all members to contribute. He warns that many may be unwilling to serve, leading to a disparity in effort and accountability before God. The sermon concludes with a prayer for complete self-giving in service to God and others.
Text
And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. --2 Corinthians 8:5
Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done. In God's sight my giving is measured not by how much I have given but by how much I could have given and how much I had left after I made my gift. The needs of the world and my total ability to minister to those needs decide the worth of my service.
Not by its size is my gift judged, but by how much of me there is in it. No man gives at all until he has given all. No man gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice....
In the work of the church the amount one man must do to accomplish a given task is determined by how much or how little the rest of the company is willing to do. It is a rare church whose members all put their shoulder to the wheel. The typical church is composed of the few whose shoulders are bruised by their faithful labors and the many who are unwilling to raise a blister in the service of God and their fellow men. There may be a bit of wry humor in all this, but it is quite certain that there will be no laughter when each of us gives account to God of the deeds done in the body. That Incredible Christian, 105.
"Help me to give of myself completely today, Lord. I hold nothing back, even if at the end of the day I'm the only one with a bruised shoulder. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Measure of Service
- The Gift of Self
- The Responsibility of the Church
- The Amount of Work Determined by Others
- The Typical Church: Few Laborers and Many Slackers
Key Quotes
“Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done.” — A.W. Tozer
“No man gives at all until he has given all.” — A.W. Tozer
“No man gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should strive to give ourselves completely to God, holding nothing back.
- We should be willing to take on more responsibility in the church, rather than relying on others.
- We should give ourselves in love and sacrifice, rather than just giving our time or resources.