Pay it Forward -August 15, 2021

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Pay it Forward
Text: Ephesians 4:20-28
Thesis: The principle to “pay it forward” has its origins in scripture. Jesus, the disciples,
and the Apostle Paul modeled this principle.
I. The Apostle Paul promotes healthy ambition. (vs 28a)
A. The Apostle Paul described laziness as a form of stealing.
1. Scripture teaches not to be slothful, lazy or a sluggard.
• “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4)
• “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” (Proverbs 12:24)
• “Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4)
• “I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up
everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to
what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” (Proverbs
24:30-34)
2. Paul is acknowledging that if you are capable of working, and do not work, others will have to support
you.
3. Paul also warns the Church in Thessalonica against being idle. (See 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10)
• “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not
eat.” (vs10)
a. In the formation of America this principle was taught.
II. The Apostle Paul Instructs the young Christians “to do something useful…, that they may have
something to share with those in need.” (vs28b)
A. The principle to “pay it forward” has its origins in scripture. Jesus, the disciples, and the Apostle Paul
modeled this principle.
1. Jesus taught his disciples to serve others.
• “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20: 26-28)
B. Paul in his writings strongly believes in providing for your families.
• “Anyone who does not provide for his relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the
faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
1. May the caring for your families be measured, less you make them dependents for life. Do not promote
laziness but meet their needs.
C. Paul not only encourages them to be ambitious and work, but to earn enough to be able to “share with
others in need.”
1. We are called to “Pay it Forward”!
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from
God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)