On Sunday we looked at the famous call of Christ to invest our lives in the fields of human souls into which we are sent. In these fields we sow and, sometimes, reap. That much is simple. But where to get started? It can be overwhelming, and sometimes guilt-inducing, to see endless fields stretching to the horizon and look down to realize you have only two hands, one bag of seed, and a single sickle.

I would like to share, by way of encouragement, some wisdom from an American preacher, farmer, statesman, and theologian who lived in the 1700s. His name was Timothy Dwight, the son of a merchant-farmer and veteran of the Revolutionary War. Perhaps more significantly, he was also the son of Mary Edwards, daughter of perhaps America’s greatest theologian ever – Jonathan Edwards. It is plain to see the influence Mary had on Timothy’s heart and mind, and a great testimony to the power of godly women in shaping each generation.

The excerpt I would like to share today is one I also shared with our high school students at our Winter Fellowship. It is from a sermon called, in classic Puritan style, Regeneration. – Its Attendants. – Consistency of Benevolence with Providing Peculiarly for Our Own. In this sermon, Timothy Dwight sought to demonstrate God’s wisdom in using the family as the basic unit of all human society – a foundation for all Gospel work and acts of human kindness. As with much of the writing at the time, it is hardy fare for slow chewing and not a quick-take meant for Twitter. The effort required to appreciate the point is richly rewarded, however. He argues his point in this way:

"…it is manifest that the arrangement of mankind into families is the foundation of more possible, and more actual good, than could be accomplished by any other means: of more, if man were perfectly disinterested, and yet possessed of his present, limited capacity; of incalculably more, as man really is; a selfish, fallen creature. At the same time, infinitely more evil is prevented. The Gospel, therefore, has directed the efforts of human benevolence in the best manner; and so, that they may be truly said to be employed with the highest advantage.

At the same time, the wisdom of God is strongly manifested in furnishing every Individual of the human race with so desirable a field for the exercise of his benevolence. In each case, this field is at his door; always within his reach; easily comprehended; necessarily delightful; ever inviting, and ever rewarding his labours. At the same time, it is sufficiently wide to employ, and exhaust, all his contrivance, and all his active powers. No where else could he do so much good: and the utmost, which he can do, can be done here. This field is also provided for every man. Objects of beneficence are furnished to him, of course; and for all those objects an efficient benefactor is supplied. Thus, in the simplest of all modes, is provision effectually made for the beneficence of all, and the comfort of all.

At the same time, this happy arrangement becomes, of course, the foundation of the happiest distribution of mankind into larger societies; and the means of uniting to them, in the strongest and most enduring manner, the attachment of the individuals. He, therefore, whose superior powers, and opportunities, enable him to extend the offices of good-will beyond this little field, has one which is wider, always spread around him; where the superior powers may always be advantageously employed. This more extended scene of usefulness is a mere appendage to the other. Were there no families, there would be no country: were the no little spheres of beneficence; there would be no great one: and were good-will not exercised first towards those who are near; it would never be extended to those who are distant. The kindness, learned by the fireside, and practiced towards the domestic circle, is easily spread by him who is invested with sufficient talents, through a country, or extended over a world."

At this time when many have seen their circle of interaction shrink within the walls of their home, this is an encouraging thought that in each home is a field capable and worthy of our full efforts in both sowing and reaping. If this field is in good order, or if we are in a station of life where we occupy the home alone, then our labors can spread in expanding circles to extend over a country, or even a world. Remember though, no matter how far our work in God’s fields takes us, it will always be but an extension of that work which first we learned to do right where God has placed us now, in the smallest circle of human devotion and ministry. With the conviction that one field well-tended is of more use to the King than a hundred merely trampled through, let us labor well at home. Then, by His grace, we shall see the workers increase and our own fields expand until we cast the benevolence of the Gospel over all this longing world.

He who began a good harvest will indeed complete it.