A scripture reading to which I invite you to turn with me at this time is found in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, the 11th chapter. Again, in the Old Testament, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Proverbs, chapter 11. I encourage each of us, especially the boys and girls, the young people in our midst, if you are ever wrestling with what to read, In your own personal devotional life, read the book of Proverbs. If you read a chapter a day, you'll get through the entire book in a month. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. And here we find wisdom for living, which radically contradicts the so-called wisdom. In reality, the foolishness of this world, which puts us along the path to temporal and eternal destruction. Penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by King Solomon, the son of David, We begin reading in Proverbs 11, verse 1. We read to the end of the chapter. But please note, brothers and sisters, that we will be focusing in especially on verses 24 and 25. Verses 24 and 25 constitute our text for this evening. Proverbs 11, beginning in verse 1, hear then the word of the Lord. The Lord abhors dishonest scales. but accurate weights are his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in a day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, The wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes. All he expected from his power comes to nothing. The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. With his mouth, the godless destroys his neighbor. but through knowledge the righteous escape. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright, a city is exalted. But by the mouth of the wicked, it is destroyed. A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence. but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure. He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. A kind-hearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. The Lord detests men of perverse heart, but He delights in those whose ways are blameless. Be sure of this, the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner. Thus far the reading of God's holy word. And as always, brothers and sisters, I ask and urge you to keep your Bibles open and handy as we look to God's Word together at the close of this Lord's Day. Dear congregation of Jesus Christ, question. Have you had the opportunity to travel or to enjoy a time of vacation this summer? Well, from what I have gathered in my many conversations over these past few months with any number of the members and friends of our own congregation, I would strongly suspect that most of us probably have. Most of us probably have. For example, perhaps you were able to take some time to simply travel and spend some time with some family members or friends. Maybe you were able to spend a day or a week or even more down at the shore. Or perhaps you traveled up into the mountains or spent some time by a lake and so on. And brothers and sisters, let us not misunderstand. Just as is true for our regular weekly Sabbath rest, So too, such times of rest and refreshment and renewal and revival are critically important for our own emotional and physical and mental and spiritual well-being. Critically important for our overall well-being. In fact, turn to the Gospel according to Mark, the sixth chapter with me, if you would please, as we see an example of this from the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Turn with me just for a moment to Mark 6, and drop down to verses 30 and 31. The context is such that Jesus has called to Him His twelve disciples. He has sent them out two by two. There is an intervening account of the death of John the Baptist. And we're going to pick up our reading now in Mark 6, verse 30. Look with me, please. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. That because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, come with Me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest. Notice that. Jesus said, come with Me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest. Jesus was all for regular times of rest and renewal and revival and refreshment for both Himself and His followers. But friends, let us notice this. Jesus never saw such rest and renewal and refreshment and periods of revival as an end in themselves. Jesus never saw such periods of rest and refreshment to be ordained or sanctioned to accomplish self-serving purposes. Jesus sanctified and sanctioned such periods of rest and renewal and revival so that He Himself and His followers would be better equipped and enabled to engage in greater areas and avenues of service for the cause of His heavenly Father's Kingdom. In fact, that is why, Mark chapter 6 continues. We read, for example, in verses 32 and following, So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things. And then if you'll skim over the next several verses, you'll see that Jesus goes on to exhort His disciples in verse 37 saying, you give them something to eat. You give them something to eat. Setting the stage, of course, for His own miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Now, as we bring this biblical information to bear back on the words of our text for this evening in Proverbs 11, and I invite you to turn back there with me, please. We find that in stark and direct contrast to the prevailing practice of the world. And in stark and direct contrast to the common wisdom of this world, in verses 24 and 25, the sacred Scriptures give to us three key, very personal, practical, and surprising mile markers which delineate for the Christian The road to refreshment. Three very personal, practical, and surprising mile markers which delineate for the Christian. the road to refreshment. Now, as we work our way through our text together, let us notice, first of all, mile marker number one toward the road to refreshment for the Christian is that we must be generous in giving. We must be generous in giving. For example, look at verse 24 of our text with me, if you would please. Here we read, One man gives freely. The New American Standard Version says, there is One who scattereth. There is One who scattereth. No doubt a reference to the same biblical teaching as Jesus sets forth in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, speaking of the sowing of the seed of the Word. And brothers and sisters, is it not true that you and I are all called to be sowers of seed? Scatterers of the seed of the Word. Through the words we speak. Through the lives we live. through the ministries in which we are engaged. And indeed, as Pastor van Dyck preached so powerfully this morning, in all of our labor, no matter what kind of a calling we have, no matter what kind of a job, whether we are called to labor primarily inside of the home or outside of the home, in the business community, on construction projects, driving a truck, working in a bank, teaching a class, it does not matter. We labor unto the Lord. And all of our labor in the Lord thereby has eternal significance. We're all to be scatterers of seed. But not only the seed of the Word, We are to be scatterers of encouraging words. We are to be scatterers of kindly deeds. We are to be scatterers of helping hands. We are to be scatterers of listening ears. We are to be scatterers of the love of Christ in word and in deed. All of this is contained in these few words. One man gives freely. One man scattereth, if you will. One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Now, that seems contradictory, does it not? The more we give, the text seems to be teaching us, the more we gain. Look at it again. One man gives freely, yet gains even more. How could this possibly be? It's because things in the kingdom and economy of God are not the way they are out in this world. In fact, turn with me if you would please just for a moment in the New Testament to 2 Corinthians 9, after the four Gospel accounts, Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 9, and drop down to verse 6 with me if you would please. 2 Corinthians 9, beginning in verse 6, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares, remember this, whoever sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. Now, He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. And through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Commenting on this particular text, the great biblical commentator Matthew Henry declares, and I quote, God blesses the giving hand, and so makes it a getting hand. I'm going to read that again. God blesses the giving hand, and so makes it a getting hand. And writes another, and again I quote, In God's economy, generosity often determines prosperity. One must give in order to gain. End of quote. And friends, I suppose that is why in Ecclesiastes 11 v. 1, King Solomon declares, cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. And I suppose that is why in Proverbs 19 v. 17, King Solomon again declares, he who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done. And I suppose that is why in Luke 6, if you're still in the New Testament, turn there with me please. In Luke 6, verses 37 and 38, our Lord Jesus declares, Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Now notice this. Give, and it will be given to you. a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Think about that. Think about that. You know, friends, needless to say, it is a medical, physiological fact that the human body needs to exhale as well as inhale in order to stay healthy and alive. We need to inhale. We need to exhale physically. Did you ever think about the fact that that is also true spiritually? It's also true spiritually. You see, in order to be healthy spiritually, We need not simply to inhale all of the physical and financial and material and spiritual blessings of God, but we also need to exhale them for the blessing and benefit of others, for our own health and well-being, and also and especially for the glory of God. For the glory of God. You see, that is why, once again, in the words of our text, King Solomon declares, one man gives freely, yet gains even more. Why is that? Why is that? Well, the reason is because being generous in giving, being generous in giving is the first key mile marker along the Christian's road to refreshment. The Christian's road to refreshment. Look a little further at that text in verse 24, because here we find a second key mile marker along the Christian's road to refreshment. And that is that we must also be prompt in payment. We must be prompt in payment. Look again at verse 24 with me, if you would please. One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unduly. The New American Standard Version says, He withholds that which is justly due. He withholds what is justly due, but comes to poverty. But comes to poverty. Now again, that seems incongruous. It seems self-contradictory. How could a person who is withholding, holding back for themselves, ultimately come to poverty? Why is that so? Well, friends, the reason is as follows. When you and I withhold unduly, when you and I hold back what is justly due, let's say, in supporting another, in giving to another, something we owe another, wages that are due a worker, for example, or a debt which we are completely able but unwilling to pay, we withhold unduly. We forfeit the favor of God. We forfeit the favor of God. It's true. That's what this text is teaching us. In fact, turn back just a few pages to Proverbs 3 with me, please. Proverbs 3. And drop down to verses 27 and 28. Proverbs 3, 27 and 28. Here God's Word declares. Proverbs 3.27, Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, come back later, I'll give it tomorrow, when you now have it with you. You see. Proverbs 28. Same book of the Bible. Just turn over to the 28th chapter with me. Proverbs 28. Drop down to verse 27 please. Proverbs 28, verse 27, the Word of God declares, He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. And finally on this score, turn with me in the New Testament to the book of James, the fifth chapter. Hebrews 5. The brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Leader of the church at Jerusalem. James 5, beginning in verse 1. Notice what God's Word declares. Now listen, you rich people. Weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look, the wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men who were not opposing you. Brothers and sisters, think about that. Think about what God's Word here declares. And let us consider these kinds of questions. Do you or I owe a debt which we are completely able but entirely unwilling to pay? Do we owe a debt that we are completely able but entirely unwilling to pay. Have we promised someone something, completely able to fulfill the promise, and yet have remained unwilling to do so? Do we owe one of our workers their just and fair wages? Have we promised them one thing and delivered another? Are we wisely, prudently, purposefully saving as did Joseph when he sought under the direction of God to spare the land of Egypt from the coming seven years of famine? Or are we simply and sinfully hoarding? Just hoarding. Hoarding all of the physical and financial and material and spiritual blessings the Lord has given to us. Are we simply like the rich fool in the parable of Jesus in Luke chapter 12, building bigger barns for ourselves? Now realizing that the sovereign God of the universe may also well say also to us, you fool, this very night your soul will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? You see. I was reading the other day about a time when the great English preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was passing through a cemetery. He read the following inscription on the gravestone of a man buried there. It said, what I spent, I had. What I saved, I lost. What I gave, I have. I'm going to read that again. What I spent, I had. What I saved, I lost. What I gave, I have. The great Reformer Martin Luther put it this way, and again I quote, "...cursed and condemned is every kind of life lived and sought for selfish profit and good. Cursed are all works not done in love. But they are done in love when they are directed wholeheartedly not toward selfish pleasure, profit, honor, ease, and welfare, but toward the profit, honor, and welfare of others." End of quote. One man gives freely, and gains even more. Another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Being generous in our giving, and prompt in payment, are the first two key mile markers which delineate the Christian's road to refreshment. Our road to refreshment. Well, friends, there's a third and final key mile marker along the Christian's road to refreshment our text teaches us, and that is that we must also be selfless in service. We must also be selfless in service. For example, look at verse 25 with me, if you would please. Verse 25. It says here, a generous man. The Hebrew says, a nefesh barakah. Nefesh is soul. Barakah means blessing. A nefesh barakah is a soul of blessing. A soul of blessing. I think the King James says something like, a liberal soul. A generous man. The soul of blessing. The liberal soul will prosper. I think the King James says, will be made fat. A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others..." Literally, the Hebrew says, "...he that watereth others..." You are watering others through kindly deeds and encouraging words and selfless service and a visit to the shut-in and a card to the sick and a prayer for the sorrowing and a listening ear to the disturbed and the distressed, etc. etc. etc. "...he who refreshes others will himself Be refreshed. He who refreshes others, he who watereth others, will himself be refreshed. Will himself be watered, if you will. Now, friends, again, how could this possibly be? It shows us that this is the way things operate in the kingdom and economy of God. Turn back just a few pages to the book of Psalms, for example. Psalm 41. Psalm 41, verse 1. Psalm 41, verse 1. Here, this text of David declares, blessed is he who has regard for the weak. The Lord delivers him in times of trouble. Turn back to the book of Proverbs, please, with me if you would. Proverbs 3. Proverbs 3, verses 9 and 10. Proverbs 3, verses 9 and 10. Honor the Lord with your wealth. with the first fruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine. And finally on this score, turn with me please to the book of Galatians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians in the New Testament. Galatians 6, verses 9 and 10. The Apostle Paul declares, let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. You see, writes Matthew Henry, a generous man who prays for the afflicted and provides for them, who scatters blessings with gracious lips and generous hands, he will prosper with true pleasure and be enriched with more grace. And so, insightfully, said another, please listen carefully, and I quote, How often, when my heart has been cold and dead, have I been quickened by the loving kindness of the Lord upon doing something kind and loving for a fellow creature, and more especially, for a fellow Christian? End of quote. End of quote. Brothers and sisters, it's true. It is so true. And such a testimony from that individual ought not to surprise us. It ought not to surprise us in the least. Why not? Because the Word of God is declared, a generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. All glory be to God. All glory be to God. You know, studying this text and this theme this week, I discovered something very interesting. In Ephesians 2, verses 1-5, the Apostle Paul writes this about the state of humankind. He writes this, "...for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the Spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." By nature, we're not simply sick spiritually. We are D-E-A-D dead. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. And the situation seems hopeless. We are as dead spiritually as Lazarus was dead physically in the grave. V. 4 of Ephesians 2, because of His great love for us. God, who is rich in mercy, not miserly in mercy. He is rich in mercy. Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. Glory be to God. In James 1, verse 5, the Apostle James declares, if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously. Not miserly. He gives generously to all without finding fault. And it will be given to Him. Finally, on this score, in Psalm 36, verses 5-9, we read the following. Psalm 36, beginning in verse 5, the psalmist declares, Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains. Your justice like the great deep. O Lord, You preserve both man and beast. How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house. You give them drink from Your river of delights. For with You is the fountain of life. In Your light, we see light." The point, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, is this. In the words of the biblical commentator Charles Bridges, and I quote, God has put a mark of distinguishing favor upon the exercises of that mercy, which is His own attribute. He scatters His blessing richly around. And those who partake of His Spirit do the same. And those who partake of His Spirit do the same. End of quote. Do you call yourself a Christian, my friend? A disciple? A follower of Jesus Christ? By the sovereign saving grace and electing love of God, have you sincerely repented of your sins? And professed faith in the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior? Have you vowed from the innermost recesses of your being to die to self? and to live for Him. To be living for Jesus. If so, if so, my dear brother, my dear sister in the Lord, then let us also and always remember that that very same suffering Savior also said this, if anyone would come after me He must deny Himself and take up His cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for Me and for the Gospel will save it. You see. And so, my dear, dear friends in the Lord, As you and I go forth into this new week, and as we live our lives each day, may God grant us the grace to be generous in giving, prompt in payment, and selfless in service. Because then you see, we will surely be found walking the road to refreshment. Amen. Let's bow our heads and our hearts in prayer together. Then I heard a voice from Heaven say, write, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. Oh, our great and gracious God, until that great day when we too enter into our eternal rest and receive our gracious reward, may we be found faithful in laying down our lives in service to others and thereby, ultimately, unto Thee. Even as we claim this precious promise of Thy holy word, that then we too will be refreshed by thee. Hear us, Lord, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.