Articles
‘We’re Not Doing Enough’
When a fellow Christian offered his assessment that, ‘We’re not doing enough,’ I was upset and offended. My immediate reaction was negative and defensive. After all, I thought, this man is uninformed of many things that are being done by others, and unaware of a host of activities that have been done in the past. My mind raced to compile a catalog of ‘good deeds’ that would dispel his claim. I was sure that I could prove that his appraisal was completely off base. As my first blush of anger subsided, and I could ‘see clearly’ again, I began to realize some important points relative to this man’s charge . . . First, it is true that this brother is oblivious to many things that have been done and are currently being done by others. But we never have to fear that God in Heaven is ignorant of these important deeds. We know that "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). Furthermore, we know that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)." So, while other men often do not know all that is being done, we can be sure that God does, and that’s really all that matters. Secondly, the charge that ‘we’re not doing enough’ is, in fact, true! No one, ever, can honestly say, ‘I’ve done all that I can, I’ve exceeded what is expected, I’ve accomplished it all.’ No matter what we’ve done, there’s always more that can and should be done. Remember the words of Jesus: "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10). So, while the brother who made the accusation needs to be more careful with his approach, we can still benefit from a re-evaluation of our work in the God’s Kingdom. We can work harder, longer, and smarter – and we should. Think!
