Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback Cliff Stoudt was the first player in NFL history to earn a pension without ever taking a snap during the regular season or playoffs. He was on the active roster for the first 56 games of his career without taking a single step onto the field. In his unused backup role he even received two Super Bowl rings! On public speaking tours he told audiences that he would take a shower after each game but wouldn’t bother putting his uniform in the dirty clothes. He had jewelry to show for multiple world championships but not a grass stain.
Unfortunately, that’s the preferred life situation for some Christians. They want the path to glory that requires the least amount work, disruption or inconvenience. That’s the life that preachers of the so-called “prosperity gospel” sell—one where the right kind of “faith” increases worldly success and decreases difficulty. But it is anti-scriptural. The Greek word translated as “church” literally means “called-out ones.” However, what you are called out from is not pain, difficulty or work. You are called out from a self-centered life to a Christ-centered one. You are called out by Christ to a life of obedience, not a life of leisure.
After creating man, God’s first order of business was to give Adam a job. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Mankind was made for work even before sin entered the world. Mark Twain is credited with the saying, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” and that’s not wrong! Genesis 29:20 documents Jacob’s attitude when he had to work a very long time for the opportunity to marry the woman he loved. “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.” Because of his eagerness for the prize, he didn’t complain about the work required to get it.
Conversely, God reprimanded Israel for procrastination. In fact, He punished them for taking on work that benefitted themselves while putting off duties for God and others. They built themselves houses at the expense of God’s.
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.” (Hag. 1:9–11)
What is your attitude toward doing hard things, particularly when it is primarily for others? Do you view them as a nuisance or an opportunity? How much time do you invest into planning your leisure versus planning to help others?
Have you ever been responsible for managing a person that wouldn’t do anything unless he was explicitly told what to do? Is there any way in which that describes your Christian service? Do you look for ways to help or do you have to be asked? Do you find joy in serving the Lord and His people or is it too inconvenient? Do you think about it at all?
Paul describes the Christian life as running in a race and He instructs you to run in such a way as to win the prize. You are not a backup. You’re not the second string. You need not have a spotless uniform. A willingness to get your get your jersey stained is not enough. That describes every player on the sideline. You need to ask the Lord to provide opportunities. Tell Him you want to be in the game!
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Col. 3:23–24)