You Are the Church (2)

 

   

'...Their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work' Nehemiah 3:5 NIV

The story's told of a football team that was losing badly. Pointing to the captain, their coach on the sidelines kept shouting, 'Give the ball to Calhoun! Give the ball to Calhoun!' Fed up and frustrated, the captain finally shouted back, 'Coach, Calhoun doesn't want the ball!' Yesterday we talked about those who would rather be a spectator than a player. Today let's talk about those who are on the team but don't want to put their heart into it. While rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah wrote, 'The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work.' These guys suffered from two common diseases known as 'convenient commitment' and 'limited involvement'. For every person who fulfils their dream, you will find a hundred others who only talk about it. You say, 'Let somebody else do the giving for a change.' If somebody else sows, somebody else will reap the harvest you were meant to reap. Is that ok with you? The Bible says, 'God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.' (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT) When God's blessing stops flowing through you, it stops flowing to you. Think long term. Treasure in Heaven is laid up, only as treasure on earth is laid down. Paul speaks of '...the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.' (Galatians 2:20 NLT) Every time God asks you for time, money or talent, remember what Christ gave up for you. You are loved!