"Is 'Enough' Enough?"

“Is ‘Enough’ Enough?”

One of the most interesting Major League players during the 1950’s was an eccentric young pitcher who deviated from the norm in a number of ways. His contract one year called for a bonus if he won fourteen games, a feat he accomplished by the end of August. He then went to his team’s general manager, asked for his money and said he didn’t want to pitch for the rest of the season. When told there was a month to go and he could be a twenty game winner he responded, “If I win twenty, you’ll want me to win twenty all my life.” Unfortunately he failed to achieve his potential because, as a teammate said, “He never was a big pitcher because it wasn’t important to him.”

This big leaguer’s attitude towards his performance is much like how many people view their walk with Christ. We may come to a place where we feel we’ve grown and/or served enough and want the rest of our life off because, as with the hurler above, it’s not important to us to continue pressing onward. But what does God’s Word say? Our Lord’s friend writes, “…Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18, emphasis added). And the Apostle Paul calls on his readers (including us) to ‘…serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13, emphasis added). In the original Greek both verbs are in the present tense and can be accurately rendered, “Keep on growing” and “Keep on serving”. For how long? Listen to Paul again: “…The one who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, Phillips, emphasis added). (Of course, any of us can reach a point that we can no longer do what we once did due to age, health, finances or other factors. But we can pray for those who continue God’s work.)

Jesus taught, “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with (him or her) two miles.” (Matthew 5:41). So we’re expected to go beyond the minimum requirement. (Where would we be if God said, “I’ve done enough! You’re on your own now!”?) God’s given us much materially and spiritually and He holds us accountable to be good stewards of His resources (“…From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”—Luke 12:48).

Have I done enough? Have you?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan