Hmm, I'll just Quit

J. R. Bronger

 

Have you ever felt unappreciated? Whether it was on the job or in the home, you probably have experienced the feeling you were just taken for granted. Perhaps you have reached the breaking point, and are simply "No/ going lo take It any longer. " So you just give up and quit. Now, if we are discussing our job, then we know how foolish that might be. If we quit a job because we feel "un" or underappreciated, we may find ourselves without an income. Also, at home we may react equally absurd. That is, a husband may just quit mowing the lawn. Or a wife may just quit cleaning the house. Both reactions would be ridiculous because the consequences would be knee-high grass/weeds, and a kitchen resembling an "outhouse."

 

 

However, when it comes to the church many people never consider such behavior as being irresponsible and destructive. But it is! Paul, said: "And the eye cannot say to the hand, I 'have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I' have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker necessary." (I Cor. 12:21-22). God intends for every member of the body (the church) to function. He does not allow for certain members to just  quit  functioning in  the church. God never provided the underappreciated or overworked to just quit.   No   local   church ('including   Danville)   can   effectively   serve   Christ   when   certain believers just quit. How long your body function if your lungs "decided' to quit breathing? Your heart, and your kidneys need  your lungs to operate in the way God intended. There is not a summer goes by without hearing about a tragic drowning in a pool, river, or ocean. I have seen the lifeless body of drowning victims; victims who's lungs had tilled with water and when the lungs quit the rest of the body shut down and death occurred.

 

Have you concluded that you are not going to contribute to the work of this congregation? If you have the ability to lead singing, do you -or have you just quit? If you have the ability to teach a class, do you -or have you just quit? Do you have the time to help with the personal work being done - but you do not? Have you just quit working for the Lord?

 

If you have just quit, then two questions must be asked.

 

One: Why? That is, why have you quit serving in the way that God has granted you the ability? Have you suddenly lost the talents you had these many years? Or perhaps, you have not been complimented and appreciated for the jobs you have in the past. So, you just decide to quit. Maybe some have been critical of your efforts. Regardless of the "reasons" you have just quit, your quitting reveals your disdain for the work of the Lord. To any member who has just quit doing what can be done for the cause of righteousness, I ask you to reconsider. Local churches should be like a family, a family of God. Therefore, we are a family and as members of families we should have a heart willing to work, whether we are ever appreciated or complemented,

 

The second question that must be asked is: What is your inactivity doing to the church? Paul said in 1 Cor, 12:22 each member is necessary - and this includes YOU and ME. If we are not doing what: we can in the cause of Christ, then we become a drain on the church. If I have quit, then that forces others to carry what is rightfully my load. Also, it means that I am unwilling to help lighten the load of another.

 

On the other hand, have you ever how are those are always eager to do whatever is necessary? These are willing to teach every time a teacher is required though they need would love) to sit in on an   class. These Christians are resolved to go an never check to see how far they have actually gone. An adage says: "If you want something done - give it to a busy  man "

 

While this may be true it is also sad when it comes to the work needing to be done in a local church. These are the ones who have spent their lives serving instead of being served. As Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 2:19), "The Lord knows those who are His"

 

God knows the work we are doing and he knows the work we could be doing and are not. Just as he did with the seven churches of Asia. (Rev, 2 & 3) Jesus sees and knows our work, our deeds and our determination. This should serve as a "wake up call" for those who might have just quit. When I was a young preacher a brother-in-Christ decided that a "squealing pig" was a better preacher than me. And he made it known to anyone who would listen. To say I became discouraged would be an understatement. The criticism I received was almost enough to compel me to rethink what I was doing with my life, I thought about quitting. I didn't quit, however. Perhaps the brother was right, but instead of just quitting I decided to try harder. If you have quit or are thinking about it - don't! There is room in God's kingdom for what you have and for what you bring. -

www.danvillechurchofchrist.org