Slackers Miss Out

“My bank account is bursting at the seams. The estate was settled and my portion of the inheritance far exceeded my expectations. Thousands and thousands. I’ve never had it so good. But really, it takes too much effort to find a new house and buy a new car. There’s so much red tape. I think I’ll just put up with our little shack and rusted out tin lizzy with bald tires. I hate the bank thing. All the paper work. And then there’s the pain of finding the cheque book in the drawer and the hassle of tracking down a pen (I’m always losing pens!). I never did like writing and I find it hard to write with my crooked index finger. I am happy just the way I am. To access the money in my account and to do something with it, well – it’s just too much bother. It’s not worth it!”

Justin’s reasoning may raise a few eyebrows.

The children of Israel after years of wandering in a wilderness, finally made it over to Canaan – the Promised Land they had been dreaming about for decades. They made it over and then they settled down on the other side of the river. Seven of the twelve tribes all huddled together in a fraction of the territory that was available to them. Had they forgotten that the Lord said: “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you?” (Joshua 1:3) Why aren’t they moving out and claiming the new land? Why are they all stuck there – why don’t they start enjoying the Promised Land in all its fullness and vastness of hills and valleys, streams and fields. Are they still afraid of the giants? Is it too much work to relocate and settle in new territory? Have they become complacent and lethargic in their comfort zones? Stuck in a rut is another possibility.

Commander Joshua says to them in Joshua 18:3:


Slack Christians never get to enjoy even a fraction of all that is their’s in Christ Jesus. The Epistle to the Ephesians talks about our spiritual inheritance and how we have been blessed with all and every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. But it requires focus and fervor, dedication and discipline, as well as work and toil to claim all that belongs to us. How much effort am I putting into my Christian life? Occasionally people say their life is boring. Some might say they are depressed with their christian life and others sadly wonder if its all as good as it’s cracked up to be. But honestly, how much effort am I putting into Christian living? Maybe I am feeling the way I’m feeling because I’ve been a slacker. If I put the same amount of effort into my job, would the employer give me a promotion? If I studied my school books as often as I studied my Bible, would I pass my exams?

There is unlimited power available to us through Christ Jesus. It’s been sitting in our bank account since the day of our salvation. We just have to go to our account more often and make withdrawals frequently. The cool thing about it is – we can make as many withdrawals as we want and we can make as many bank transactions as we need and the supply is never diminished. Is it too much hassle to find our bank card and go to the ATM for a withdrawal? Too much hassle to find a pen to write another cheque? Don’t be a spiritual slacker. Get serious about living for Christ each day. Be a diligent Christian and you will experience and enjoy the riches that are your’s in Christ Jesus.