The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
October 2, 2005
In
This Issue:
Growth
by
Steve Klein
One
Thing is Needful
by
Ed Brand
Growth
Years ago, an aged Albert Einstein was invited to a banquet and was seated next to a young woman. Making conversation, the young lady asked, "What is it exactly that you do, Mr. Einstein?" "What is your job?" Einstein replied, "I devote myself completely to the study of physics." To which the young woman responded in amazement: "Physics!" "At your age!" "I finished studying physics last year!"
Some people have a very limited understanding of the concept of growth. 2 Peter 3:18 commands us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." It is the duty of every Christian of every age to grow! We must never think that we've reached the peak of spiritual knowledge and ability and that there is no room for improvement.
But we must also understand that growth should have a purpose. There are things in this world that grow just for the sake of growing. They soak up blessings and use up resources, but they never produce anything useful. We have names for such things. We call them "cancer cells" and "weeds." Growing just to be growing is the philosophy of a cancer cell and the goal of a weed.
As we increase in knowledge and ability we should also increase in usefulness. What good is knowledge if we don't share it and live by it? What good is talent or ability if it is never used? In Luke 13:6-9 Jesus spoke this parable:
"A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"
The Lord requires more than growth. He requires fruit! Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus AND bearing fruit?
--Steve Klein
We are surrounded by plenty - as in much. If you dispute this observation, take an inventory of your belongings. Will one page be sufficient to catalog all of them? So you see, we are surrounded by plenty, much of it our own. Suppose you were told you must choose ten items from that number. The ten things you choose, you can keep; the remainder must be given away. What ten would you choose?
The house, obviously, then the car, food, clothing, checkbook, the dog. Oh, I forgot, of course the furniture.
You may have chosen different articles, but I suspect you chose along the same line as the above. Unless you have a cat. Have you noticed something missing in this list? I have, but of course I should, since I know where this article is heading. Where is the Bible?
It is interesting that the possession which is the most valuable, is so ignored. It is often left at home when its owner goes on vacation (Home Alone). Even surrounded by people, it is sometimes lost. "Let's see, where did I put that thing?" It often goes for long stretches with no human companionship.
On one occasion, Jesus had been received into Martha's house (Luke 10:38ff). She was busy doing the things necessary in order to entertain a guest in her home. Food must be prepared, cooked, and then served. Her sister, Mary, didn't seem to notice that poor Martha had to do all of these things. While she was busy, busy, busy, Mary was listening to Jesus. He was placed in the unenviable position of having to settle a family squabble. "Bid her therefore that she help me" said Martha.
His answer was simple, but profound: "but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part." Martha is the overworked, harried sister who has been deserted by Mary to do all this work alone. The feelings Martha experienced are common to each of us. We are doing what has to be done, while Mary is off visiting with the guest.
"One thing is needful." Instead of choosing ten things, now you have to choose only one. Mary chose "the good part." She chose food for the soul. When all of our things are gone, this is the one thing which shall last. That ought to help us put things in perspective, shouldn't it?
Opportunity for spiritual growth and satisfaction should rate better than a hurried "later." The worship of God on the day he specified ought not be an afterthought or resentful intrusion into our busy schedule (the preacher went ten minutes over and the roast might burn!)
It's easy to be like Martha, isn't it?
-- Ed Brand
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 2/7/99.