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 “It
isn’t fair!” the indignant lady protested; and as I paused
to hear her story I had to agree. For several years now, the
same women had faithfully prepared lessons and taught the
children’s classes. Others, equally capable of the job, had
accepted no responsibilities, made no effort to assist in this
demanding effort; and when their aid was solicited they had
dozens of “ready-made” excuses.
Somehow,
it didn’t register that the teachers also had
headaches, were “nervous”, had household problems, week-end
guests, working husbands and demanding children. “It isn’t
fair!!” that some take all of the time-consuming, often
exasperating, thankless work, while others go “scot-free.”
We could reasonably expect an equitable sharing of the load.
For
that matter, “it isn’t fair” that the same few do all or
most of the “visiting.” “It isn’t fair” that the same
ones are continually called upon to furnish “rides” for the
aged and infirm. “It isn’t fair” that the same ones feed
the visiting preacher, clean the church building, furnish the
bulk of the contribution, put out the bulletin, care for the
sick. But thirty-four years of preaching and working with
congregations has taught me that a “few” usually do these
jobs.
Christianity
isn’t a “fair” religion!! Does that shock you? Well,
give it some thought before rejecting it.
Was
it “fair” that the most godly, pure, compassionate,
self-less man to walk the face of the earth was crucified upon
Calvary? What was “fair” in the beheading of John, or
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the stoning of Stephen? If like circum-
stances prevailed today, would you speak up loud and strong,
even though it meant that you, from among the many
saints, had to suffer death? Or would you argue that “it isn’t
fair” that one should die (especially this one) while
others are unmolested?
Is
it “fair” that Christians regularly meet for worship, while
others have that day for fishing, hunting, or just “resting”?
Christians have to support the work of the Lord, while others to
spend that money on new golf clubs. Is that the way you feel
about it? If so, I predict that you will soon buy a new set of
clubs — at the Lord’s expense.
For
Christianity IS UNFAIR by all worldly standards of “fairness”.
One of its first rules is, “If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
(Matt. 16:24) “Ye are not your own... you are bought with a
price.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
The
teacher who continually gives, and gives, and gives
does so because he, or she, has first given self to the Lord. If
that teacher, or worker in any portion of the Lord’s vineyard
begins to operate on a “fair” basis — doing only what “everyone
else” does — usefulness to the Lord will cease.
“If
they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out,
they might have had opportunity to have returned.” (Heb.
11:13-16) Read all verses, study awhile, and then tell us if you
think it is “fair”!!
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