Why is it that so many folks, don't have a vision for excellence in serving the Lord?

Question

I have been a business professional for many years, I was on the ground floor of Megatrends, and Service America. I notice in the business world "excellence" is key in providing a product or service. People will pay the cost to achieve the absolute best in excellence and service that they can afford.

So why is it that so many folks (especially some "Christians") look down on the idea of giving God our very best? Are we not commanded to "be perfect even as our father in heaven is perfect"? Holy or set apart? Or are we willing to give God a minimal effort in expectation of a maximum blessing?

I know there are many of you that are out there and that are willing to pick up the Cross the Lord has called you to shoulder, but what about the rest of you? Why can't we as Christians break the mold of the "80/20 Rule" as in out of 100 people 20% do the work and 80% are there just takin up space looking for a blessing, and walking away from the Lord.... (continued in addt'l)

...walking away from the Lord, in a disolutioned state when "Church" just don't meet their needs?

When are we as the body of believers gonna kick in and 100% of us give our time, tallents, and finances to the Body of Christ?

When are we gonna make it a point to try to share Christ to 1 person a day, or a week, or a month? I say these things becaue in our present state and inside of so many denominations "APPATHY IS GONNA KILL THE BODY,FASTER THAN THE DEVIL WILL!!!

I and many others have been critisized for trying to expound on a message of more activity to being more Christ like, even though I like so many fall short, should that mean I take my eye of the mark and the prise of the high calling of Jesus?

Replies welcome, non-believers chime in if you got something positive to say otherwise, please answer another question elsewhere. Thanks.

And yes I know I can't spell well, please forgive thanks B.

I guess I should state the obvious here, I believe that regardless of my condition here on the earth God see's me as perfect because He view's me thru His Son Jesus. He also goes one step futher in that instead of showing His glory and power at a specific place (the mercy seat in the temple of the Hebrews) he places it the heart of every believer. "A full measure shaken up and pressed down" you really aren't full till you are overflowing. I believe the 80/20 rule is correct. Science and Math have proven it time and time again. What I suggest at the very least is that the 80% that do nothing would start contributing something, 20% of their time, tallents, and finances to prayer, worship, service to God, giving, sharing the gospel, The marked increase in miracles and blessings in our land would become a testimate to the God so many of us serve. You give to God and he returns more...You give and serve not because you have to but because you Love God.

hope i get more answers.

Answer 1

So many of us take the path of least resistance without giving a single thought to the fact that Jesus didn't. When I consider what He did for me on the Cross, I am completely humbled in that I do so little for Him. My Christian witness is not so straight forward as is yours, but my faith is equal. For that matter, I would love to share my testimony with you, but I can't figure out how to post an email address on YA so I could correspond directly with you as some aspects of it are very personal. I have a condition called "wet macular degeneration" and do not see so very well and so much that I do is far more complicated than it used to be because of it.
I make a point of conducting my life in such a manner so as to be a witness for Christ 24 hours a day. It excites me to see your enthusiasm and thirst as it is a blessing to me. Do not despair.

Answer 2

Good points Bob.

If every person on earth understood the importance of striving for excellence, then Peters and Waterman wouldn't have been able to sell millions of copies of their book, "In Search of Excellence" (or the sequel "A Passion for Excellence"). Not everyone has had the opportunities that you (and I) have had to learn about what it takes to excel in business (or other fields). Many people, even Christians, are still bound by "traditions" and old beliefs that cause them to be uncomfortable with the idea of perfection. Being called a "perfectionist" isn't always a compliment in this world...in fact, it has been studied as a psychological disorder with many potentially negative consequences!

If everyone (including Christians) strived for excellence in all that they do, the world would be a better place to live for the most part. However, I do understand why so many people, including many Christians, aren't able to do so. How many times in your life have you been told that some wish or goal you had was "impossible"? In the movie "Rudy", he was told his entire life by his family, friends, and teachers, that it would be "impossible" for him to attend Notre Dame and play on the football team...if what he did were commonplace, they wouldn't have made a movie about his life. Unfortunately, people are all to frequently shaped by the limitations other people impose on them.

The bible, when it isn't interpreted correctly, can lead Christians to believe that perfection is an impossible goal and with all the earthly conditioning they receive it isn't surprising that so many of them believe that goals should be "realistic" (even my marketing and management textbooks stress the importance of setting realistic goals).

Personally I do see the value of striving for excellence in serving God...but that doesn't mean that I have accomplished that goal AND I accept that I may never be able to achieve that goal in this lifetime. The rewards come from the effort not from the results and if I am unable to earn every reward that's available to me through God that doesn't mean that I have failed, it just means that I am human. I accept that, through the grace of God (and through that grace alone), my life will continue after end of my life on earth and that the next life will be a place of love and peace and happiness...that's more than enough for me. Yes, I want to serve God to store up treasures that I CAN take with me when I go but I'm not going to beat myself up (or beat anyone else up) for not recognizing one (or more) of those opportunities.

Answer 3

Excellent point Brother! I guess it goes to show you the true nature of man. We will put our all into sin, and ration our very best to God! May the Good Lord have Mercy on us!

Answer 4

I think it's fair to say that if any religion had been shown to be true then we would know about it by now. There are hundreds, possibly thousands of different religions in the world, and you cannot demonstrate that yours has any more basis in reality than any of the others. Wouldn't you be showing more honesty and more integrity if you waited until you could demonstrate the truth of your beliefs before trying to encourage others to share them?

Answer 5

Brett Hart for President!!!! The Excellence of Execution!

sorry but your benevolent approach comes off creepy to me. Reminds me of the BTK killer.

Answer 6

One word: Lukewarm
I know you know but for those who don't, this word is found in Rev. 3:16.

Answer 7

That is why faith apart from works is dead St. James tells us

Answer 8

Guess what im?
Some people do and it won't be seen until LateRon!