Little Is Much When God Is In It

Neal Pollard

The caption above is also the title of a song our family listened to on a vinyl record when I was a boy.  While I enjoyed the melody of that spiritual song, I suppose I may have not dwelled much on the message.  There are some parables in Matthew 13 that may have been the inspiration for the lyrics.

THERE IS THE LITTLE SEED (31-32).  The mustard seed produces a gigantic herb that is virtually tree-like.  That's the power of Christ's kingdom.

THERE IS THE LITTLE LEAVEN (33).  Just a little yeast and yet it thoroughly permeates.  That's like the kingdom of heaven.

THERE IS THE LITTLE PARCEL (44).  Compared to all that he had, one little field wherein the prospector's treasure was hidden was little.  That's how great the value of the kingdom is.

THERE IS THE LITTLE PEARL (45-46).  Hold even a huge pearl in your hand, and it fits there.  It's small.  Yet, the merchant Jesus mentions sells all he has to buy it.  That's the huge value of the kingdom.

God can do great things through the church, though we do not have the greatest numbers, voice, or power.  God owns His kingdom and it transcends all earth might throw against it.  Do not discount how big the little part you play can be! 

Leaders Who Hide Sin

There are few things as sickening as a person who molests and sexually abuses others, especially children.  Names that likely come to mind of those who have done such things are Jerry Sandusky (45 victims) and Jimmy Savile (589 alleged victims).  More recently there have been additional allegations against the Catholic Church and even more priests who have been found guilty of sexual abuse.  While these types of people are exceedingly disturbing all by themselves, something that makes these situations beyond detestable are the people in leadership positions who knew about them and still let these vile acts continue.

With Sandusky, it was the leadership of Penn State who turned a blind eye.  With Savile, there is no telling how many people looked the other way to allow nearly 600 people to be sexually abused.  Most recently, the leaders of the Catholic Church in California were found to have “maneuvered behind the scenes to shield molester priests, provide damage control for the church and keep parishioners in the dark, according to church personnel files” (NBCnews.com).

Just like everything else in the world, there are good and bad leaders.  In general, leaders are supposed to stand above the rest as good examples.  They are supposed to be people who are trustworthy, hard working, and inspire others to success.  It is so discouraging to hear of leaders who are willing to hide others’ sins.

More than ever before, we need leaders in the church and in the world who are moral and spiritual.  We need leaders who meet the expectations given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1-2 of church leaders.  We need leaders who hate evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).  We need leaders who are good examples of faith, purity, speech, integrity, self-control, responsibility, and love.  We need leaders who will stand for the truth and expose evil.

So, what can we do about all of this?  Here are a few suggestions.  (1) Don’t follow leaders who hide others’ sins or their own.  Leaders become obsolete without followers.  (2) Support and encourage leaders who stand up for what is right and meet the qualities listed above.  We don’t edify good leaders nearly enough.  (3) Stand up for what is right; be a leader through your own good example. (4) Most importantly of all, let’s pray that God provides us with godly leaders, and pray especially for the ones who already are!

SOME GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GOD

Neal Pollard

• He Is Omniscient, Yet Optimistic (Jer. 26:3).
• He Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves And Still Is Not Willing That Any Should Perish (2 Pet. 3:9).
• He Sees Our Stingy Tendencies, But He Still Gives Freely (Rom. 8:32; Eph. 1:6).
• He Knows We Can Be Faithless, But He Is Still Faithful (2 Cor. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:13).
• We Keep Track Of Others’ Wrongs, But God Can Forget (Heb. 10:17).
• We Procrastinate And Delay, But God’s Patience Still Waits (So Far) (1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:15).
• In A World With Too Much Impersonal Care, He Personally Cares (1 Pet. 5:7).
• When We Feel Ignored By Others, He Sees Even Minute Details (Matt. 10:29-31).
• In A World Of Fickle, Fading Love, His Lovingkindnesses Never Cease (Lam. 3:22).
• People Forget The Help, Favors, And Gifts We Give Them, But God Is Not Unjust To Forget Your Work And The Love You Have Shown In His Name (Heb. 6:10).
• Though Others May Abandon You, He’s Coming Back To Claim His Own (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16-18).

Cheating is Cheating

Lance Armstrong is one of the most polarizing figures in sports.  He made cycling more popular and interesting than it had ever been before.  He won the Tour de France a record setting seven consecutive times.  He battled and overcame stage-three cancer that had spread to his abdomen, lungs, and brain.  He also founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, LiveStrong, which has raised almost half a billion dollars to support people with cancer and also provides great information on health and exercise.  Lance became a worldwide figure of inspiration, determination, success, and an all-around “good guy,” until now.  In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lance admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs in all of his Tour de France victories and almost his entire professional career.

One of the most disturbing parts of the interview with Oprah was when Lance admitted that, while doping, he didn’t feel wrong, or bad, and didn’t even consider it cheating.  In an attempt to convince himself, he said, “I went and looked up the definition of cheat.  And the definition is to gain an advantage on a rival or foe.  I didn't view it that way.  I viewed it as a level playing field” (Fox News).  The reason he viewed it this way is because using performance-enhancing drugs is an astonishingly common part of professional cycling.  Wikipedia has an entire page dedicated to cycling doping cases with hundreds of instances dating all the back to 1886 (Wikipedia).

For this reason, many have defended Lance’s actions.  They claim his actions were acceptable since so many cyclists are doing the same thing and gaining the same advantage.  They make the argument that no cyclists could win in today’s competitions without using the same drugs as everyone else.  In other words, it isn’t really cheating if everyone is doing it.  Are they right?  Does Lance’s definition of “cheat” validate his actions?

Let’s look at the definitions of the word “cheat” and compare them to Lance Armstrong’s situation (Merriam-Webster):

• “To deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud.”  Lance took seven valuable Tour de France titles, not to mention other victories, and millions of dollars in prize money through deceit and fraud.
• “To influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice.”  Lance lead, deceived, and tricked people into believing he was drug-free when he wasn’t.
• “To practice fraud or trickery.”  Not only did he use the drugs, but he also lied and misled people about it for years afterwards.
• “To violate rules dishonestly.”  Using the performance-enhancing drugs Armstrong did is against cycling rules and regulations.

It is clear Lance Armstrong cheated.  The fact that many other cyclists were doing the same thing does not justify his actions or make it anything other than cheating.  It just means many others were cheating as well.  Armstrong stated in the interview with Oprah that his intentions were “to win at all costs.”  This is not the attitude of a person who is just trying to level the playing field.  Thankfully, Lance has now admitted his actions were wrong, but the damage is already done.

Lance cheated, but is cheating wrong?  What does Scripture say about all of this?

• God wants us to be “[people] of truth, and those who hate dishonest gain” (Exodus 18:21; 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7).  Cheating is certainly a means of dishonest and sordid gain.
• God condemns people who lie, trick, and deceive (Proverbs 6:16-19; Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 12:22; 2 Timothy 3:13).  Cheating practices all of these.
• God rebukes those who steal (Ephesians 4:28; Matthew 19:18).  Stealing is not limited to physical objects; we can also steal advantages, answers, and ideas.  This is simply another way to cheat others.

Cheating is cheating.  Wrong is wrong.  It doesn’t matter if it is on a test, a term paper, a report, a High School football game, or even the Tour de France; cheating is wrong.  Our culture models a “win at all costs” attitude, but God calls for us to be fair and honest.  The next time an opportunity comes around where we could cheat, let’s choose to do what is true, honest, fair, and right instead.

There Is A Way For Me

Neal Pollard

Born to a world of sin and woe,

With vile behavior raging,

How many know not how to go?

In iniquity in ignorance engaging.

Why did my path cross Jesus' way

When others may never know it?

Through grace He changed my night to day

I didn't deserve for Him to bestow it.

I am convinced of His love for me,

That led me to the Sonlight.

I'm precious to Him, I plainly see

He delivered me from sin's dark night.

Lord, help me see those many souls

That grope for eternal direction

To lead them toward that upward goal

And experience the joy of election!