Majoring on the Minors

“Don’t spend major time doing minor things.” – Jim Rohn

I remember warming up for a softball game at Hardee Correctional Institution in Bowling Green, Florida many years ago and being approached by an inmate who wanted to talk about important spiritual matters… or so I thought. He started out asking some general Bible questions but soon the conversation degenerated into a theological discussion about some extremely obscure topics of very little consequence. Realizing that he was wasting both of our times, I ended our chat as politely as I could and resumed preparing for our game.

On subsequent visits to Hardee, I warned my teammates about this man and cautioned them not to engage in aimless discussions with him when their time could be much better spent answering honest questions from inmates who were truly seeking Jesus.

Sadly, my experience with this man is indicative of some of the mindless arguments that supposedly mature Christians have engaged in over the centuries. The infamous question of “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” is an altogether too familiar example of some of the rabbit holes Christians are willing to go down. Meanwhile, people are dying without Jesus all around them.

Charles Spurgeon addressed this subject expertly 150 years ago and his advice is as sage – and applicable – today as it was then.

“Our days are few and are far better spent in doing good than in disputing over matters that are, at best, of minor importance. The old scholars did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our churches suffer too often from petty wars over obscure points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion promotes neither knowledge nor love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field.”

“Questions about issues on which Scripture is silent, on mysteries that belong to God alone, on prophecies of doubtful interpretation, and on mere modes of observing human ceremonials are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle’s precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we will find ourselves occupied with so much profitable business that we will have no time to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.”

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” Titus 3:8 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President