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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
game centered on the concept of competition. However, there are certain arenas wherein competition should not be
a concern, one of which being, of course, the work of the church.
The Bible explains that all are “one in Christ Jesus,” where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave
nor free, there is neither male nor female” (Gal 3:28). Again in 1 Corinthians 12 we read how that the church, the
one body of Christ (Col 1:18), is made up of many members, and though the members have different roles and
functions, all members are necessary, and all members work together to further the cause of Christ. Despite these
teachings of our Holy God, many brethren view Christianity as if it were some sort of competition. Sometimes in Bible
classes one thinks he has to be smarter than the others, hence will be argumentative, and even try to defend silly
thoughts. Others won’t participate for fear of having the “wrong answer,” or “sounding dumb.” We learn by asking
questions, and we are taught to think by sometimes having the wrong answer. Among Christians there should only
be an eagerness to help one another learn and become stronger.
The biggest problem of competition comes in the realm of preachers, however. One would think this area would
be one where Christians would behave most Christian like, but it is the area where Christians sometimes act most
childish. Preachers sometimes seek “big names,” and notoriety. Others want to be known as “smart” and
“accomplished.” Many are even jealous of other’s abilities with the pen and in the pulpit. Did not Paul write,
concerning preachers, that we are “laborers together”? Did he not write, “he that plants is nothing and he that
waters is nothing”? (1 Cor 3). Why, then, do preachers often act like little children, trying to out-do one another? In
the words of James, “my brethren, these things ought not be so.” I am thankful for the ability God has given me, and
at the same time I recognize that He has given many others even greater ability, for which I am most thankful. I
simply try to do my best, and hope that all others are doing the same. Some brethren have an ability to convey
thoughts much better than I, and that is great, we in the church need them. Some can write much better than I, and
again that is great, for we need good writers. Others are better in one on one situations, which is again great,
because we need good personal workers. I simply do my best and try to improve where I am lacking, and the
improvements I make are often things I learn from those of greater ability. I am thankful for our good writers and
orators. Christianity is not a competition, it is a work in which we are all involved working together to glorify God.
