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It’s Performance That Counts!

One of the problems of any volunteer organization, is motivating people to do what they have promised to do. The motivating factor of getting the work done in business, is the check the employees get every two weeks. If they don’t work, they don’t receive the benefits of their work. Thus, it’s performance that counts — not just good intentions.

Jesus once told a parable about two sons:

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ “He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. “Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go” (Matthew 21:28-30-NKJV).

How often do we act like the second son in the parable? We promise such and such, but do not perform. We know that it is our duty to serve God, and we resolve that we will faithfully serve Him, sincerely saying “I go, sir,” but we tend to forget the words we speak as soon as those words are out of our mouths.

Consequently, there are Bible classes that meet without a teacher; the bread and fruit of the vine are prepared, but servers are absent; visitation cards are ready, but those scheduled to go and visit do not show up; care groups plan, but do not follow through; sick folks in the hospital are not visited; the weekly contribution is given, but there are no counters; the visitors who attend our services are not greeted; various assignments have been given, and volunteers have accepted the tasks, but there is often a great gulf between the promises and the performance.

One of the greatest needs in the church today, is for those who say they will do something, to do it; and for those who have said, “I will not,” to repent and do it. We desperately need members who will see to completion, the tasks they have been given. Good intentions will never get the job done.

Brethren, remember — it’s performance that counts! (James 2:14-24-NKJV; 1 John 3:17-18-NKJV; cf. Luke 10:25-37-NKJV).