GIVING JUST ENOUGH FOR THE CITY

Growing up, one of my favorite artists was Stevie Wonder. I felt his songs made you think and wonder—thus, the name Stevie Wonder. I have always been a deep thinker, and to me, his name had nothing to do with him being able to play the keyboard without sight. I even joined his fan club. However, all I did was join. I did not go to his concerts, and I did not buy an album. My siblings did, so I listened to theirs. I did not go to fan club events. I did not read the club rules and bylaws, nor did I respond to fan club correspondence. I never made an effort to participate. So, was I really a fan or a fan of being a fan?

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26, NKJV).

The Bible says we are saved by grace and faith in Jesus Christ. So, does that absolve us from doing anything beyond having faith? God gives us time, talents, money, and other resources to use in His service, for His glory and our good. Who knows how much good I could have done if I would have actually gotten involved in the fan club and gone beyond deep thinking into deeper service? Who knows how much it could have benefited me? Maybe I would have gotten to meet Stevie Wonder in person. Wouldn’t that have been something?

One of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs is “Living Just Enough for the City.” This song tells the story of people barely getting by with just enough to make it. Are you giving just enough of your time, talents, and resources to be called a fan of God? Isn’t it time for you to move from a fan of God to a child of God?