Time to Upgrade

August 13, 2008

By William E. Richardson

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1, NKJV).

Every day, it seems, families across the country pay more to get more. Sometimes we do it for more services, from places like our banks and our telephone companies. We also pay more to see and hear more, from extra TV channels to additional Internet options.

We describe these improvements that enhance our lives as upgrades. We gladly spend a little more as long as we believe the benefits are worth the additional expense.

We’ve practiced it all our lives, from upgrading our education to upgrading our wardrobes. The first car my wife and I bought didn’t have air conditioning. The next one had air conditioning, plus airbags. Our next purchase added keyless entry and dual-temperature controls.

As Americans, we live our lives with the upgrade mentality — at least in most areas. Surveys by George Barna and others unveil a sad truth: We upgrade our lives of comfort while often neglecting to upgrade our spiritual devotion.

Some of us observe Sunday, then live Monday through Saturday as if Christianity is a “Sunday only” activity. We pray on Sunday. We read our Bibles on Sunday. It’s the one day we’ll mention God to others. But while we feel the need to upgrade our cell phones, computers and retirement funds, we don’t always accept offers to upgrade our spiritual lives.

The apostle Paul strongly urged the Thessalonians, and all Christians everywhere, to “abound more and more.” In other words, Paul said, instead of living on a spiritual plateau it’s important to constantly seek to climb higher.

What were the benefits of the last couple of upgrade offers you accepted? Whatever they were, God is offering greater benefits than anyone else. The question is, are we willing to pay more to get more?

Upgrading our devotion to God will cost more of our concentration, more of our time, more of our abilities, and most likely a little more of our money. But the gains will far outweigh the costs.

Here’s a trial offer: For the next week, set aside extra time every day to shut out all distractions, concentrate just on God, and tune in to whatever spiritual improvements He suggests.

The benefits of any spiritual upgrade will truly be worth the effort.

— William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.