I was in a grocery store when another customer dropped a bag of chips. Looking down at the chips, he took his right foot and kicked the bag partway under the shelves and grabbed another bag for his shopping cart.

Later I was in a super-store and noticed a spill. Someone had dropped a glass jar of semi-liquid something. Bits of broken glass were in the soupy mix spread out in the floor, some of the contents splattered out a good distance from the impact. I was going to find an employee, when one walked toward me.  Surely, he was going to do something about the mess. Not so surprisingly, he walked straight to the break room.

Indifference destroys.

• Indifference destroys businesses.
• Indifference destroys families.
• Indifference destroys relationships.
• Indifference destroys churches.

Indifference says, “I don’t care.”

There are a number of symptoms of indifference toward God’s kingdom. What follows are four that my 30 years of experience in ministry reveals:

1. Irregular attendance. We make time to be where we want to be. We make plans to be there. I know people who plan months in advance to attend football games. They spend a small fortune on tickets, parking, gameday clothing, tail-gating, stadium food, and memorabilia. Do we make the same sacrifices for the kingdom of God? or are we indifferent?
2. Consistent late arrival. When you care to be at an appointment or a scheduled event you arrive on time. Most of us do not walk into a movie theatre after the movie begins. Guys will arrive early when they are dating, they want to leave a good impression on that certain young lady and her family. Do I make effort to arrive at God’s house on time? or am I indifferent to worship and to fellowshipping with His people?
3. Lack of participation. I know that no individual can do everything nor can they be at every event. But if we are not participating when we are present that is a symptom of indifference. Do I join in singing praises to God? Do I belong to a Bible Class or small group? Do I make effort to fellowship with other Christians? Do I participate where I can?
4. Lack of outside the building service. If the extent of my Christian service is at the church building, I need to re-evaluate my faith. Do I talk with neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, or the parents at the ball field about Christ? Do I help my neighbors? Am I living a Christian example day in and day out? Am I about doing good as a Christian to God’s glory? A lack of effort for Christ outside the building might indicate an attitude of indifference to Christ and His kingdom.

Consider the words of the apostle Paul to the Christians at Colossae:

• If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
• And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
• Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:22-24)

As Christians, Christ IS our life. As Christians were are to have a mind to work heartily for God in all aspects of life. We live in service to the Lord Christ.

Take a moment to think about all that Christ did for you in giving His life for the salvation of your soul from the wrath of God. . . .

Now repeat this statement with me:

“I must work from the heart for the One, who from the heart, gave all for me.”

Again, “I must work from the heart for the One, who from the heart, gave all for me.”

One more time:

“I must work from the heart for the One, who from the heart, gave all for me.”

– Scott