121. Too Much Is As Bad As Too Little

When I was a teenager, I remember wanting to feel important in my church group. So I really tried to entertain them by making good jokes. At this particular group meeting, we were having a good time and it seemed like people were laughing whenever I said something. I got so excited and went on until I realized I went too far. Damage done.

Everything in life becomes harmful when it becomes excessive. For example, Snow is good, beautiful to look at and very fun when there is enough snow until it buries your car. It also causes enormous traffic, accidents and financial damage. Too much is as bad as too little. 

Also in the Bible, there is a warning about going too far with what is seemingly good. Proverbs 25:16 says, “If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.” It is interesting because honey is known for its beneficial nutrients and medical use. And yet the writer of Proverb says if you take it too much, you will get sick and end up vomiting. According to scientific research, this is actually true. Too much consumption of honey will lead you to have a gastric problem because too much of it (fructose) will hinder nutrient absorption, thus causing stomach cramp and even diarrhea. 

This goes true for our Christian life. Good activities are not always good. For example, listening to too many sermons (for spiritual growth purpose) tend to make us hearers but not doers. When you have so many things to apply, you end up applying none. Jesus said “doers” of his word will build their life on solid ground, not hearers.

It is same with church. Many times church suffers to thrive not because of too little programs but because there are too many programs. One pastor said this: “Good things are not always ‘God’ things”.

So instead of making decisions based on “is it good?” principle, it is far wiser to live by “is it what God wants?” principle. When we are busy doing too many good things, it is hard to discern what God is really telling us to do. We as The Seed don’t want to be good at many things. But we want to be good at one thing that God wants us to be good at, which is to save the lost and make disciples of Jesus Christ.