Ok, if religious talk and conversations make you feel uncomfortable then this blog is not for you. What I am about to write is a discussion and not a topic I totally agree about it. In fact, my answer to this will be found near the bottom of the blog. I ‘m not sure I want to know the answer as it may make me feel uncomfortable.
One issue I have is that I believe there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It may only be answered through prayer and personal conviction. But I trudge on.
There are a couple of books that I have avoided reading because they may not be sending the message that I want to hear or currently fits my lifestyle. Francis Chan wrote Crazy Love and David Platt authored Radical to get us thinking about our lifestyle.
Chew your cud on this for a moment. Jesus told someone to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. Was that a one-time suggestion?
There are terrible things going on in the world. Things like slavery, oppression, starvation and wars. These are the things Christian are to stand up against, aren’t they? Do you think we will be held accountable for every cents spent on sports and for every minute watching it? Things can also be tied to things like cable TV or internet or satellite radio. Vices like tobacco fall into that category.
In an article in Relevant Magazine the following question was asked:
Will I get a pass on this at Judgment Day? Will Jesus say, “You spent more money on football tickets than 3 billion of my children lived on in one year, but I understand, those games sure were exciting, well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Karl Marx once said that “religion is the opiate of the masses. Does God really care about sports and who wins or who loses? Despite God’s probable indifference to competitive sports, there is a biblical principle that dominates life in general. The Apostle Paul said “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). So, although God probably doesn’t care whether a certain team win football games, He does care that people fulfill the two great commandments—to love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Because of God’s great works on our behalf, we are told to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” and “give thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
While God may or may not care about who wins a football game, one thing is true—everyone is talking about the God. When Tebow is involved in a miraculous play and he gives glory to God, God is acknowledged. When the Bronco’s lose, mocking commences and some suggest that God has withdrawn his hand of blessing over “his man” Tebow. But did you notice that no matter how the game ends, we’re still talking about God?
There are no limits to what God will use to draw man unto himself, including football. The fact that Tim Tebow bows in humility to his Lord after a great play in a game doesn’t necessitate that he believes God is rooting for the Broncos. And I don’t believe God is rooting for the Broncos. What I do believe is that God wants to draw attention to himself and to his mission. Tebow is a missionary on the football field. We can be a missionary in the stands, at the sports bar watching sports and various other aspects related to sports.
So does God care about football? I believe he does…and I believe we can make this affirmation without risk to the reverence required by God. But no matter what Tebow accomplishes on the field, he is getting people to talk about God.
My personal thoughts are irrelevant but I will express them. If you live by the words from I Corinthians and Matthew then you are on the right path. I believe Tim Tebow had it right. Play the game, see the game, spend money on the game but give your praise to God.