When I was growing up in the dark ages, one of the more favorite sayings was ‘jack of all trades and the master of none’ typically preceded by a somewhat critical tone implying either – is this what you want to become or applied to another person. I think that the implicit assumption/judgement was that it should never be your intention to be in the ‘jack’ camp.
Another accompanying saying was: ‘that (I/the other person) knew enough about (fill in the blank) to be dangerous’. And if that was true that those who were daring were even worse and avoid them!!! Now as an ‘argument’ against that thinking are the inventors and other creative types. What if they had simply stopped/given up after one try? And what about another saying that exhorts us: ‘if at first you don’t succeed try, try again’. Do the advocates of the 1st two sayings simply ignore, turn a blind eye to the try, try approach?
Relevance? When it comes to spiritual matters, we really can’t be dabblers. I would also advise against being inattentive or inactive students.
” Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.”[2 Timothy 2:15]
We don’t seem to have much difficulty feeding our bodies… we need to be as attentive and intentional to feeding our souls. Neglecting our minds, wills, and emotions can cause many errors not the least of which is our inability to act as Paul instructed Timothy. I know that there are few of us who welcome tests and trials but it is the best way to know what it is we know and what we still need to know.
Why only dabble in ‘something’, why not learn as much as you can so that you are equipped to be effective? Mediocre and less is nothing to aspire to. Do you really want to be know as someone who only know a bit about (fill in the blank) so can’t be relied upon to be of much help? It’s like reading only the Introduction to a book and not read more to learn, know more, what’s important because you stopped with the Intro. It also can be likened to a person whose response in rarely ‘yes’ and/or ‘no’ because it’s mostly – maybe.
When it comes to spiritual matters, being a ‘jack’ is truly harmful. Because of a lack of study, you could easily mislead someone as well as yourself. Being ‘iffy’ about what scripture actually says plays into the devil’s plans. He is a ‘master’ of twisting scripture to his own advantage. Why would you want to be in partnership with him?!!!
“… you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
[2 Timothy 3:15b-17]
You did see that scripture is ‘profitable’ for: instruction, conviction, correction, and training. Yes? That’s the path to being more than a ‘jack’.
