No Risk It, No Biscuit

Considering Christian Risks

Though I certainly do not endorse some of the things he does, the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has a famous saying - “No risk it, no biscuit.” It symbolizes his chance-taking on long throws as well as other things. When Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl this past February, Gene Deckerhoff, the radio voice of the Buccaneers, said, “We are Super Bowl champions – no risk it, no biscuit - and the biscuit tastes really good right now!” This is a secular story with only temporal effects – nothing lasting! But what about the eternal?

Throughout the Bible, some men and women had the attitude – no risk it, no biscuit! They “risked” it all by faith. However, since it was by faith, was that a risk? It was not a risk from God’s standpoint, but from a human standpoint, it was. From the onlookers' standpoint - yes. Hebrews 11:32-40 is a powerful section of Scripture about some of these known and unknown risk-takers.

Everything worth doing has some risks associated with it. No one accomplishes anything for God without risks - financial, physical, mental, and much more. What are some of the qualities of these risks?

First, this is not a blind risk but one entirely based on faith - "Who through faith..." (vs 33a). Abraham was going to a country. He did not know where, but God told him to go (vs 8). Are we willing to risk things by faith?

Second, this risk will be dangerous (vs. 34).

“The question is not whether disciples will take risks for the kingdom, but rather what kinds of risk they will encounter.”¹

The three Hebrew children were willing to risk everything before they would bow to an idolatrous image.

Third, this risk will show us to be weak in ourselves but strong as we lean on God (vs.34).

David was no match for Goliath, but Goliath was no match for David’s God. David chose to look at how big his God was instead of how big Goliath was. Are we looking at the great risk or the great God?

Fourth, the risk may involve fighting (vs. 34).

In Hebrews chapter 11, the risks mentioned often involved military conquest by God’s people. Though we do not carry on physical war today as a people of God, we may need to fight other intense battles. These battles, along with many other things, are won on our knees. Are we willing to do serious prayer for the frontline workers of the mission field?

These risks will allow us to see miracles (vs 35a).

“A missionary to Africa told the story of an elderly woman who was reached with the gospel. Though she was blind and could neither read nor write, she wanted to share her newfound faith with others. She went to the missionary and asked for a copy of the Bible in French. When she got it, she asked the missionary to underline John 3:16 in red and mark the page it was on so she could find it. The missionary wanted to see what she would do, so one day he followed her. In the afternoon, just before school let out, she made her way to the front door. As the boys came out when school was dismissed, she would stop one and ask if he knew how to read French. When he said ‘Yes’ she would ask him to read the verse that was marked in red. Then she would ask, ‘Do you know what this means?’ and tell him about Christ. The missionary said that twenty-four of the schoolboys that lady led to the Lord became pastors.”²

This next risk will cost some of us dearly (vs 35b-37).

“The price of remaining faithful to God was often suffering, pain, and prison.”³ Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminded us, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”⁴ Matthew 16:24-25 says “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” It is estimated that 70 million Christians have died for their faith since the time of Christ.⁵

Our seventh risk is that people will misunderstand what we are doing (vs 37b). In January of 1956, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries gave their lives in Ecuador in their effort to reach the Waodani (Auca) Indians. This fierce group was known to attack any outsiders, but the vision for reaching them with the gospel compelled these young men to take the risk. Not long after they set up camp near the Waodani village, they were attacked by warriors. Refusing to defend their lives with force, the missionaries were killed. The news flashed around the world, and the story of courage and sacrifice challenged many to take up the missionary cause. Are we willing to obey when no one understands?

The final risk is that we may not always enjoy luxury (vs 38).

Matthew 8:20 says “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

The world will never “deserve” this risk (vs. 38a). “Beggared and banished, counted as the filth and offscouring of the earth, many a Saint of God has borne the brunt of this world’s hate.”⁶

"In a swift transition of thought, the writer moved from faith’s obvious triumphs to what seemed to be its defeats. But these defeats were only apparent, not real. Those who were tortured and refused to be released did so because they knew their sufferings would lead to a richer and better resurrection experience. So the readers might also endure suffering staunchly and expect reward in the future world. Indeed, all manner of physical suffering has been endured by people of faith, as well as ostracism from their homes and countries, treatment that the readers might also have to endure. But in a lovely touch, the writer commented that the world was not worthy of those whom it banished.”⁷

Remember the book of Hebrews was written because some Hebrew Christians were thinking of turning back on their faith and going to Judaism: “Example after example is given to assure the Hebrews that, no matter what they might be called upon to face for their professional faith in Christ, God is well able to deliver if He so wills.”⁸ Are we willing to do our part?

Finally, what about the Reward (vs 39-40)? They had a good report. Their testimony is still being talked about. Their future is bright – they didn’t get the promises immediately, but they will. They were part of the master plan that God had ordained. “New Testament saints have the substance, not just the shadow.”⁹ The Old Testament saints were foretold about Jesus through many means including the Tabernacle. We no longer need the shadows; we have the real thing.

We all must be willing to risk things. Is He more important than the risk? What is God asking you to risk?

1 In Harm’s Way: Reflections on Missionaries and Risk

² Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ, R. Kent Hughes

³ Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Heb 11:36). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

⁴ Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 1963. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Collier.

⁵ Opendoorsusa.com

⁶ Exploring Hebrews, 187

⁷ Hodges, Z. C. (1985). Hebrews. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 809). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

⁸ Exploring Hebrews, 186

⁹ Butler, 112