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A Decision of Faith

by Jefferson David Tant

He was not a Christian when he began his college career, but his life had been founded upon good principles by a hard working mother who had raised her several children alone for some years. He loved to play basketball, and that had kept him busy throughout his years in secondary education. And basketball was to be the ticket to his education, for he played on scholarships at Florida College and at the University of Southern Louisiana.

While in college in Florida, some of his fellow students began talking with him about the Bible and about his life. included among those who talked to him was his future wife, a girl who kept stats for the team. At a later time, she is quoted as saying, "He is the only boy I ever dated who studied the Bible and prayed with me.

After his college work, he began playing basketball on a professional level. He played in Central America, Europe and the U.S. And, finally, big time basketball came knocking at his door. He was invited to come to an NBA camp in California. Various teams expressed a great interest in him, including the Washington Bullets and Harlem Globe Trotters. His agent finally worked out a deal with the Globe-Trotters, and off he went to their camp.

They liked him, professionally and personally. They wanted him to sign on. But there was a problem. As he began to look at their schedule (280 games a year), he saw regular Sunday games at I p.m., plus double headers at times. And often the team would leave after the game for the next town and the next game. What this spelled out was very little, if any, opportunity to be with the Lord and His people on the Lord's Day. He also had to think about the influence he might have on his teammates. Wherever he had been, he had been able to have Bible studies with his teammates and had taken several to services with him.

Team officials began putting pressure on him. They were offering contracts and respectable sums of money which were to grow each year. Fellow players were putting pressure on him, as they really wanted this personable young man to be part of their "family." But he was hesitant. He talked with his family, and then he made his decision. The Globe Trotters could hardly believe their ears.

"Don't you know what it means to be a Globe-Trotter?" they asked.

"Yes," he replied, "but I also know what it means to be a Christian."

Some of the team admitted that he certainly taught them that there are some things worth more than money.

And what does it mean to be a Globe‑Trotter? World wide recognition and fame. Financial security. The realization of a childhood dream. And why did he turn it down? It was a decision of faith, based on the principle of "Seek ye first the kingdom of God ...” (Matthew 6:33). This is not to say that playing professional sports is wrong, but in this particular situation, this young man saw that the compromises he would have to make far outweighed what he would gain. He may yet make it to the pros, but it will be by a different route.

I commend such faith and I commend such an example to all those who have to struggle with like decisions.

And how do I know so much about this basketball player? Well, he is married to my daughter, Sharon. His name is Donald Jacobs, and I am honored to be his father in law.

Other Articles by David Tant
Does It Really Matter to God?
The New Testament Church and the Churches of Men