Neglect can be expensive. I read a prime example of this recently. Back in 1992, many businesses were brought to a soggy halt for a time when a quarter billion gallons of murky Chicago River water gushed into a sixty-mile network of freight tunnels under the downtown area known as "the Loop." The tunnels had been in existence for about a century, but some were no longer used and were in need of repairs. However, due to budget concerns, repairs that would have cost around $50,000 were delayed and the final estimated cost to the city to clean up the mess caused by neglect was nearly two billion dollars!

Negligence can be costly for Christians too. Disciples of Christ should consider the following ten points pertaining to neglect:

1. Don't neglect your Bible.
   It is your sword for conquest and your hammer for construction. It is your guiding light. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psa. 119:105).

2. Don't neglect your prayer time.
   Followers of Christ should always "pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Prayer has been described by some as the breath of the soul. It is something we vitally need.

3. Don't neglect your worship.
   It is your greatest opportunity to express your thanksgiving before your Savior. It is a time to praise Him in spirit and in truth (cf. Phil. 3:3; John 4:24).

4. Don't neglect your part in the church.
   It is your heavenly family upon the Earth, and you have a responsibility to help it to thrive (cf. Eph. 4:11-16).

5. Don't neglect your kindness to others.
   It is how we show the love of Christ flowing through us. Hebrews 13:16 reads - "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Also, Galatians 6:9,10 - "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

6. Don't neglect your body.
   "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19,20). Your body is the capital, so to speak, on which you will do the Lord's business the rest of your life. It is important to take good care of it.

7. Don't neglect your mind.
   It is the seat of creativity and inner strength. We must constantly renew our minds and transform them by the power of God's word (cf. Rom. 12:2). "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

8. Don't neglect your laugh.
   "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones" (Prov. 17:22). Laughter is a medicine that will help keep your heart healthy and happy.

9. Don't neglect your reputation.
   It is what people will be thinking of when they hear your name. Jesus stated in Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world...let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

10. Don't neglect your duty of the Great Commission.
    It is how people are led to Christ (like you were). "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).

Dear friends, may we strive to be mindful of these things and take care never to neglect the great salvation the Lord has made available (cf. Heb. 2:3). "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away" (Heb. 2:1).