The Danger of Minimum Requirements
January 30, 2022
Written By: Angela Overton
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 (NKJV)
The Titanic was designed by some of the most experienced engineers and used some of the most advanced technologies available at the time. It was a great shock to many that, despite the extensive safety features, the Titanic sank.
At the design stage, it was suggested that Titanic use a new, larger type of davit, which is used to lower things over an edge of a long drop off such as launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davit). Sixteen sets of davits were installed, giving Titanic the ability to carry 64 wooden lifeboats—which would accommodate over 4,000 people, more than Titanic’s total capacity.
However, the White Star Line, while agreeing to the new davits, decided that only sixteen wooden lifeboats would be installed (sixteen being the minimum requirement by the Board of Trade. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Titanic)
A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE TITANIC
The ship could carry a total of 3,547 passengers and crew; and when it set sail on her maiden voyage, there were 2,227 people on board.
The high casualty rate when the ship sank was due in part to the fact that, although complying with the regulations of the time, the ship carried lifeboats for only 1,178 people. This was only enough for thirty-three percent of Titanic’s total capacity.
If there had been enough lifeboats on the Titanic, then there would have never been as many casualties. One thousand more could have survived. They chose the minimum requirement because it was aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The Titanic didn’t break any laws. The owners complied with the regulations that were expected of them. The owners were within the minimum requirement range. They thought they could get by with the minimum. They didn’t realize the dangers of minimum requirements.
Despite the luxurious tapestries, the gold-plated embellishments, the crystal, the silver, etc., the Titanic was lacking in a crucial area. The lack of lifeboats cost thousands their lives. They thought it could never sink because there was no boat like it in the world. Then, the unimaginable happened; an iceberg came out of nowhere.
When I was a youth pastor, I was asked, “Where’s the line? What things can I get away with and still make it to heaven?” They were looking for a minimum requirement salvation.
In our lives, we may look the part, act the part, and say all the right things; but an iceberg will be put in our path. The outcome of facing this iceberg will depend on what kind of relationship you have with God.
Have you been living with the minimum requirements?
Let’s live beyond the minimum requirements today. Let’s go deeper in God together.
Weekly Prayer Focus:
Throughout the week, I invite you to write or print this prayer focus as we draw closer to God.
· How can I draw closer to You?
· How can I prepare myself for heaven?
· How much of Jesus do I want?
· How much of myself am I willing to give?
Angela Overton is a lover of words, nature, and coffee. She is an ordained minister with the UPCI, has a master’s degree in Theology, and loves to teach Bible studies. She and her amazing husband, Michael, pastor in Silver Spring, Maryland. This article was originally published on the More to Life website.
