Luke 16:10 (NIV)
Many times, in life, we are waiting for God to promote us or give us greater responsibility, but what are we doing while we are waiting? Have we proven ourselves faithful with what He has already given us? Have we passed the test at hand, or do we feel that surely God would not judge us based upon the insignificant responsibility we have now?
We often make excuse and half-heartedly steward what God has already given us, thinking it is just a light thing, that couldn't really mean much. I mean, honestly, the meager salary that I make now, the small group that I lead, the ungrateful folks that I minister to...it's nothing compared to what God has shown me for my life. One day I will speak to nations, millions will know my name...I will be wealthy beyond my wildest imagination, my ministry will be one of the largest in the world.
How often we are deceived into believing that, our stewardship over what seems so insignificant now, has little or nothing to do with what God has in store for us in the future. But, the fact of the matter is, until we have proven ourselves faithful in the small things, we will never see those great visions and dreams come to pass.
I am mindful of a couple of different stories from Scripture that illustrate this so well. One is the story of a young shepherd boy, named David. David is off in the fields and pastures, guarding and watching over a flock of sheep. Being a shepherd was not a glorious job, in any form or fashion. But we see David, tending the sheep and ministering to the Lord. Though, this may have seemed like an insignificant and meaningless job, David did not view it as such.
As we read in 1 Samuel 17, David took this so seriously, that he risked his own life to rescue sheep that had been carried off by a lion and a bear. I mean, really, was one sheep worth him risking his very life? Yes, to David it was. And it was through these experiences that he found new hope, faith and strength in God. This is what helped to prepare him to face Goliath.
There is also the story of Joseph, as told in the book of Genesis. A young man who also had dreams of greatness. Joseph is sold into slavery by his own brothers, because of their jealousy. He is also falsely accused of trying to rape Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison, as a result. Yet, through this all, Joseph remains faithful. Faithful to God and his convictions.
Joseph could have allowed the things that happened to him to discourage him and cause him to become bitter and resentful. As a result, he could have found excuse not continue to serve and honor God. He could have allowed the poison of bitterness to keep him from walking in a spirit of excellence, even in the midst of a very difficult season of his life. After all, this was far from the dreams God had given him, so why not just remain complacent and wait for God to deliver him and bring him to his appointed destination?
It is often in the place of humility and obscurity that the Lord prepares us for the work that He has ordained for us to perform. It is in this place that we learn of our utter need and dependence upon Him. This is the place where we learn to trust Him and discover His faitfulness. This is where we develop the confidence in knowing that, if God be for us, He is more than the world against us. It is here that we learn to completely surrender to Him and find that it is better to please Him more than man.
As a husband and father, my first ministry begins at home. I am called to be the head of my family, the king and priest of my home. Scripture also tell me, in Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you will be your servant." Though I can go out and minister tirelessly to others, the real question is, how is my service at home? Am I showing the same love, grace and compassion to my own family? Am I willing to lay down my life for my wife and children, without making them feel that they are a burden to me?
The Apostle Paul says in his second letter to the church at Corinth, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." What is the attitude of my heart as I minister to my family, even when they may seem ungrateful?
I remember, years ago, when I worked for my church in the Chicago area. I began as a voluteer, just content to be of service to the Lord and ministry. I was responsible for cleaning the sanctuary, following the services. I recall having to fix chairs that had been thrown over and moved, cleaning up piles of soiled paper towels, washing dishes that weren't even supposed to be used by the members. I remember thinking to myself, what is wrong with these people? After all, these are supposed to be adults. Why couldn't they clean up behind themselves?
As I went on and on about this in my mind and heart, the Lord asked me a question. He said, if you have a problem doing this, how can I use you to serve my people and minister to them when they have messed up their lives and need your help to fix them? That put things in a whole new perspective for me. I began to experience God's presence in a whole new way as I cleaned the church after that.
Whether we are cleaning a toilet or serving a meal to someone who will never know our name, let us be found faithful and diligent in doing whatever God has given us to do. Let us not despise the day of small beginnings. Remember, the Lord has called us to do all that we do as unto Him anyway. Even giving a cup of water to a small child, is serving Christ...the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Selah.
I am mindful of a couple of different stories from Scripture that illustrate this so well. One is the story of a young shepherd boy, named David. David is off in the fields and pastures, guarding and watching over a flock of sheep. Being a shepherd was not a glorious job, in any form or fashion. But we see David, tending the sheep and ministering to the Lord. Though, this may have seemed like an insignificant and meaningless job, David did not view it as such.
As we read in 1 Samuel 17, David took this so seriously, that he risked his own life to rescue sheep that had been carried off by a lion and a bear. I mean, really, was one sheep worth him risking his very life? Yes, to David it was. And it was through these experiences that he found new hope, faith and strength in God. This is what helped to prepare him to face Goliath.
There is also the story of Joseph, as told in the book of Genesis. A young man who also had dreams of greatness. Joseph is sold into slavery by his own brothers, because of their jealousy. He is also falsely accused of trying to rape Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison, as a result. Yet, through this all, Joseph remains faithful. Faithful to God and his convictions.
Joseph could have allowed the things that happened to him to discourage him and cause him to become bitter and resentful. As a result, he could have found excuse not continue to serve and honor God. He could have allowed the poison of bitterness to keep him from walking in a spirit of excellence, even in the midst of a very difficult season of his life. After all, this was far from the dreams God had given him, so why not just remain complacent and wait for God to deliver him and bring him to his appointed destination?
It is often in the place of humility and obscurity that the Lord prepares us for the work that He has ordained for us to perform. It is in this place that we learn of our utter need and dependence upon Him. This is the place where we learn to trust Him and discover His faitfulness. This is where we develop the confidence in knowing that, if God be for us, He is more than the world against us. It is here that we learn to completely surrender to Him and find that it is better to please Him more than man.
As a husband and father, my first ministry begins at home. I am called to be the head of my family, the king and priest of my home. Scripture also tell me, in Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you will be your servant." Though I can go out and minister tirelessly to others, the real question is, how is my service at home? Am I showing the same love, grace and compassion to my own family? Am I willing to lay down my life for my wife and children, without making them feel that they are a burden to me?
The Apostle Paul says in his second letter to the church at Corinth, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." What is the attitude of my heart as I minister to my family, even when they may seem ungrateful?
I remember, years ago, when I worked for my church in the Chicago area. I began as a voluteer, just content to be of service to the Lord and ministry. I was responsible for cleaning the sanctuary, following the services. I recall having to fix chairs that had been thrown over and moved, cleaning up piles of soiled paper towels, washing dishes that weren't even supposed to be used by the members. I remember thinking to myself, what is wrong with these people? After all, these are supposed to be adults. Why couldn't they clean up behind themselves?
As I went on and on about this in my mind and heart, the Lord asked me a question. He said, if you have a problem doing this, how can I use you to serve my people and minister to them when they have messed up their lives and need your help to fix them? That put things in a whole new perspective for me. I began to experience God's presence in a whole new way as I cleaned the church after that.
Whether we are cleaning a toilet or serving a meal to someone who will never know our name, let us be found faithful and diligent in doing whatever God has given us to do. Let us not despise the day of small beginnings. Remember, the Lord has called us to do all that we do as unto Him anyway. Even giving a cup of water to a small child, is serving Christ...the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Selah.
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