Well Done!

Amy and I were at a conference a few weeks back and there was a point in the afternoon where we had a break and decided to do some shopping. The mall was a drive away from the hotel so we caught an Uber. Our driver’s profile told us he was originally from Haiti. Amy and I have had the opportunity to go to Haiti and we love the country and the people there. So, we struck up a conversation with him about our visit and our fancy for his homeland.

His opening response to our queries was, “Please don’t judge my people by our government.” I didn’t say it out loud but in my head I retorted, “Deal! You’re preaching to the choir on that one!” But then he said something very interesting. “Haiti is a beautiful country, but we have not done a good job taking care of our resources.” Now, that will preach to every one of us.

You see, God owns everything (Psalm 24:1, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). He gives to us out of his riches and according to our ability (Deuteronomy 8:18, Ecclesiastes 6:2, Matthew 25:15). And we simply manage what he has blessed us with (Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 4:2,1 Peter 4:10) . The question is: Are we doing a good job taking care of the resources that have been entrusted to us? (Luke 16:10).

To facilitate answering this question, I encourage you to do three things:

1. Take an inventory of everything God has blessed you with. A mental inventory is good but a written one even better. It will take days, but write down everything God has blessed you with. From your house and cars to your forks and spoons. From your spouse and children to your beloved dog and cat. From your job and office to your pencils and erasers. It’s all God’s!
2. Give thanks over your inventory. It’s easy to get caught focusing on what’s missing from the list rather than what is included in the inventory. It’s easy to begin to desire someone else’s inventory rather than our own. Giving thanks over what is on the list helps re-orient our perspective.
3. Ask yourself with each item on your inventory: “Am I doing a good job taking care of this resource that God has entrusted to me?” If yes, place a check-mark by the item. If no, ask God how you can better manage that blessing and grow into a better steward of it.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much” (Matthew 25:21).

Ryan Smallwood, Lead Pastor