Value!

Value!

He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. Luke 16:10 AMPC

The Inspiration:

How would you define or decide on the value of a thing? There are two critical definitions to consider here: "principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is important in life." AND "the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something."  It would seem that there is a personal decision to make here. I do not need to justify my decision to you, or have to get you to understand my perspective. What matters is that I have come to a decision on something. God has also given me an insight into the things He loves and hates, so I have the information I need in order to make the right decision. As I relate with people, and also handle things, what are the principles that guide my pursuits, principles and priorities? No matter how hard I try to conceal it, how I work, live and relate will be based on the quality and depth of my convictions about value. 

The Contention:

If I consider something to be inconsequential or not important, I will not give it much thought as I would give something I see as critical. The investment of time and resources is based on what I consider to be important. It has to be said that even the world does not give a man all the resources he needs all at once; there is a period and process of testing that proves that the man knows the value of whatever he has been given. Before you commit resources into a man's hand, you want to see previous experience, proven by things that can be seen, touched or reviewed. Someone who will be awarded a big contract will have to show good outcomes for previous smaller projects. If this is true for the physical, imagine the scope and impact for the spiritual. It is very possible that a man may pretend to be focused and committed to something for a while, but you cannot fake the results of the products of your life and hands. How I do what I do is a measure of my understanding of what value is.

The Conclusion:

It starts with the little, long before we get to the big. How I handle the small will determine if God gives me the opportunity to handle the big. However, I must also realise that whether it is little or much, God is the One who defines impact according to his timing. That which I see as little may be God's foundation for the miraculous. I must also not be afraid of starting small, wherever or whatever that may look like. I am the one who may see a thing as small, but in the hands of a God who is able to promote and raise up, He has clarity on timing and purpose, as well as placement. He will test before he promotes, just as a school will also test before a student can move on to bigger projects. Men can be deceived by outward pretence but God cannot. He sees the heart with which we act, and His rewards are in line with my own understanding of value. If I consider something important, I will give it my best. Am I doing so at the moment? Do I need to be forced or cajoled to give my best at all times? Remember, with God, the big is usually tied to how I handled the small. God's time of favour is here.