Who’s the Best ?

Mar 14
2006

http://www.bennycornett.com

The share of the one who goes down into the battle shall be the same as the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.

-1 Samuel 30:24 (NRSV)

OCCASIONALLY I compare my accomplishments to those of others and lament that I seem to have done little in my life. We often make such comparisons. Children do it in sports or school competitions; adults do it in the workplace or at class and family reunions. Who is the fastest, strongest, or smartest? Who has accumulated the most wealth, prestige, or glamour? Who is the winner? Such comparisons can result in hurt feelings, envy, or rivalry.

But God does not measure success using human standards. In the story from 1 Samuel 30, David rewarded his soldiers equally for their service, no matter their individual contribution to the victory. In the same way, God asks only that we serve to the best of our ability with the talents given us. To some, God gives great works to perform; to others, work that may seem less important. It is not for us to compare our achievements with others’ or to judge another’s calling against our own. Our role is to faithfully do our best at the work God has given us, wherever we serve. When we give our best to God, we are winners.

Fred Lyon (Maryland, U.S.A.)

Prayer
Lord, help us not to measure ourselves against others but to see our service through your eyes. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Our greatest achievement is doing what God asks of us.

Prayer Focus
Those obsessed with competition