In Proverbs 14:35 we are instructed that “The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, but his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.” As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are His servants. Jesus is our king. The king owns everything and has called each of us to manage His resources in a wise manner. The wisdom to please Him and fulfill this responsibility is found in His word.
Those resources or assets include time, talents, and money. In Proverbs 27:23 we are encouraged to “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.”
I need to ask God for a status report and a plan of action. The process can be started by seeking God’s wisdom in a series of thought provoking questions.
1. Do I have a life purpose that is pleasing to God? (2 Corinthians 5:9)
2. As I evaluate my schedule, am I investing my time and energy in fulfilling this purpose? (Psalm 90:10,12)
3. What practical actions am I taking to develop the necessary skills to meet the challenges I will face in the accomplishment of His goals for my life? (Proverbs 21:31)
4. Does my financial condition, as depicted on my balance sheet and income statement, indicate obedience to His principles? (Luke 16:11)
Allowing God to evaluate my performance as a manager should not be a cause for despair. God loves each of us unconditionally and desires the best for us. It should be a time to admit our sins, either of omission or commission, and to purpose to agree with Him and order our lives according to His principles.
The good news is that He is not finished with us yet. We can become more faithful managers in the future. (Philippians 1:6)