The Ministry of Excellence
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)
We’ve seen that the most fundamental purpose of our work is to glorify God by “reflecting his greatness” and character.
What exactly are God’s characteristics? The Word describes God in many ways, but it is his character of excellence that is perhaps most visible to us today. You can’t visit the Grand Canyon or your local zoo without appreciating the masterful work of God’s hands.
As God’s children, we are called to be image-bearers of our Father. Theologian Andreas Köstenberger says, “As God’s redeemed children, we are to strive to be like God. This, it appears, includes striving for excellence.” John Piper put it this way: “God created [us] to live with a single…passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.”
In other words, one way we glorify God is by imitating his character of excellence and stewarding well the talents and opportunities he has given us (see today’s passage).
We live surrounded by darkness in a world that is desperate for something excellent and true. There is perhaps no more influential “sphere of life” for us to shine the light of Christ than in our chosen work. When we do our work well, we have the great privilege of glorifying God and serving others through the ministry of excellence. Therefore, go and do your work with excellence today!
