Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Proverbs 22:29
My mother always told me, "If you are going to do something, do it well or don't do it." Those words used to irritate me as a child, but they have become a big part of my work ethic as an adult. I believe with all my heart that the grace of God and my mother's words are why I have never had a lousy work review.
In a roundabout way, my mother instructed her children as King Solomon instructs us in the Bible. Salomon tells us that skilled people always serve before Kings, never before low-rank officials. In other words, people who do things excellently will always get raises and be promoted.
In his wisdom, King Solomon reminds us that promotion requires skills, and one develops skills through hard work and practice. To be skillful at anything requires effort. No one gets to the Olympics because they are cute, and even talented people require uncountable hours of practice to become great artists.
Let us not mistake God's favor for a free pass. While God can open doors for us, we must walk through them with our best efforts. Remember, if you faithfully and diligently do your best in your current position, you will not remain serving a low-ranking official forever. Our journey towards promotion is a partnership between God's favor and our effort.
This week, I want to emphasize the importance of diligence in our work. Let us strive to do our best and represent God's Kingdom well. If we do so, God will be faithful and reward our efforts with promotion. However, it's crucial to remember that if you are not a good worker or are sloppy at what you do, you cannot expect God to promote you. Promotion is a promise reserved for those who work with excellence.
