A Spirit of Excellence
Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings. Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV)
John Davison Rockefeller, born in 1839, is widely regarded as one of the most successful businessmen in world history. He founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870. By 1900, the company controlled about 90% of America’s oil production. In 1913, his net worth was estimated at $900 million, putting him on the path to becoming America’s first billionaire.
Rockefeller, who was reared in a Christian home, was taught Christian values and learnt to put God before anything else. This is what he believed contributed to his success. Rockefeller had a strong work ethic centred on his Christian beliefs. He believed in the importance of honesty and integrity in his business dealings. He saw hard work and humility as important building blocks of his success. Rockefeller believed that God’s calling on his life to make money was a gift God bestowed upon Him. He used this gift not just to treat the symptoms of the prevailing social ills, but to help alleviate the root causes. Rockefeller gave away more than $540 million during his life.
I believe that John Rockefeller had a spirit of excellence that drove him to become as successful as he did. Daniel, one of the most remarkable figures in the Bible, also had an excellent spirit. Daniel 6:3 (NKJV) says,
“Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”
Daniel’s excellent spirit was steeped in his devotion to God. In his desire to please Him in everything He did. His desire to reflect God’s nature. This should be our desire – at work, in our family, in our ministry, our service, in any activity we participate in.
Excellence Not Perfection
Our desire should be to shun anything that would compromise the excellent spirit that God has given us. We shun any tendency to complacency, mediocrity and poor workmanship. We shun the tendency to do just the minimum. Instead, we dedicate ourselves to doing everything that we put our hands to with excellence.
Operating in the spirit of excellence does not mean that we have to strive to do everything perfectly. It means that we submit ourselves to our God, who is perfect. Our God, whose wisdom, strength, and knowledge will lead us. Our God, whose hand of love and grace will be upon us as we commit ourselves to a life immersed in a spirit of excellence. Immersed in Christ.
The secret to success is to do the common things uncommonly well. John D. Rockefeller
Reflection:
Do you find yourself being complacent and mediocre in the things that God has assigned you to do? Why not trust your imperfections to our perfect God?
Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have been complacent and have settled for mediocrity. Help me operate in the spirit of excellence that You have given me. Help me not to strive for perfection, but trust Your perfect wisdom, love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
