(Prov 22:29 NLT) Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 6th Saying: Question on the Importance of Talent. Solomon was a sitting king when he wrote this and he was, no-doubt, surrounded by a skilled and talented staff. Those in authority are always looking for the ‘best of the best’ to be on their staffs. Here Solomon says that those who are exceptionally good as what they do will find themselves working for kings (for ‘top brass’), not for the average or unknown leader. This reminds me of the old adage, “Cream rises to the top.” If you work diligently and skillfully, expeditious at what you do, industriously pursuing excellence, cheerfully attending to your tasks, and not growing weary of your work, you will be noticed and promoted. The Message Bible paraphrase of this verse reads: “Observe people who are good at their work—skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a back seat to anyone.”
This is actually true for anyone, regardless of where you started. Even if you started at the absolute bottom, if you are diligent and skillful, and you honor God along the way, you will find that the favor of God, coupled with your work ethic, will cause you to be noticed and promoted. I will give you two examples of people who started off as slaves (yes actual slaves) and who were quickly promoted to being the second in command; second only to their respective kings.
1. Daniel: Daniel was an Israelite slave under the captivity of the Babylonians. But Daniel worked hard and his hard work would not go unrewarded. He made his way up the ranks quickly, to the point where chapter six says: “It pleased Darius to appoint 120 royal rulers over his entire kingdom. He placed three leaders over them. One of the leaders was Daniel. The royal rulers were made accountable to the three leaders. Then the king wouldn’t lose any of his wealth.” Did you get that? King Darius setup a system where he had 120 rulers over provinces and three rulers over them. Daniel – a man who was supposed to be a slave in captivity – wound up being one of the three rulers over the 120. But wait, it get’s better. The Bible goes on to say, “Daniel did a better job than the other two leaders or any of the royal rulers. He was an unusually good and able man. So the king planned to put him in charge of the whole kingdom.” Wow. Daniel did so good of a job that the King decided to place him over the three. There was no one above Daniel but the King himself. A man who was supposed to be a slave would up being the second in command, because he skillful and diligent.
2. Joseph: Joseph’s story is too powerful to tell it all, so I will only mention a portion of it. In Genesis 39 we learn that Joseph was sold as a slave to an Egyptian officer named Potiphar. The Bible says: “The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did… Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so… He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.” The only thing Potiphar concerned himself with was what he was going to eat that day. Joseph was in charge of everything else. Why? Because the Lord blessed all that he DID! But that’s the point. If he was lazy and did not do anything, the Lord would have nothing to bless! Joseph was skillful and diligent and he was promoted everywhere he went.
So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that if you study your craft and put in the diligent work required to get ahead, the Lord will bless the work of your hands.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for helping me to understand this lesson. I want to succeed, I want to excel, and I want to make the maximum impact I can make, in this world, for Your glory, before I die. Therefore I will put in the work required to study my craft, to become exceptionally skillful at what I do, and then to do it with all my might. As I put forth the effort, I believe You will BLESS the work of my hands and between Your favor and my diligence, I can’t help but get promoted. I will move up and as I do, I will seek to continually represent You well in all that I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
