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Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness

"Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard"

 

 

RESOURCEFULNESS - A Four-Minute Sermon

Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Contributed by Dr. Paul E. Toms

Senior Pastor (Retired), Park Street Church, Boston, MA

November 18, 2001


ARE YOU MAXIMINZING YOUR POTENTIAL?

Outline:

    1. What is Resourcefulness?
    2. The Bible Indicates It Is Important
    3. Application: Are You Maximizing Your Potential?

  1. WHAT IS RESOURCEFULNESS?

    New Englanders are famous for an old Yankee expression, “Make do with what you have.” We all remember the admonition, “Waste not, want not.” Resourceful people are constantly alert to possibilities of usefulness and practicalities that surround us.

    One of our textbooks often used in these character studies, Achieving True Success, says that “resourcefulness is finding practical usefulness with that which others would overlook or discard.” It is looking at objects, ideas and people with a new perspective, looking beyond the present to the potential. It is adapting, repairing, reusing, recycling. A resourceful person is creative and finds alternatives - is increasingly aware of possibilities that surround us - is increasingly sensitive to the ease of wastefulness. A truly resourceful person finds ways to accomplish things.

    Buildings often face destruction. Programs are about to be suspended. Activities are slowing down. To be sure, sometimes buildings need to come down and programs can outlive their usefulness. People also are often facing destruction. But we are reminded daily of places and programs and people that have been revitalized because there were people who were resourceful and caring and would not give up.

  2. THE BIBLE INDICATES IT IS IMPORTANT

    How does the challenge of being a resourceful person apply to the believer in Christ? The Lord invites and directs each Christian to invest his life in His service, in things that will count now and for all eternity! To love my neighbors for Him. (Mark 12:31) To be His ambassador, recruiting people into His Kingdom and encouraging people to love, to do good deeds and to mature in Christlikeness. (2 Corinthians 5:20) To carry out good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

    To meet my needs and enable me to carry out this ministry, the Lord provides me with gifts of many resources - my body, mind, spiritual gifts and talents, time, energy, relationships and many other wonderful gifts. As rightful owner of all things He expects me (and will hold me accountable as His steward) to care for them, use them wisely and invest them prudently. (Revelation 4:11, Colossians 1:15-16, Matthew 25:15-29; Luke 12:41-48)

    Good stewardship is crucial because each resource is so limited but so precious for blessing people and the Lord! And opportunities are limitless! And as I invest, He can multiply my resources many times over - having significant impact both in this life and the life to come! The quality of life of many (including mine), both now and then, can be significantly increased through my investment! (Romans 6:26, John 14:2-3, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10). And resourcefulness is an important ingredient in stewardship, because expanding our available supply of useful resources through conservation, salvage, re-employment and other measures of resourcefulness are important means for increasing our capabilities for blessing and building His Kingdom.

    He expects us to be resourceful in all our circumstances. We are to take advantage of every day God gives to us. “Make the most of every opportunity... (Eph. 5:16). “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Eccl. 9:10) Be resourceful, never give up, serve God night and day. There are ways and means to accomplish His will. You can live the Christian life in a useful and victorious manner. Look for ways to turn difficulties into stepping stones. Trust God to make things clear. He can be trusted and He will uphold you. When one door closes, try another. In everything give thanks—this is God’s will for you.

    Ultimately, our resources are in Him. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) “Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might., so that you may have great endurance and patience..” (Co. 1:11) Yes, He is the source of creativity, of making the most of what we have, of finding strength and guidance. Resourcefulness in the Lord’s service is available. Here is Biblical advice and confidence, found in Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.” Follow this pattern and see new resources wonderfully open. And rejoice in the opportunities to use all these resources to bless people and invest them in God's eternal Kingdom!

  3. APPLICATION: ARE YOU MAXIMIZING YOUR POTENTIAL?

    Let's spend these closing moments quietly with the Lord in prayer. In your life, are you maximizing the potential of all the resources the Lord has entrusted to you and makes available to you? Can you extend your resources through re-using, repairing, adapting, conserving? Do you realize how precious each resource is in blessing others and building His eternal Kingdom? Do you realize the limitless potential for their multiplication? Let us ask the Lord for forgiveness where we have been wasteful, and for perspective, wisdom, motivation, power, self-control and next steps to take to use our resources maximally for His eternal purposes. Commit to Him to take these steps with His help. Thank Him for His patience with you, for loving you, and helping you.
 

 

This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.