“(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?).” - Apostle Paul, 1 Tim. 4:5

Hi, and welcome to this edition of the New Day Podcast, as we continue to explore the secrets of true leadership, from Paul's words in 1 Timothy 3.

When it comes to leadership, in verse 5, Paul writes, "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?"

I'm reminded of the parable of the Talents, as told by Jesus in Matthew 25.

The Kingdom of God is like a man going on a journey, but before he goes, he entrusts his property to three of his employees, each according to his ability. To one, he gives $1,000,000 (a talent is about 20 years salary @ $50K = $1M), to the next $2,000,000, and to the third $5,000,000. Over time, the value of the last two doubled, while the first did nothing with his portfolio, and its value remained the same.

After a long period of time, the owner returned, and asked for an update. When the man he had entrusted with the most  - $5M - reported, the response was "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a little; I will set you over much." The same thing happened with the second, who had received $2M: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a little; I will set you over much." When the third, who was given $1M reported in, all he could do was return the owner's money. Even though he didn't lose any of the money, the response he got was "‘You wicked and slothful servant!" And even the responsibility he had was taken from him.

 We all face a variety of responsibilities in life. We have been entrusted with skills, gifts, talents, friends, families, spouses, children, jobs, ministries, grandchildren, parents, homes, cars, time - the list is endless. The question this parable raises is, what do we do with it? Is there a return on our investment?

A few years ago, I attended a Multiply church planting conference, and one of the speakers was Jeff Bucknam my Lead Pastor. When the conference was over, Jeff attended a gathering with several internationally renowned leaders and church planters. They challenged Jeff with what Northview, our church, was doing to plant churches. They collectively said, "Jeff, you are a 5-talent pastor, and a 5-talent preacher, of a 5-talent church, and it's time you started acting like it." They kicked his butt, and Jeff listened. It was shortly after that event that Jeff brought a plan to the Council of Elders, stating quite simply that we are to be a church-planting and leadership-development church. We are a 5-talent church. We are a Lamborghini, and we've been driving like we are in a golf cart! It's time to put the pedal to the metal and get on with it!

One of our key values as a church, based on the Parable of the Talents, is to double the Master's money.

Several years ago, I spent a week or so clarifying for myself what my purpose and mission are in life. That's an exercise I would high recommend for anyone. The conclusion I came to is not unique, but it is powerful. When the day comes, and I leave this world behind, I want to hear the Lord say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Each of those words has taken on great importance to me.

When we meet God, we don't want to hear him say, "Well dreamed..." "Well intended..." "Well hoped..." or even "Well planned!" We want to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant.

One of the responsibilities the Lord has given to all of us is to be good stewards of our families - of those closest to us. Be a good and faithful servant. Hear the Lord say to you now - not just when you enter eternity - "Well done! You have been faithful with a little; I will set you over much."

I was at a conference many years ago, when I was still teaching at Sunnyside Children's Centre in Kingston, Ontario, when I was introduced to Laurence J. Peters, and the Peter Principle. I had never heard of it before, but the idea is that people get promoted until they reach their level of incompetence. In other words, if a person can do job A, they may get promoted to job B. If they do a good job at B, they can get promoted to job C. This process can continue until they get to a job they can't do, even though they could do everything required to get to that level.

On a side note, what kind of ego and Chutzpah does it take for someone to say, "Of all the people in the country, I am the most capable to become President!" Or Prime Minister. Or whatever.

Anyhoo…

It's often said that if you take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves. Look after the little things, and the big things become a lot easier. Be faithful in little, and you will be given much.

Caring for your family is not a little thing. It's hard, challenging, frustrating, blood-sweating, tear-inducing, heart wrenching work!

Be faithful with your family, and God may have even bigger challenges for you!