If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? Luke 16:10-12 NLT
He was “the most likely to succeed” as a young man. Everyone knew it. He was charming, intelligent, and good-looking. He was his father’s pride and joy, but as too often happens, his obvious gifts made him a target of his siblings’ jealousy. They master-minded a scheme that ended with him doing menial labor far from home. He had no support, was falsely imprisoned. Not a likely path for dreams to come true.
But this man stayed away from bitterness and trusted God. He forgave those who created obstacles for him. He learned to tell the absolute truth in the hardest of circumstances. He discovered how to recognize God’s voice and wisdom. He gained courage to stand alone. He watched both the good and bad of leadership and did his very best for whatever authority was over him. In an unbelievable chain of events, he used his God-given discernment and ability in utter obscurity and came to the attention of the top official in the land. That connection led to a greater job, a career way beyond his dreams. Eventually his work led his family back to relationship with him because he was in a position to forgive and rescue them. How? Because at every point in his work journey, he allowed God to develop his character.
You recognize this guy, don’t you? Yes – that’s Joseph, the man with the amazing multi-colored dream coat. Though God gave Joseph a mammoth vision and incredible abilities, for 40 years he was a slave, much of that time in prison. But in every change, in every circumstance, with different masters and different responsibilities, Joseph allowed God to shape his character. When Joseph arrived at his big opportunity, he was ready. His character could handle the responsibility, and his heart was able to forgive the hurts. He was not held back by his past. He had worked with God to refine his character so he could lead beyond his natural capacity.
Character and capacity go together. We all grow in what we can do and do well as we allow God full access to our character. Rick Warren says from a lifetime vantage point, “Whatever your work is – whether you’re working hard in obscurity or enjoying a position of power – God is developing your character too. In fact, God is far more concerned about who you are than what you do; he is much more interested in your character than he is in your career. Your workplace is a life course in character development.”
- God is much more interested in your character than your career. Are you?