Choices Reveal Character

Chuckle: A preacher was writing a sermon and his son asked, "Daddy, does the Lord tell you what to say?" "Of course He does!" "Then why do you keep scratching some of it out?"

Good Quote: “By making choices consistent with eternal truth you will develop righteous character.” --Richard G. Scott

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10 NIV).

Every day, God allows each Christian to be tested with a series of small choices. "Little things mean a lot." You might say,"I would never rob a bank or swindle someone out of their possessions. However, I might choose to cheat a little on my income tax -- or be less than completely honest in a business deal. After all, doesn't everyone operate that way?"

Some seem to think it's OK to be less than honest in relatively insignificant matters -- as long as we are honest in the major transactions of life. What does this attitude say about our character? What are we teaching our children and grandchildren about character? What does God think of us when we compromise our integrity? Jesus teaches us the importance of making good choices even in what we perceive as the most minor of situations.

In our passage, Jesus teaches us that our character will determine our assignments from God. In a parable, Jesus said: "Well done, my good servant! . . . because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities" (Luke 19:17 NIV). If you feel your place of service in your church is not as important to God as someone else's, perhaps you will want to think again. There is no insignificant ministry to others in Jesus' name. Jesus made this point like this: "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward" (Mark 9:41 NIV).

Right choices and faithfulness in the small tasks, develops Christian character and prepares you for even greater responsibilities. God is more interested in your availability and faithfulness than he is with your opinion of the relative importance of what he has asked you to do. He wants us to maintain our integrity at all times and make godly decisions in all matters, whether great or small.

My prayer is that each of us will take another look at how we make daily choices and decisions in light of these passages of Scripture. The daily choices we make reveal our true character. Someone has said, "Your ideal is what you wish you were. Your reputation is what people say you are. Your character is what you are."

Love, Jerry & Dotse