Make the Most of What You Have
The “if only” mindset can keep individuals and churches focused on what they lack instead of the resources and opportunities already in front of them. God can multiply seemingly small abilities, possessions, and opportunities when they are placed in his hands.
- Focusing on what we lack can discourage us and become an excuse for inactivity.
- Churches can build on the people, abilities, and opportunities they already have.
- Biblical examples show how God can use limited resources for significant purposes.
By David Faust
A church in our area hired a preacher who has an impressive British accent. “If my voice sounded like his,” I joked to a friend, “my preaching would be a lot more effective.”
Do you ever play the “if only” game? It’s easy to do. If only I were 6’ 8”, maybe I could have played in the NBA—but instead, I had to settle for 5’10” and shooting hoops with my friends. If I were a billionaire, I could give big, game-changing gifts to missions and non-profits; but the Lord confronts me with the question, What will I do with the resources I have?
Flaws of the ‘If Only’ Philosophy
An old adage says the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Middle-aged adults daydream about retirement while older people think, “If only I were young again.” Some singles say, “If only I were married,” while some of their married friends wish their marriages were better. Workers complain, “If only I had a better boss,” while the boss wonders, “Do I have the right employees?”
An “if only” state of mind demotivates and immobilizes us. It’s a lame excuse for inactivity. When we focus on what we lack, our confidence wanes, we wallow in discouragement, and we’re tempted to give up.
Have you heard about a community development approach sociologists call “appreciative inquiry”? It’s a way of identifying positive assets. Most local residents can readily identify what is wrong with their neighborhoods; but the appreciative inquiry approach turns things around and asks, “What do you like about living here? What are our community’s strengths? What assets could we build on?”
Wise church leaders ask similar questions. Too many churches fixate on their problems and limitations instead of pursuing a positive vision. Rather than making the most of their opportunities, leaders whine about limited funds, the unresponsive community, and the lack of volunteers. A small congregation may not have all the assets of a mega-church, but any size church can teach, love, and equip its members well, serve its community, and provide generous support for missionaries. Could you partner with a local school to serve kids and families, and encourage teachers? Using the assets you have, how can you make your Sunday gatherings and your weekday ministries the best they can be?
Limited Resources—Multiplied
God can do a lot with a little.
When a hungry multitude needed food, Jesus asked his disciples, “How many loaves do you have?” Their answer sounded puny when measured against the overwhelming need. “Seven—and a few fish.” But in the Master’s hands, those resources were more than enough to feed the massive crowd (see Matthew 15:33-38, New International Version).
Moses had a shepherd’s staff—a simple tool for tending sheep—but God used it to part the sea. A poor widow had only a handful of flour and a little bit of oil, but God extended it so her family had food every day and enough to share with the prophet Elijah. Dorcas could sew and make garments, and God used her skill to clothe the poor. The apostle Paul preached the gospel even in times of “weakness and great fear and trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3-4), and God used his efforts to change the world.
Don’t just complain about what you lack. What do you have? Give it to God and watch what he does with it.
Author: David Faust
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
