Maximization — Faithfulness, Focus, and Faith

My everyday vocabulary rarely includes the word maximization, a concept achieved through consistent faithfulness, focus, and faith. Today, for some reason, the challenge within the context of this word seems to grab for my attention. Even though I partially understand the meaning of the word, I again considered the definition of the word to write this blog, . Maximization is

• the process of making something as great in amount, size, or importance as possible
• the act or process of making the best of something
• the act of raising something to its greatest value or extent

I now realize, however, that the Bible overflows with illustrations of and exhortations towards maximization. Maximization applies to how we approach virtually every aspect of our lives — from business and finance to parenting and the depth of our personal relationships, even to the management of our time and abilities.

Maximization requires faithfulness, focus, and faith.

Faithfulness

Jesus illustrated the concept through a parable about a ruler who, before going on a journey, entrusted his wealth to his servants. Pretty trusting fellow, right?

“To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability.”
Matthew 25:15

After a long absence, he returned and called each of his servants to account for what they had been given. The first two servants had successfully doubled their money. He commended them both, saying,

“…Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Matthew 25:21,23

If this was a test of their character, they both passed with excellence! The third fellow, however, failed to recognize the importance of the opportunity he had been given. He sat on it. Well, actually, he buried it in the ground where no one would ever find or see it! It appears his primary focus was to protect the gift not to use it. Perhaps, fear of failure paralyzed him from further action. Maybe, feelings of inadequacy or procrastination presented to great a hurdle to overcome.

Proverbs has this to say:

• “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4)
• “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).

Faithfulness plays out moment-by-moment, little-by-little, and effort-by-effort. Perhaps that’s what makes the consistency of faithfulness so difficult. Through faithfulness, however, we will reap the rewards of maximizing everything God places in our hands.

Focus

The second quality necessary for maximization is focus — focused attention toward a goal. When I consider faithfulness, focus, and faith, focus is, perhaps, my weakest link to the maximization of what God has entrusted to me. It requires a setting aside of lesser things and fixing my eyes on what matters the most.

I’m not always the best at setting goals, and, as a result, even worse at reaching them. Yet, I do realize the significance of establishing tangible goals. On two relatively small white boards in my office, I chart out the next six calendar months — including mentorships and meetings, courses I teach, book writing targets and deadlines, as well as upcoming shows and sales. I’m visually motivated, so seeing the constantly updated calendars helps affirm my progress and maintain a clear focus.

Biblical counsel aids me to focus on priorities, helping to avoid wasteful distractions.

• “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart] (Philippians 4:8 AMP).
• “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

God’s ways are always higher and better than our ways. By putting our greatest attention toward Him, He gives the wisdom to maximize our time and energies, helping us to focus and remember,

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”
John 9:4

Faith

In the parable Jesus taught about the bags of gold, none of the servants knew how long the master would be absent, what day he would return, or when they would have to give an account for their actions. It took consistent faith for them to put their energies and His resources into action. Rarely, do we see immediate results from our efforts. But as we daily move forward through faithfulness, focus, and faith, we will see positive results.

James, the half brother of Jesus perhaps offers the best encouragement on the matter.

• “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds! Can such faith save them” (James 2:14)?
• “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).

Our actions prove the depth of our faith. We demonstrate trust in a bridge to support us only when we cross it.

Faith carries us through the long haul — when the end remains beyond our scope of vision. It gives us the endurance to keep going when times prove tough. Faith in God glues together our efforts to fully maximize the results. Faith overcomes fear and displaces despondency.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1

The first two successful fellows in the parable who doubled their master’s gold definitely put their faith into action. They invested their talents before they were assured of the results. We don’t know how many times they doubted their ability, but faith kept them going.

And so, it is with us!

Maximization

Whether God has entrusted us with little or much, may we live each day with faithfulness, focus, and faith to maximize what is in our hands. When our Lord returns may He find us actively in the process of making the best out of whatever He has given to us. May we experience His joy as we give it all back to Him in an even greater amount, size, and importance.

Lord Jesus, we are extremely grateful for all You have done for us and the abilities You have given. You have created and equipped us to multiply, increase, and reproduce — not a little, but much. Grant us the courage to live daily before You with faithfulness, focus, and faith so that we maximize every kingdom venture for the sake of Your name. We are dealing with more than gold which will one day perish but with the eternal worth and value of souls (1 Peter 1:7). Give us the grace to prioritize our efforts toward the things that most touch Your heart. Speak to us, Lord. Change our hearts, aligning them with the initiatives of Heaven. Surely your goodness and love pursue us, chasing after us, and following us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6).

Lord Jesus, I bow before You today on behalf of the one who is weary,
the one who has remained faithful despite opposition,
the one who has fixed their eyes upon You without flinching devotion and focus,
the one who has lived by faith when there has been nothing else to live by.
God, strengthen them.
Grant them the audacious faith to hold on —
to not quit,
to not give up, and not give in.
May they see the miracle,
the breakthrough,
the provision,
they have been waiting for.
May they experience the increase they have trusted You for.
Come quickly, Lord!
Come quickly to meet them.

**********