The year was 2012. I was scheduled to speak in the Los Angeles area for a church’s weekend services. My normal pattern was to fly in late Saturday afternoon, minister Saturday evening and Sunday morning, and return home Sunday afternoon. This routine was about to change.
One of our ministry partners—I’ll call him Stan—discovered I was scheduled to be in LA and called to ask if I would like to play at the famous Riviera Country Club. This exclusive, private course is extremely difficult to get into. I didn’t have to think twice. I enthusiastically responded, “Absolutely yes, I’d love to!”
Stan picked me up early Saturday morning for the dream round. I started out the first four holes being three over par (nerves got the best of me), but
ended the round at two under par. Stan and I had a great time together; it was a memorable morning, to say the least.
On the drive back to my hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Stan asked a heartfelt question: “John, can I ask you about an issue I’ve been wrestling with?”
“Sure.”
In a vulnerable and sincere manner, he set up his question: “John, I’ve worked tirelessly and diligently, giving many hours to building my businesses over the past couple of decades. My net worth is now approximately $9 million. Everything’s running smoothly with my current clients. The result of years of hard work is that my wife and children are financially set for life.”
Then came his question: “Now that I’m entering my fifties, why should I work at the same pace? Why should I struggle to build my businesses to $35 million over the next ten years?”
When Success Is No Longer the Question—Purpose Is
Like Stan, have you ever wrestled with a “why should I?” question?
Why should I keep caring about… Why should I keep devoting time to… Why should I keep on… Why shouldn’t I give up on…
Standing there with Stan, the Holy Spirit immediately gave me wisdom on how to respond.
“Let me pose a scenario,” I said. “Suppose I told you I’ve written seventeen books, now translated into over eighty languages, with millions of copies in circulation. I’ve flown more than ten million miles over the past twenty-five years, endured jet lag, strange foods, and tiny hotel rooms—all to preach the gospel worldwide. The ministry is doing well, finances are stable, and my family is secure. Why should I keep working at the same rate?”
With a slight chuckle, Stan answered, “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when you stand before Jesus.”
I looked at him and said, “Stan, that’s exactly what you’re asking about your own life.”
The smile left his face. He turned toward me, stunned. “What do you mean?”
Calling Is Revealed by How You Steward What God Entrusted to You
I explained that God has divinely gifted every one of His children—but we are stewards. At any point, we choose how to use what He’s entrusted to us.
We can:
- Use our gifts to build God’s kingdom
- Use our gifts to build ourselves
- Or neglect our gifts altogether
I had Stan’s attention, so I continued: “Some of my obvious gifts are writing and speaking; your gifts are related to business and giving. You can see how my gifts are used to build the kingdom, but you don’t see how your gifts can be used to build the kingdom. However, here’s the truth: Your gifts, Stan, are just as important for building God’s kingdom as mine are. In fact, yours may be more important—and yet you haven’t connected the dots!”
We continued to talk along these lines. From our conversation, I found it both fulfilling and enjoyable to see the rapid change in Stan’s thoughts and attitude.
What he once saw as success for himself, he began to recognize as a platform for eternal impact.
Take a moment to pray and ask God how He wants you to steward what He’s given you—even if you’re not yet sure what those gifts are.
You might pray:
Lord, help me recognize and embrace the gifts You’ve entrusted to me.
Help me use them to build Your kingdom, not myself.
I trust You to provide for my family as I walk in obedience.
At the end of our lives, success won’t be measured by what we accumulated—but by how faithfully we used what God placed in our hands.
Step Into Your Calling
If this blog spoke to you, I want to help you go even deeper. My book, You Are Called, will equip you to discover your God-given purpose, overcome doubt, and boldly step into your calling. Don’t let fear or complacency hold you back—God has more for you!
