Outstanding vs. Valuable

Philippians 1:1-11

I remember the year NBA stars Michael Jordan and Earvin “Magic” Johnson were vying for the Most Valuable Player award. That year it was incredibly close, and the final tally resulted in Johnson’s winning the award by the narrowest of margins. The choice boiled down to an understanding of the definition of “valuable” as opposed to the definition of “outstanding.”

As one sportswriter correctly stated, few people would disagree that Jordan was the single most “outstanding” professional basketball player that year. The leading scorer in the NBA, the man was virtually unstoppable. No one would argue that he alone was the reason the Bulls gave the Pistons a run for their money. Jordan was a wizard in sneakers.

In spite of all this, however, Jordan wasn’t voted MVP. Why? Because the MVP not only takes into consideration superb individual performance but also the ability to inspire and involve one’s teammates, encouraging and enabling them to excel.

In thinking about this, it occurs to me that the ranks of Christianity include a few “superstars”—extremely capable women and men who have been appointed and anointed by God to occupy significant roles of responsibility. As significant as these outstanding folks may be, however, the greater award goes to the most valuable—those individuals who may not be as impressive or as popular or even as capable on their own, but who can inspire and involve others on the team. Whenever they are engaged in the action, good things happen.

Let me suggest at least eight qualities needed to be valuable:

  • Initiative—being a self-starter with contagious energy
  • Vision—seeing beyond the obvious, claiming new objectives
  • Unselfishness—releasing the controls and the glory
  • Teamwork—involving, encouraging, and supporting others
  • Faithfulness—hanging in there, in season and out
  • Enthusiasm—bringing affirmation, excitement to a task
  • Discipline—modeling great character regardless of the odds
  • Confidence—representing security, faith, and determination

Will you accept the challenge of focusing on being a valuable team player?

What qualities do you value and why?

The most valuable members of a church are those who can inspire and involve others on the team.

Charles R. Swindoll Tweet This

Taken from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

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Accuracy, clarity, and practicality all describe the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. Chuck is the chairman of the board at Insight for Living and the chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. Chuck also serves as the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where he is able to do what he loves most—teach the Bible to willing hearts. His focus on practical Bible application has been heard on the Insight for Living radio broadcast since 1979.

ఖచ్చితత్వం, స్పష్టత మరియు ఆచరణాత్మకత అన్నీ చార్లెస్ ఆర్. స్విన్డాల్ యొక్క బైబిల్-బోధనా పరిచర్యను వివరిస్తాయి. చక్ ఇన్సైట్ ఫర్ లివింగ్ కు బోర్డు ఛైర్మన్ మరియు డల్లాస్ థియోలాజికల్ సెమినరీకి ఛాన్సలర్. చక్ టెక్సాస్‌లోని ఫ్రిస్కోలోని స్టోన్‌బ్రయర్ కమ్యూనిటీ చర్చ్ యొక్క సీనియర్ పాస్టర్‌గా కూడా పనిచేస్తున్నారు, అక్కడ ఆయన చాలా ఇష్టపడేదాన్ని చేయగలుగుతున్నాడు-ఇష్టపడే హృదయాలకు బైబిల్ నేర్పిస్తున్నారు. ఆచరణాత్మక బైబిల్ అనువర్తనంపై ఆయన దృష్టి 1979 నుండి ఇన్సైట్ ఫర్ లివింగ్ రేడియో ప్రసారంలో వినబడుచున్నది.