A New Year Inventory
Scripture - 1st.
Cor. 4:1-3
The
month of January on the calendar was named for the Roman god, Janus. He was
known as the “gate god.” Sort of symbolizing the gate-way into a New Year.
Janus had two faces, which meant that he could see in two directions at the
same time. Each new year we need to take at least a two-way look so that we can
have a proper appreciation of the past and a bright outlook for the future.
In
verse 2 of this scripture, Paul says “it is required that those who have been
given a trust must prove faithful”. As we begin this New Year, it would be
fitting to ask ourselves “Have I been faithful this past year? … Have I been
faithful in my time with God’s Word? Have I been faithful in my giving? Have I
been faithful in Prayer? Have I been
faithful in serving? If the answer is
Yes, then the prospect of the coming year ought to be exciting. If the answer
is No, then the coming year is the time to make some necessary changes in our
lives.
Each year businesses are required to take inventory. Some look at this
as a dreaded time of drudgery…counting everything in stock and mak-ing sure
that the books are balanced. But, some companies take a more positive approach
to inventory. They see it as an opportunity to see what sells and what
doesn’t…what works and what does not work… what needs to be continued and what
needs to be changed, in order to stay in business and be successful.
I
think that we as Christians need to take inventory as well, a positive
inventory, and perhaps every year! In the King James translation of this
scripture it reads; “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful”… There are several ways in which we should inventory our lives to see
if we are being faithful.
First of all, In 2nd. Cor. 13:5 Paul gives the admonishment
“examine yourselves, to see if you are in the faith”. This is where it must
always begin. We need to make sure our sins are forgiven. Recall the time when
we asked Jesus to be our Savior. Have the assurance that if we died this very
night, we know Jesus would be there to lead us home…to help us step into
eternity.
Second, when we take inventory of our lives, we must remember to compare
ourselves with Jesus and not with anyone else. The question is always “How am I
doing in my growth into Christ-likeness?” It might be good to compare our
spiritual selves with this time a year ago…and see if we have grown at all.
Have I grown in my knowledge of scripture? Have I grown in my relationship with
God? Have I grown in the way I relate to God through prayer? Have I grown in
the way I relate to my fellow Christians? Have I grown in my service to the
church? Have I allowed the Holy Spirit more control in my life? Or, am I still
in charge? These are the kinds of things we need to answer in order to really
examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith and faithful….not in a critical
way that brings guilt, but in a positive way that seeks change and success.
At
the beginning of 2013 I would suggest that we take inventory; that we examine
ourselves; to see if we are in the faith and if we are being faithful. Then
make a positive resolution to make some positive changes and do that which will
bring success and the greatest reward!
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