Dominion Mandate 3: Efficiency

Tags# Productivity, efficiency, fruitfulness, creativity, accomplishment, finishing mentality, destiny, legacy.

Tags# Productivity, efficiency, fruitfulness, creativity, accomplishment, finishing mentality, destiny, legacy.

Efficiency: doing things right.

Effectiveness: doing the right things.

I like how Martin Luther King Jr. put it: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

Some scholars suggest that it is efficiency that has been the primary source of wealth creation during the last 100 years because of its influence on generating cash flow from operations. The drive for higher productivity and reduced waste are normal preoccupations of all human work, regardless of one's religious beliefs.

KEY SCRIPTURE

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (; ;, ; ; ) H6509. פָּרָה pārāh: A verb meaning to be fruitful, to flourish. It indicates the multiplication and successful production of fruit, offspring, or flavors from living fruits, vegetables, animals, or human beings: human offspring.

Bearing Spiritual Fruit of Character and good works: (; ; ; ; ); Christian graces as faith, hope, love ( [cf. , ]).

Be fruitful offspring: ,; ; ,; ,; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; (17); ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

By now, one would have realized, that reclaiming our dominion mandates, is not easy. It will take commitment, and intentional resolve to keep at it, and not be discourage when there is resistance, opposition or chaos.

Efficiency is particularly difficult, because most people subjectively believe they are efficient, until compared with someone else. This leads to all kinds of cover-up techniques to hide our shame of not being good enough, not hitting the mark. In God’s economy of efficiency, we’re not all equal, and we’re not all suppose to win. All of us have received a contribution of gifts, talents and resources to multiply and improve on. In the parable of the talents, each person received according to their ability. () One received, five, the other two, the last one. The mandate to be efficient, productive and multiply what has been received is a given mandate to all. The wicked lazy man buried his talents/money. He did nothing. He waited in fear. He was lazy, slothful, and slow. oknērós; fem. oknērá, neut. oknērón, adj. from oknéō (G3635), to be slow, to delay. Slow, tardy, slothful, lazy.

In the end the “unproductive” slave was cast into utter darkness. () ἀχρεῖος achreíos; fem. achreía, neut. achreíon, adj. from the priv. a (G0001), without, and chreía (G5532), utility, usefulness. Unprofitable, one who has been set aside and is no longer useful (, slothful, wicked [see ]; , humble, of little value. How many people in the world, are living in social, spiritual, and sometimes even physical darkness because of the lack to be productive!

God being a farmer, a gardener, expect fruit, He seeks a harvest! The famous story of Jesus, about God being a farmer, involves active pruning and a cutting of if one does not bear fruit. The intention here of pruning, restricting individual wild growth, to create uniform collective growth is a clear agricultural practice.

Vilfredo Pareto (1828-1923) sociologist, economist, statistician famous for the 80/20 principle also developed the efficiency principle. We cannot improve at the cost of the other. Pareto optimum efficiency is achieved when one’s personal growth is not harming or costing another making them unhappy. The theory explains that one’s own efficiency at the cost of another, leads to revolution, and thus the good success not sustainable.

What blocks Efficiency from working and being exhibited in me?

How can I make Efficiency function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainly and stress?

Here are positive examples from Scripture (; ; ; ; ; ; )

Efficiency in the Bible: (; ; ; ; ; ) means being well organized, competent, and resourceful, making the most of every situation, doing our best.

4 principles to become more efficient:

1. Truth – honor, integrity, rightness, perfection,

2. Wisdom – applied knowledge at the right time with the right people, soberly, clarity,

3. Responsibility – I take responsibility for my decisions, no blaming.

4. Succession – I leave a legacy in others, empowering others, sharing efficiency, teaching, discipling.

Some more relevant Scriptures for further Study:

Seek after living productively because this is important to God.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” ()

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” ()

Acting in God’s power, work for the peace and prosperity of all.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” ()

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ()

Recognize that doing good works is how God describes being productive.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ()

Work your hardest in all you do for God’s glory. You will be rewarded.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” ()

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ()

Evidently one needs to become efficient in all areas of one’s life; efficient in mind and focus, efficient in managing one’s time and finances, efficient in managing your health and weight, efficient in one’s relationships and conflict, etc. In each of these cases one needs to acquire a divine strategy or plan. Faith is stirred in one’s heart, and divine grace is released to empower you to do it.

Efficiency begins in the Spirit.

Ultimately Christians/believers/followers-of-Christ source their efficiency in the Spirit: Oh God may we walk in the spirit continually. Help us to remain and abide in the spirit. Help us to find our complete habitation in the Holy Spirit. Work done in the Spirit is worship and glorifies God. Work can be done in the Spirit, for daily labour is not ungodly, secular, or sinful. (,; ) I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him.