All throughout history traditions, beliefs, and values have been handed down from one generation to another. When something is handed down to the next generation they are entrusted with that thing.
In the Bible, I’ve been reading through 1 Timothy as I prepare to teach it to a small group of friends. The word “entrust” has been resonating with me and I realize that we’ve all been entrusted with something!
For Christians, we’ve been entrusted to maintain the beliefs and practices of the Church as found in the pages of Scripture and taught by Jesus. We aren’t called to add to or remove from theology but to proclaim it, memorize it, defend it, and pass it on to the next generation.
Whether it be your beliefs, your office culture, or even a special talent, you have been entrusted with something to keep.
Part of my job as the owner of a real estate company is to make sure I keep on recruiting agents to join the team. This process includes talking with agents who work at different companies.
In one of those conversations the tables were turned and the agent on the other end tried to recruit me to bring my entire company to their brand. This was not the first time I’ve been asked to bring my growing company to a major nationwide brand so I was expecting some pushback when I declined their invitation, which did happen.
After my decline, they asked, “I don’t understand, why wouldn’t you align yourself with a company like ours?” My response was fueled by this underlying thought that has been running through my mind. Although I didn’t explain it exactly as I am writing it here, I basically told her I’ve chosen to remain independent so that I can chart my own course. You see, I have been entrusted to stay on the course I’m on and not to deviate. We ended the call amicably and agreed to stay in touch, “should I decide to change my mind.”
What has been entrusted to you?
Do you have certain skills, dreams, talents, businesses, beliefs, or traditions you have been entrusted with? How are you going to maintain those and pass those on?
At IMPACT Properties we have a set of core values that guide and govern our company and our actions. We have these core values prominently displayed in our offices, on our website, and on our marketing materials. In our weekly meeting we recite them out loud as a reminder of who we are and why we do what we do. I also have an ongoing contest to pay $50 to any of our agents and staff if they can recite them word for word without error from memory.
This process helps me maintain, protect, and promote the company that I have been entrusted to run and serve.
I want to encourage you to do just as the author of Timothy writes, “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.” (1 Timothy 6:20)
Photo by Ana Municio on Unsplash