What does the Bible say about excellence?
The Bible has a lot to say about pursuing excellence in all aspects of life. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles regarding excellence:
God Calls Us to Excellence in Our Work
Several verses encourage excellence and diligence in our work:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). We should work with excellence because ultimately our work is for God’s glory, not just to please our earthly bosses.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). All our words and actions should honor Jesus.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). When we commit our work to God, He will help establish and guide our efforts.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” We should put diligent effort into our work.
God Desires Excellence in How We Use Our Gifts and Abilities
We all have natural talents and spiritual gifts given by God. He wants us to develop these gifts to glorify Him:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Our gifts are given to serve others and should be stewarded well.
Jesus told the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, commending those who worked hard and multiplied what they were given. God expects us to cultivate our talents.
Paul urges Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift you have” (1 Timothy 4:14). We should nurture God-given abilities.
The Bible Encourages Excellence in How We Honor God
We are called to wholeheartedly praise and serve God:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Loving God fully requires our best.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce” (Proverbs 3:9). We honor God by giving Him our absolute best.
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Excellence in serving God means completely surrendering ourselves to Him.
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Whether mundane tasks or significant endeavors, all should be done to God’s glory with excellence.
God Wants Excellence in How We Treat and Serve Others
We are called to love others, serve, and build up the body of Christ with excellence:
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…for the building up of the body of Christ” (Romans 12:6). Use gifts to edify others.
“Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). Look for ways to honor others more than yourself.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Focus on others’ needs ahead of your own.
“Through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Serve out of agape love.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Esteem others above yourself.
God Desires Excellence in Our Character and Integrity
Our inward character matters greatly to God. He wants us to pursue excellence in godly virtues:
“A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins (Proverbs 9:10).
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). God’s Spirit helps us grow in excellence of character.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). Dwell on virtues of excellence.
God made us in His image (Genesis 1:27), therefore we should strive to reflect His character of righteousness, goodness, patience, kindness, and love.
The Bible Encourages Excellence by Using Our Gifts to Serve the Body of Christ
Scripture makes it clear that each believer has a purpose and gifts to build up fellow Christians:
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Spiritual gifts are for serving the body.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6a). Our diverse gifts complement each other.
“As good stewards of God’s varied grace, use your gifts to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). Steward gifts well to strengthen the church.
“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). Pastors equip saints to minister utilizing their gifts.
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5). Our gifts enable us to fulfill differing roles in the one body of Christ.
We Glorify God by Using Our Gifts to Serve Others
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This includes using our talents and abilities to honor God by serving others and meeting their needs:
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Serving with excellence points people to God.
“Whoever serves, [let him do so] as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). Rely on God’s strength to serve so He gets the glory.
Jesus modeled excellent servanthood that glorified God when He washed the disciples feet, fed crowds, healed multitudes, and ultimately gave His life on the cross out of love (Philippians 2:5-11).
We should nurture our gifts and abilities so that we can utilize them for the glory of God and the good of others. Serving with excellence honors God and advances His kingdom purposes.
God Desires Excellence Because He Himself is Excellent
At the heart of the biblical call to excellence is the fact that we are made in the image of God, who is the epitome of excellence:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). God is utterly holy and perfect.
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). God is infinitely excellent.
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Psalm 104:24). God’s creative works display matchless excellence.
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). God is the perfect standard of righteous excellence.
As image-bearers of an excellent God, we are called to likewise pursue excellence in all we do – at work, church, home, relationships, and within our own character. Our excellence should be a reflection of His glory.
The Bible warns against pride and urges humility even as we pursue excellence. Pride was the original sin that corrupted human excellence (Genesis 3). We must rely on God’s strength working through redeemed people, not our own merits (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13).
Scripture also recognizes that our pursuit of excellence is limited in this fallen world. We strive for excellence not human perfection. Our highest calling is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) in light of Christ’s finished work on our behalf.
In conclusion, the Bible provides rich insight into the topic of excellence. God in His grace is conforming believers into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), who perfectly displayed divine excellence joined with humility. As we walk in step with the Spirit, God empowers us to pursue excellence for His glory.