Receiving God’s Letter of Recommendation: Displaying Excellence in Christian Stewardship

The Reverend Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist

            Depending on your line of work, you may have received a letter of recommendation. Perhaps, a high-school teacher, a college professor, or a colleague at work has written an outstanding letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters of recommendation are important inasmuch as we often need them to climb the ladder of personal and professional success.

            The Apostle Paul understood the importance of writing letters of recommendation. In 2 Corinthians 3:1-2, he writes: “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Surely we do not need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you, do we? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all…” Although paper or “physical” letters of recommendation are important, the kind words, commendations, or values expressed in the physical letter of recommendation should also be evident in the behavior of the person being recommended.

            Paul was a leader in Christian ministry in the early church, and in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 Paul provided a person that he recruited for the ministry with an outstanding letter of recommendation. Paul spoke of the “earnest care” of Titus as well as Titus’s enthusiasm for Christian service (2 Corinthians 8:16-17).” Paul regarded him as a “partner and coworker (2 Corinthians 8:24),” and he trusted Titus to lead a small delegation of three people to direct a financial collection effort in Corinth. The offerings would help churches in need of financial assistance throughout the region. Paul commended Titus for his Christian stewardship.

You and I resemble Titus since we have a “divinely orchestrated” assignment to fulfill. However, if God were to advocate for others on our behalf, would we receive glowing letters of recommendation based on our stewardship of God’s assignments for us? Would God brag about our willingness to forgive? Would God boast about our inclination to love? What would God say about our commitment to building “the Kingdom” on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)? Would our behavior truly match God’s comments in God’s recommendation for us?

We should constantly strive to receive a good letter of recommendation from the Lord.  Let us continue to draw on the resources of the faith (e.g., prayer, fasting, and reading God’s word) so that there will be a little discrepancy between what God says about us (e.g., God loves us  – see John 3:16) and how we live our lives.  James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows;” therefore, let us strive to continue to be outstanding stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.