The Value of Your Anointing
Why do you want more when you already have everything?
A business leader recently asked a question of a group of men.
He asked, “Do you understand the value of your anointing?”
The idea of anointing is foreign to our modern business vocabulary. Throughout the Bible, when individuals were appointed for a divine purpose (such as prophet, priest, king, or leader), oil or perfume was applied as a symbol of identification for the one who was chosen, commissioned, or called.
Your Calling Answers Life’s Big Questions
When you are called to Christ, it helps you discover the answer to these questions:
What’s my divine purpose?
To what end has God called me?
Your answer is both personal and universal. The Bible offers us insight into God’s perspective:
“It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned (anointed) us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NLT)
As a Christ-follower, you are identified as having a divine purpose by the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is poured like oil into you, filling you like a lamp that never runs dry.
The next question you should ask yourself “Is being anointed by God enough?”
The answer: Be satisfied with what the Lord gives instead of seeking satisfaction in what you want.
It’s a challenge. Even David, a “man after God’s own heart,” struggled with wanting more as the anointed King of Israel. Remember how the prophet Nathan rebuked him after his dalliance with Bathsheba:
“Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. (2 Samuel 12:7-8 NLT)”
We often want more, even when we should be content with what we’ve been given.
When More Is Not Enough
Recall the story in Luke 15 about the son who wanted to claim his inheritance while his father was alive. In this parable, the young man is often called the “lost son,” or the “prodigal son.”
Such arrogance. This young man had everything yet wanted more. He could have claimed his inheritance after his father died! What kind of cold heart values riches over a relationship? By requesting his share of the inheritance, the son considered his father dead.
When God adopts you into His family, he gives you an “inheritance package.” As a believer, you are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3).
Your inheritance includes your adoption into God’s family, the purchase of your freedom with the blood of His son, forgiveness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
In short, you have gained everything because Jesus was willing to give up his inheritance to reconcile you with his father. He died so you can claim your share of an eternal inheritance that belongs to him.
What Will You Do With Your Inheritance?
Will you use your freedom to serve yourself or to serve others?
Will you spend your time foolishly or wisely?
Will you use your talents and resources as a way to get more stuff or as a way to pour yourself out to further God’s kingdom?
Will you pursue profit over the stewardship of your wealth to serve people?
There are many choices, and one admonition: Understand the value of your anointing. Don’t squander your inheritance.
Read Five Ways to Overcome Dead End Thinking on Bible.com.