Why is excellence encouraged by God? And why should we strive to be excellent?

Genesis 1:31God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Our work should be modeled after God’s work, because we bear image. When God created the earth, he lavished his energy and creativity on it. Every detail was given his full attention.

Exodus 35:31-35“The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.”

God places great value on excellence. He created each person with unique and special gifts to help us become especially excellent in certain ways.

1 Chronicles 26:6Shemaiah had sons with great ability who earned positions of great authority in the clan.

Excellence is highly valued by others. Those who strive for excellence are often promoted to significant positions in order to impact a greater number of people.

2 Chronicles 30:21-22, 26The people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem joyously celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. Each day the Levites and priests sang to the Lord, accompanied by loud instruments. Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites regarding the skill they displayed as they served the Lord. The celebration continued for seven days. Peace offerings were sacrificed, and the people gave thanks to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. . . . There was great joy in the city, for Jerusalem had not seen a celebration like this one since the days of Solomon, King David’s son.

Excellence is appreciated. It inspires, satisfies, blesses, and motivates others.

Nehemiah 13:13I assigned supervisors for the storerooms: . . . These men had an excellent reputation, and it was their job to make honest distributions to their fellow Levites.

Luke 16:10-12“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?”

Excellence usually enhances a person’s reputation. Word gets around if we are skilled and trustworthy. Soon, we may be entrusted with larger and more important matters. On the other hand, if our efforts are halfhearted—even in minor things—we may not be trusted with larger responsibilities.

Ephesians 4:11-12Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Striving for excellence urges us to make unique contributions based on the gifts God has given us.

1 Peter 4:11Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Excellence blesses others. An artist who strives for excellence can inspire others with thoughtfulness and beauty. Parents who work hard at raising their children can impact their children’s entire lives for the better. When we bless others with excellence, we honor and glorify God as well.

1 Corinthians 9:26I [Paul] run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

2 Corinthians 3:18The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Peter 1:3-4By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Excellence in the Christian life is an indication that we are striving to be like Christ, who was and is excellent in every way.

1 Corinthians 10:31Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:16-17Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Excellence is an act of worship.