Lifting Our Level of Skills

A Call to Faithful Stewardship

Lifting Our Level of Skills

Leadership is not accidental. Growth is not automatic. And excellence is never achieved by drifting.

Lifting our level of skills begins with an understanding that what God has placed in our hands matters. Our skills are not just abilities or talents; they are a stewardship. God entrusts us with gifts, and He expects faithfulness in how we develop and use them.

To lift our level of skill means three things.

First, it means stewarding what God has given us. Skills are not owned; they are managed. Every ability, talent, and opportunity is something God has placed in our care. When we treat our skills casually, we treat our calling casually.

Second, it means setting high standards. Growth requires intentionality. Average effort produces average results, but leadership calls us higher. Excellence honors God because it reflects care, discipline, and faithfulness. We should never settle for “good enough” when God has called us to give our best.

Third, it means giving our utmost for His highest. This is not about perfection; it is about devotion. When our motivation is to honor God, skill development becomes an act of worship, not just self-improvement.

Scripture reminds us that there are two kinds of people in the world: leaders and leaners. Leaders take responsibility. Leaners depend on others to carry the weight. Leadership requires initiative, ownership, and growth. You cannot lead effectively if you refuse to grow personally.

The Bible gives us a clear picture of this truth in Matthew 25, in the parable of the talents. Each servant was given something according to their ability. Those who invested and developed what they were given were commended. The one who buried his talent was corrected. The issue was not how much he had been given, but what he did with it.

Skill, in its biblical sense, goes deeper than natural talent. It includes our workmanship, our craft, and our commitment to knowing what we do thoroughly and completely. God values diligence. He honors preparation. He rewards faithfulness over time.

Leadership growth demands that we continually lift our level of skill. This requires humility to learn, discipline to practice, and courage to change. God does not call us to remain where we started. He calls us to grow into greater responsibility so He can entrust us with more.

When we raise our standards, steward our gifts, and commit to excellence, we position ourselves to hear the words every leader should desire: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”