But just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of giving. You've probably heard this verse read a dozen times or more as an offering meditation, and rightly so. God not only loves a cheerful giver, but God also loves those who excel in giving. However, there is something else that ought to be obvious to us in this verse, but that kind of gets pushed to the side, and that is the fact that we are also to excel in other matters and areas of life. Excellence in anything, whether it's giving or playing ball or our job, requires desire, commitment and effort. I once knew a guy who was trying to make the US Olympic team in track and field as a distance runner. He was doing his student teaching at my high school, but when he wasn't working, he was training every day before and after school. He would run mile after mile. He trained long and hard, endured trials and pain, put up with the Nebraska heat and cold, and made tons of sacrifices just to have the chance to try out for the US team. I don't know if he ever made the team, but if he didn't, it was not for lack of effort. Every Olympic athlete knows that the pursuit of excellence must be a dominating force in their lives if they have any hope at all of being a world class competitor. Champions on the athletic field are never satisfied with mediocrity. Not everyone wins a medal, but the goal is to always do ones best, giving full effort to the task. The pursuit of excellence should not belong to athletes alone. Christians too should work hard to be the best they can be in all areas, whether in faith or speech or kindness to others. And yes, even in our giving, we should never be content with mediocrity. Our goal is not a gold medal, but to glorify God with our efforts. At the end of the day, we want to hear him say to us, well done, good and faithful servant. And that is better than a gold medal any day of the week.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com. Have a great day and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.