BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE  
 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 
 
One of the top 4 advertisers on sports TV is the Armed Services. Of the several branches, the Army gets the most publicity. Their slogan is known by almost anyone who watches sports. "Be all that you can be—in the Army." 
One the surface this slogan has a nice ring to it, but there is much more than meets the eye.

Anyone that has ever been to Army bootcamp realizes that even though the US Army say be all that you can be, the individual must apply themselves to achieving this.  
Being the best that you can be only speaks to the fact the Army will not limit the individual’s ablity to achieve, but what they are really saying is that if you are willing to put forth the effort you can be the best.

This is also true in the spiritual realm. The child of  God truly rises or falls as a direct result the effort that they are willing to put forth. 
I. GOD EXPECTS OUR BEST. 
In the Old Testament God wouldn’t accept the crippled, sick animals for sacrifice (Leviticus 22:21-22). He expected and received only the best. He also gave only the best (1 Peter 1:18-19). 
Illus: At a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankee second baseman, offered a prayer that is a classic in brevity and poignancy: "Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen."

Jesus commended the widow who gave her best (Luke 21:2-4). 
The Macedonians were commended for giving themselves (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). 
Laodicians reprimanded for being lukewarm (Revelation 3:15,16).It should be abundantly clear: God expects your best! 
II. WHY DO SOME NOT GIVE THEIR BEST? 
Some are lazy, plain and simple. It is easier to sit at home and do nothing. Some are too lazy to feed themselves (Proverbs 19:24). This can be also true spiritually (won’t study, attend worship, accept responsibility, etc.). Christians are instructed against laziness in Romans 12:11. 
Some have a quitter’s spirit—quick to start, but have no endurance (Luke 8:13). It is vital for Christians to be finishers (2 Timothy 4:7; Revelation 2:10). 
Some are content to be mediocre—never give their best at anything, the church included (Revelation 3:15-16). 
Some do not know that God expects their best. 
Some don’t know how to do any better. 
III. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. 
Assess your strengths and weaknesses (Romans 12:6-8).Resolve, with God’s help, that you WILL do your best (Joshua 24:15).Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) Study God’s word for guidance and strength (2 Thessalonians 2:15). 
 
 
Don’t compare yourself with others—only with God’s word and your abilities (Matthew 25). 
 
Remember, God is more interested in faithfulness than success!