What products need no advertising? (22:29)
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Outstanding workmanship needs no advertising. Any product of the highest quality, best-in-class, sooner or later rises to the top in public recognition.
The most powerful marketer is a delighted customer, who happily tells others. Word-of-mouth promotes products best and…best of all…it’s free!
The news about stellar products and services spreads fast, even to prime ministers and presidents.
The Best for the King
This proverb deals with finances only indirectly. Anyone “working before kings,” as a reward for excellent workmanship, will likely profit from wealth and honour. Kings want only the best and give the best rewards. Kings have full and absolute authority—even more than prime ministers and presidents, so some kings can act like despots and not return fair compensation to the craftsman.
Translation: skilled
The Hebrew word for “skilled,” מהיר, has strong connotations of the “expeditious,” as that word properly signifies: Quick dispatch, vigorous, and “speedy in executing what has been well and wisely contrived.” Thus a skilled worker is both accurate and quick. Kings and others places of great authority want the job done quickly and properly the first time.
The Search for Significance
We all have a desire to be important—to be significant. We want to be well-regarded—respected—yet this proverb insists that the best way to rise to a high place is by doing our own mundane tasks extremely well.
The type of craft here is not specified, only the quality of the work. It might be a baking, carpentering, or negotiating business deals. The point is this: it’s not so much what you do—it’s how well you do it. It’s the degree of skill and care put into your work. Whatever you do, you must know the scope and parameters of your work—what it is and what it is not. Then you must focus, focus, focus. It requires saying “No” to distractions. No one becomes skilled by dabbling.
We need dedication, not dabbling. Learn what you are best at, and master it. Meanwhile, off-load or delegate any other tasks that keep you from your core craft.
Classic Comments
In his Exposition of the Entire Bible, Gill elaborates that such skilled craftsmen “shall be taken into the service of princes and noble men, and admitted into their presence and receive favours from them; as Joseph, who was industrious and diligent in his business in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:4), was in process of time advanced, and stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt (Genesis 41:46).”
Matthew Henry notes, “It is hard to find a truly industrious man. Such a man will rise”—particularly, one might add, given the fading diligence of our contemporary labour force.
And the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states most succinctly: “Success rewards diligence.”
Deep First, Broad Second
This proverb does not advise us to “toot our own horn” or praise our own abilities. Instead, we must concentrate on doing our immediate task well—extremely well—and wait until we are noticed. I appreciate the advice given by Christian counselor Bill Gothard: “Concentrate on the depth of your message and let God determine the breadth of your ministry.” Or as someone else has said, “Bloom where you are planted, and you may be transplanted to be bigger pot.”
It’s worth remembering that we are always standing before “the King of kings,” that our Creator is always appreciating our efforts. For Him, all tasks are equally important and unimportant, and become worthy only in the love and faithfulness of our efforts.
- Memorize the text in your favourite Bible translation and think about it often.
- Know what your job is and is not. Be clear on your core responsibilities, and complete them to the very best of your ability.
- Love your job. If you can’t force yourself to love it, then change jobs until you learn to love your job, otherwise you’ll never be good at your job.
- Do not follow Hindu/Ancient Greek belief that secular work is somehow less noble than religious/spiritual work. No. All work is noble when done to God’s glory.
- If in business, make sure the quality of your products and services is the best. Many businesses over advertise to mask mediocre quality.
Which of these steps, if any, does Jesus want you to take now? Ask Him.
Outstanding workmanship needs no advertising. Any product of the highest quality, best-in-class, sooner or later rises to the top in public recognition.
The most powerful marketer is a delighted customer, who happily tells others. Word-of-mouth promotes products best and…best of all…it’s free!
The news about stellar products and services spreads fast, even to prime ministers and presidents.
The Best for the King
This proverb deals with finances only indirectly. Anyone “working before kings,” as a reward for excellent workmanship, will likely profit from wealth and honour. Kings want only the best and give the best rewards. Kings have full and absolute authority—even more than prime ministers and presidents, so some kings can act like despots and not return fair compensation to the craftsman.
Translation: skilled
The Hebrew word for “skilled,” מהיר, has strong connotations of the “expeditious,” as that word properly signifies: Quick dispatch, vigorous, and “speedy in executing what has been well and wisely contrived.” Thus a skilled worker is both accurate and quick. Kings and others places of great authority want the job done quickly and properly the first time.
The Search for Significance
We all have a desire to be important—to be significant. We want to be well-regarded—respected—yet this proverb insists that the best way to rise to a high place is by doing our own mundane tasks extremely well.
The type of craft here is not specified, only the quality of the work. It might be a baking, carpentering, or negotiating business deals. The point is this: it’s not so much what you do—it’s how well you do it. It’s the degree of skill and care put into your work. Whatever you do, you must know the scope and parameters of your work—what it is and what it is not. Then you must focus, focus, focus. It requires saying “No” to distractions. No one becomes skilled by dabbling.
We need dedication, not dabbling. Learn what you are best at, and master it. Meanwhile, off-load or delegate any other tasks that keep you from your core craft.
Classic Comments
In his Exposition of the Entire Bible, Gill elaborates that such skilled craftsmen “shall be taken into the service of princes and noble men, and admitted into their presence and receive favours from them; as Joseph, who was industrious and diligent in his business in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:4), was in process of time advanced, and stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt (Genesis 41:46).”
Matthew Henry notes, “It is hard to find a truly industrious man. Such a man will rise”—particularly, one might add, given the fading diligence of our contemporary labour force.
And the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states most succinctly: “Success rewards diligence.”
Deep First, Broad Second
This proverb does not advise us to “toot our own horn” or praise our own abilities. Instead, we must concentrate on doing our immediate task well—extremely well—and wait until we are noticed. I appreciate the advice given by Christian counselor Bill Gothard: “Concentrate on the depth of your message and let God determine the breadth of your ministry.” Or as someone else has said, “Bloom where you are planted, and you may be transplanted to be bigger pot.”
It’s worth remembering that we are always standing before “the King of kings,” that our Creator is always appreciating our efforts. For Him, all tasks are equally important and unimportant, and become worthy only in the love and faithfulness of our efforts.