“But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” (Joshua 17:18)
God had given the tribe of Manasseh a piece of land but there were two problems with it: 1) Part of it was covered with trees and 2) There were Canaanites (ungodly people) in the land that God said were to be driven out. Manasseh asked Joshua for MORE land so they wouldn’t have to fight the enemy. But, instead of giving them more land, God’s solution for these people who said, “Give me BIGGER and BETTER,” was He said to them, “Before you ask for more, take care of what you already have. Clean up your own backyard, first.”
God said, “When you clear the forest, and drive out the giants and the Canaanites—then you’ll have plenty of land.” You say, “Does that apply to us today?” It sure does!
What would you do with more Bible knowledge when you don’t use the Bible knowledge you have? What would you do with more money, when you don’t manage wisely the money you already have? The reason some will never have any more money is because they have all that God can trust them with.
The lesson for us today is, if you want bigger and better opportunities, start by clearing the forest where you are. Manasseh said, “God, give us more land.” God said, “You cut down the trees where you are; you drive out the giants where you are and you will have all the land you need.”
Are you maximizing the potential that God has given you? Are you living to capacity? If not, why not? Ask God to give you the wisdom to use what you already have to the fullest so that He can trust you with more.