While I was growing up, I envied professional athletes. Not so much for the fame or the money, although I’m sure the money was helpful. I envied them because of what they could do for their families.

How many times have we seen the interview of the young man who was raised by a single mother who did all that she could to make ends meet? And now her son is able to provide a financial future for her so that she would never have to work or want for money again.

I so badly wanted that for my single mother who worked so hard my entire life, but that wasn’t “in the cards” for me.

I walked on to the basketball team at a very small school, and although I worked very hard and had a lot of fun, it was clear from early on that I was not going to make it to the pros. I would not be able to provide such a financial future for my mother via athletics.

Due to this, there were times when I felt like a failure, like a waste of what little talent I had.

Then I was reminded of Jesus. Jesus is the only perfect person to have ever walked this planet. If there was ever anyone who deserved the big pay day and to provide a secure financial future for His mother, it was Him. However, that was not why He was here.

Jesus lived each day seeking to honor His Father no matter what it meant for this life. His faithfulness to God ultimately meant a gruesome death instead of wealth or financial security.

To do all that we do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ means that we follow His example. We do all that we do with the bigger picture in mind, honoring God our Father and fulfilling the purpose He’s given us. Whether or not this includes a ton of money is of no consequence.

The question to always ask yourself with every possession, every play, every practice and every workout is, “Am I doing this in the name of our Lord -- in order to honor my God who has secured my eternal future which is more precious than anything I can receive here?”