When we were growing up, we heard a lot of legends which the elders used to impact practical life lessons. One of such had to do with a wealthy man in a community. He was the only one who had a ceremonial costume, so people often resorted to him to borrow it as occasion demanded. One day, a townsman of his came and met him having a sumptuous meal for lunch. He graciously invited the visitor to join him at table, and the man gleefully joined him. While they were at table, another man came to the rich man’s house. As with the first man, the rich man invited the second visitor to join them. This other man refused, stressing that he had come to borrow his special garment for an important occasion and that he had not come for food. While the rich man was going to give him the garment, the first comer protested that he also had actually come to borrow the same garment. The rich man did not listen to his protest, noting that each had faced what they came for. It was the last man that went with the garment.

More than having a vision, understanding priority plays a pivotal role in determining success in life…Faithful stewards know that it is mission first, leisure and pleasure later. Those who put their personal convenience before mission cannot go far.

More than having a vision, understanding priority plays a pivotal role in determining success in life. There are people with visions and goals, but they are too distracted and so come to nothing. When Eliezer got to Rebekah’s parents’ home, they set table before him but he pledged never to eat until he had declared the mission that brought him. Faithful stewards know that it is mission first, leisure and pleasure later. Those who put their personal convenience before mission cannot go far.