Week 6: The Humble Hustle
What Paul Taught Me About Stewarding Purpose and Influence
There’s a version of purpose out there that looks a lot like hustle.
Influence that starts out holy—but over time becomes heavy.
It’s the kind that says, “Be known. Be seen. Be relevant. Be impressive.”
And if we’re not careful, even our desire to do good, meaningful, God-glorifying work can morph into something rooted in ego rather than obedience.
I know, because I’ve felt it.
I’ve chased purpose with clenched fists.
Measured my impact by likes, titles, or affirmation.
Felt behind because my platform wasn’t as polished or as big as someone else’s.
This week I sat with Philippians 3.
And in it, Paul gently unravels everything I thought I knew about purpose, influence, and identity.
Paul Had the Resume — and He Let It Go
In Philippians 3:4–6, Paul lists his credentials like someone reading off a LinkedIn bio: Hebrew of Hebrews. Pharisee. Zealous. Blameless by the law. Basically, he was elite in every way that mattered in his world.
And then in verse 7, he says this:
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
Paul had the influence we spend so much of our lives trying to earn—but he laid it all down. Not because it wasn’t valuable, but because it paled in comparison to the deeper thing:
“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Phil. 3:8)
He didn’t just give up his status—he stopped striving to be someone.
Because he already was someone in Christ.
What If Being Known Isn’t the Goal?
“I want to know Christ…” (Phil. 3:10)
Not, “I want to be known as a great leader.”
Not, “I want to build my brand.”
Not, “I want to prove I’m qualified.”
Just this: “I want to know Him.”
There’s something beautifully freeing about that shift.
When knowing Christ becomes the aim, the pressure to perform eases.
When intimacy with God becomes the goal, influence becomes a byproduct—not the pursuit.
What Humble Stewardship Actually Looks Like
This kind of stewardship is quiet. Steady. Often unseen.
It’s saying yes to purpose without needing applause.
It might look like:
Serving your family with joy instead of resentment
Showing up faithfully even when no one’s clapping
Leading with compassion instead of control
Creating from a place of obedience, not algorithm
Trusting that God sees what others overlook
Humble influence doesn’t need a spotlight.
It just needs surrender.
Pressing On, Without Striving
Paul ends this passage by saying:
“…forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Phil. 3:13–14)
That’s not the same as hustle.
“Pressing on” is Spirit-led faithfulness. It’s a life marked by purpose but not performance.
It’s not rushing ahead.
It’s not proving anything.
It’s living open-handed, trusting that God will multiply whatever you give Him—especially when it’s given in humility.
A Steward’s Prayer
If this resonates with you, I invite you to sit with this simple prayer:
Lord, teach me to steward my purpose with humility. Help me release the need to be seen, known, or affirmed by the world. Let my influence flow not from striving, but from my surrender. May I count it all loss compared to the joy of knowing You. Amen.
Before You Go
What’s one area of your life where God might be inviting you to trade performance for presence?
Let me know in the comments—or reply to this email if you want to share more privately.
And if this encouraged you, consider sharing it with a friend who’s walking out their purpose, too.
Until next time,
AS