Christian Living

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Taking A Spiritual Inventory
© 2006

by

Stephen A. Peterson


As a high school senior, I worked as a file clerk at the Veteran’s Administration in downtown Indianapolis. It was a valuable experience because I learned to do many tasks important in forming good work habits for later life—being on time for work, dealing with the public and working with peers I did not necessarily like; accurately filing and re-filing the personal information of retired American service members; learning the meaning and importance of confidentiality; take and issue directives; and at the end of the calendar year, take inventory to report the level of service given veterans that was to be reported up to the national office in Washington, D.C. In November, 1965, the area director, who many referred to as A.D., paid a visit to the office to explain to everyone the importance of keeping inventory of the office’s services. He elaborated that without taking inventory of services rendered by each office, the Veteran’s Administration would not know how best to utilize its funds from the Federal government nor would he be able to best allocate funds within his region.

“Of course, we could operate like a mom and pops country store,” the A.D. chuckled. “Just before the war (World War II), my mother and father operated a little general store. They never made an accounting of anything, and it didn’t seem to matter to them until they decided to sell their little grocery store in 1951. A prospective buyer was stunned when my parents could not determine whether they had a profit or a loss at the end of the calendar year. All my parents knew or really care about was that they had more money in their cash register at the end of day than what they started with.”

Some people, myself included, like to take personal inventory during the early fall months, not so much to determine how much treasure and things they have laid up but a spiritual inventory. A spiritual inventory is a reflective period during October and early November in preparation for Thanksgiving Day and to prepare for the coming and celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth and the twelve days of Christmas as well as during the Lenten to season to consider the sacrifice He made on our behalf. I have found by utilizing a Spiritual Inventory before Thanksgiving and Christmas I make these two of the most beautiful of Christian holidays become more significant, purposeful to me and others as well. I take the following inventory asking the following questions:





1. Am I reading my Bible daily? Yes No

2. Am I praying daily? Yes No

3. Am I more Christ like? Yes No

4. Am I a better listener to God and others Yes No

5. Am I devoted to my family? Yes No

6. Am I kinder, more thoughtful, respectful, and considerate of others?

Yes No

7. Am I helpful to people (especially strangers) with needs (emotional, financial, and the like)? Yes No

8. Am I giving of my time, talent and treasure to advance the kingdom of God? Yes No

9. Am I a just person who stands up for good and fights evil? Yes No

10. Am I chaste in thought, word and deed (not just when I am being watched)? Yes No

11. Am I forgiving when I am wronged and apologize when I wrong someone? Yes No

12. Am I loving to others unconditionally? Yes No

Some day at the final accounting, the Master will demand and receive an
accounting of each day He granted me and everyone the breathe of earthly life. No one will be able to trick the Master. It will be either “Dies Laetitiae” or “Dies Irae”.

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