Epitome of Success

~ Sometimes that mountain top culminates in death in this life while preserving LIFE in the next... suffering/poverty is not a marker of failure, nor is money and financial prosperity the marker of success... the only true marker of success is persevering in ur faith in Jesus Christ and leading others to do the same.. by the grace of God whether we walk thru continual suffering or struggle with fame and prosperity...


~ A good money handler is not the mark of a good ppl handler... do you not watch SHARKTANK?...


~ The widow with only two mites to offer... Lazarus being comforted by Abraham... the rich man in hell where his prosperity did nothing for him... the rich young ruler who walked away from Christ in confusion that his prosperity and religious behavior werent enough to please God...

Success is never rooted in the money/career that you have or dont have... neither is that truth an excuse to be lazy or sloppy or to lack diligence... do all as unto the Lord.


~ How hard you work or the career you have built are not to ur credit.. God pours his gifts and talents into our lives and brings the increase according to our obedience as he leads us to give it away, to invest it in the kingdom.. according to his wisdom and his mercy and the fullfillment of the salvation of every soul that calls upon the name of Jesus.... pleasing God in all that we do is the only thing we can boast about.. and even that, is rooted in Gods love and mercy and glory... the mere privilege to love him and approach him and serve him and please him... with all humility, genuinely thankful... that is the epitome of authentic success.


~ Also concerning money..
Keep in mind that it's not a matter of having to give it all away.. it's a matter of HOW GOD GUIDES US to give it away.. investing in the right ways to increase the amount to give away.. giving wisely and yet generously as he leads.. saying no to requests made of us that he has not given us peace about.. obeying his commands concerning money, work ethic, and serving others. It's not always about money.. success is about investing in the lives of others for the glory of God.


~ When ppl ask me to give a dollar for every cause under the sun when I am running to the store or out and about.. I have no trouble saying no and usually do.. but I couple it with a thank you.. because I see giving as an opportunity and I am thankful that they gave me the opportunity to give.

At the same time.. I might tip generously.. not knowing if my waiter or waitress saw us pray before our meal or not, which is our habit whether in public or in private, whether with a glass of wine at dinner or water.. or I might send off money in the mail or in a card.. or hand it off and walk away.. when a need is made apparent..

If God puts it in my heart to give.. then it's gone. ...
If he doesn't.. I wait and invest it in something else.

I think if we could move our mindset to the fact that we are never really spending.. we are investing.. that every dollar we shell out is investing in whatever we buy, the reason we buy it, and the source that made it available to buy.. we would prove to be wiser stewards of the money God passes thru our hands.


~ That doesn't mean that we invest only in Christian things or Christian ppl or Christian businesses.. on the contrary.. our investments should be more rooted in the unsaved and those who are in need.. as the Gospel is furthered.. while not neglecting those of the household of faith. And always coupled with a prayer in our heart over our investments.. and a listening for the Spirit of God to tell us when to speak as we invest and when to be silent as part of that conspiracty of kindness.


~ Ppl say to marry the first time for love, and then marry the second time for money..

NEVER MARRY FOR MONEY...

A world of factors that are out of your control can rob you of that money and shatter your marriage once it is gone.....

But if you marry for love.. God is love.. and he gives you great sway in whether your marriage succeeds.. he gives you the power to choose to love.. no matter what you face, no matter the sin that assaults you, no matter how many voices try to tell you to quit..

He guards your right to choose to continue to love..
And that is a powerful force to guard something so sacred as marriage.

Marry for love.