When children of God are faithful and committed to performing the task for which God has entrusted them, His plan will proceed in their lives, on course, and with success in attaining the goal set before them.
For a person to tell the Lord, “I am willing to do what you want me to do” is making a bold statement to God. They are saying that they are willing to have God be in full control of today and tomorrow, while directing everything in their life.
When an individual entrusts their life to God and consents to His placing them in strategic settings where they are needed, God’s work force multiplies, and the gap is filled, whereby, the fulfillment of Scripture takes place.
(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
I heard a friend make a statement that stuck with me. He said, “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.” He believed that a person must, “Keep on keeping on,” as he put it, in order to be successful. He was a general building contractor and doing very well.
Not only do these statements apply to work ethics, but the work of the Lord as well. You and I must relate to these thoughts to be successful—including everyone in society. The point remains, we get out of life what we put into it, although, extenuating circumstances found in poverty-stricken countries may restrict the application of my friends thoughts, yet all things are possible with God.
Psalm 37:24-25), “Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” vs.25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”
People that sit idly by and wait for beneficial things to come their way, without working for them, are usually the ones that grumble and complain the loudest when others around them are getting ahead in life. Opportunity is waiting for perseverance to stand and say, “I’ll do it!” All they need to do is get up, face the challenge head-on, and achieve their goal with God’s help. Instead, they feel overwhelmed with boredom; nothing going their way.
These lazy sluggards are the first to point their finger at those that are successful, while exclaiming, “It’s not fair!” They criticize and hold others responsible for the misfortunes and predicaments that befall them. They perceive that life has thrown them nothing but a crate of lemons, while playing the blame game as they sit on their rear, criticizing—doing little to help their state of affairs.
There is a saying, “When life tosses me a lemon, do I eat it or make lemonade?” Making lemonade means sharing, refreshing juice with others, which is better than selfish consumption. Setting up a lemonade stand on a street corner somewhere, and putting the proceeds to bettering oneself, is certainly a door to success—it’s a beginning. This in itself is better than sitting around doing nothing, expecting a handout from society.
(Proverbs 29:18), “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.”
A visionary sets realistic goals for success. Vision, coupled with a plan of action, is a sure, affective recipe for obtaining these goals.
People that expect a free ride, if given, are never satisfied with the status quo. They are usually the same people that hit you up on the street, or at entries to businesses wanting a handout to satisfy their needs. An exaggerated example is when they brazenly knock on your door at home wanting the keys to your vehicle. If they don’t get the keys they come back later and steal the ride.
Generosity to some people is a curse to them, because it stifles their ability to become productive, self-sustaining individuals. They become a burden to relatives, friends, and ultimately upon society.
Our nation has become the biggest enabler of any nation in the world when it comes to giving. Some of our leaders prefer that people depend upon government to meet their needs rather than self-sufficiency leading the charge. A push for a socialist government is being pursued like never before.
This nation gives freely to just about anyone that stretches out their hand, without considering the backlash of problems that ensue as a result of other countries rushing our boarders to get their fair share of free money; at who’s expense? We, the taxpayers, are allowing our leaders to teach, through generosity, that it’s okay not to work for a living; that the United States of America
Today’s vision is not like it was in my dad’s day or his dad before him. This country is losing sight of what it means to have pride in oneself and maintain dignity. Everyone should be expected to do their part in making ends meet; otherwise, lethargy smothers the ability to become self-sustaining and function with self-assurance.
This problem plagues our land like an infectious disease that contaminates healthy bodies. There are too many physically, able-bodied individuals that are content sucking on the breast of society, becoming fat with self-pity, dependency, and lacking self-esteem, which are byproducts of lethargy.
In my opinion, government “help programs” encourage laziness and slothfulness. Rather than enabling people to seek government assistance with little effort, they should be cut lose and weaned once and for all from dependency to be able to grow into productive, self-caring, and self-reliant people, as God had intended everyone to be.
I understand there are situations that would prevent certain individuals from working by the sweat of their brow. I’m not talking about these people. I’m talking about the able-bodied, lazy nomads that are a leech on society.
My father raised four children to give ten for eight. He always said, “You’ve got to be a little better than the other person in order to stay.” He taught by example that we should go beyond what was expected of us in the work place; to put in an honest, hard day’s work; giving ten hours labor for an eight hour shift. He wanted us to feel good about ourselves when handed a payroll check at the end of the week.
Dad was never one for backing up to his check like others that he worked with. He was hard working, dedicated, and a faithful employee. He saw men younger than he come and go, because they lacked dedication and good work ethics.
Our dad stayed employed, because his boss saw the value in keeping him. He had proved himself to be dependable to the company. He was diligent and conscientious, never feeling embarrassed or ashamed to receive his week’s wages. I’m proud of the heritage that he set as a standard for me to live by. I have endeavored to teach these principles to my three children.
Faithfulness is the key to success-oriented people as they strive to fulfill obligations and commitments they made. Jesus lived and taught faithfulness. Whether giving of our time for wages, or donating it to organizations that need help; one thing remains—give your best and be faithful at what you do.
If a worker for God would start looking at the number of successful ventures they do for the Lord rather than failed attempts, as a gauge of spirituality, the willingness to take risks and to embark on difficult and unusual courses of action would become more productive. Success would be realized at all times, because of their faithfulness to walk where God directs. In this realm victory reigns supreme.
Trusting in God relieves stress in anxious moments when things aren’t going the way we think they should. Success is not measured in the number of converts; it is measured by the degree of faithfulness and sacrifice displayed by God’s elect. Believers can accept that God is in control of all situations in life, or rely upon intellect and finite understanding, which bring discouragement.
It’s not up to us to save people from their sins; only to tell them of God’s amazing grace. All God asks is that we remain faithful, and He will do the rest.
(Romans 12:1), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
God looks at our labor as normal, everyday service to Him. It’s nothing to become puffed up about or sound a trumpet to bring attention to ourselves. It is our reasonable service to the Lord. We should not expect a pat on the back for our efforts.
God expects us to share the good news with others, that there is hope in Jesus Christ. It is what Christians do. It’s the way of life for Believers. Yet, if the fervor to witness for Christ has subsided and grown cold, perhaps faithfulness, too, has become cold and stale.
Simply by lifting one’s eyes toward heaven and catching a fresh glimpse of Jesus’ face re-ignites faithfulness. The excitement and passion that was felt, because of the new birth experience through Christ will be rekindled. A reawaking desire to share God’s love with others will again flourish.
Are we committed to faithfulness, or have we become complacent and tired; wanting others to carry not only their load, but ours? A lack of interest and follow-through may be signs of “sideline fatigue.” We can become revived again through the Holy Spirit working in us and helping us to get back to where we should be as children of God.
Faithfulness is in the same category as, “It’s better to give than to receive,” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It also parallels, “Give and it shall be given unto you.”
Faithfulness means doing what God expects of us. Whether performing our job in the work place with gusto, or allowing God to use the talent that He blessed us with to point others to Jesus; it all spells: FAITHFULNESS. Everything works better and flows smoother when people continue to be faithful.
God never expects more of us than we are capable of giving. He prepares a person for the task He sets before them. Sometimes in our human frailty we consider the job as being too much of a sacrifice, and we balk before attempting the challenge before us.
God is patient and allows circumstances to manifest themselves, which often helps us find solace in Him through steps of faith that neutralizes the challenge sooner. God places the willing vessel where they are needed. We are that vessel, thus, the gap in God’s work force is filled, because of faithfulness.
Remaining faithful to God in the face of trials and tribulation brings much satisfaction to one’s soul. A feeling of overwhelming joy engulfs the Believer when the fruit of their labor is revealed and realized. To be a vessel that God can count on to share the good news that Jesus Christ is the answer for man’s impudent disregard for truth is worth any discouragement that may occur. The encounters of success outweigh the pangs of supposed futility.
Because of faithfulness, a difference can be made in someone’s life; a soul saved from a devil’s hell. It will be worth it all when we hear the words from our Heavenly Father saying words like:
(Matthew 25:21), “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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