My dad and his father before him were hard working men when they were fortunate enough to find jobs, especially during America’s stock market crash. Work was scarce.
The Great Depression, as it is
known, not only broke people’s will to face another day because of financial
ruin, the job market dried up, and individual finances crumbled overnight. This devastating collapse impacted lifestyles
and affected livelihoods across the nation.
The effects lasted from 1929
to 1939, but God was faithful in providing sustainable income and sustenance
for Dad, my grandfather, and their families.
Everyone was blessed as the Lord supplied all their needs in a time when
hardship and despair were everywhere.
Tenacity and commitment to
hard work kept them employed when God opened the doors of employment. I am thankful that Dad raised me with the
same work ethics as he and his father were taught growing up. I strived to do it likewise with my three
kids.
The profit margins for all our
successes are measured “hundred-fold” compared to some of the people today that
refuse to take a job when they are physically fit and able to do so, but don’t. For reasons unknown to me, there are those
that feel they are owed a living and entitled to special privileges, for
whatever reason, and don’t have to work for it, or they have a job and
habitually slack off each day, because of supposed entitlement.
I’m proud to say that all my
adult children and their spouses are hardworking individuals and do not take
their pay for granted. They always
exceed their bosses’ expectations each week.
None of them have ever backed up to their checks on payday,
metaphorically speaking.
They are not inept or incompetent,
but responsible employees that are dedicated to the companies they work for,
not like the slackers that shirk their responsibilities during the week and
embarrassed to look their employers in the eyes because they failed to give
eight hours of honest labor for eight hours pay each day.
All my children and their
companions take pride in the knowledge that they are excellent employees and
receive their checks facing their employers, because they are proud of their
exceptional work ethics. I believe God
expects this of us.
It is wonderful they are also
teaching their children the value of taking responsibility and being good
stewards of their money, while impressing on them the importance of working
hard to be the best at what they do. “Anything
worth doing is worth doing well” is the motto we live by.
The quality of being honest
and having strong moral principles goes together with the integrity that comes
from worthwhile training. Teaching by
example is most important when it comes to valuable lessons that are passed
down from generation to generation.
(Proverbs 22:6), “Train up
a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from
it.”
This scripture is pertaining
to walking with God and living within His statutes, but I believe it applies to
work ethics as well. Conscientious
training is priceless.
When a person utilizes and
adheres to this training, it produces favorability with others that opens doors
of opportunity, which are blessings from God to one’s livelihood. Advancements present themselves to those who
have uncompromising convictions to do what is right in life.
People take notice, because
trustworthiness radiates from principle-minded individuals. It’s who they are, and people see their worth
and are drawn to them. They are
certainly worth hiring, notwithstanding, they feel good about themselves in a
world of takers and freeloaders.
Obtaining a vault full of
money is not an issue here nor the intent of this writing. Money cannot buy happiness, though many
people try, but their efforts are in vain.
Contentment is contingent on
making good choices, investing one’s money wisely, and enjoying life without
all the hullabaloo of trying to keep up with the Jones’s next door or get
‘one-up’ on the Smith’s down the street.
Living for Jesus is the key and number one avenue to success. He is the One Who prospers us.
Most importantly, God should
be ‘top billing’ and held in high esteem above all things, while being first on
everyone’s list of desires. A person
having honor, integrity, and a good character that is coupled with nobility is
living an all-around good life through Jesus and blessed beyond measure.
Situations manifest themselves
in positive ways and fall into place when godly people are walking with Jesus. Things have a way of working out for them,
because their steps are ordered by the Lord.
People that demonstrate sensible thinking and practice aboveboard behavior
are the ones, like Noah, that find grace in the eyes of the Lord.
They stay in God’s good graces
as they obey His word, which brings us to my next thought. I believe a big part of enjoying a wonderful
life in Christ begins with giving the first fruits of our labor to God, which
is His just due of 10% out of each paycheck.
This subject is addressed in (Malachi 3:8). It’s called tithing.
You may or may not be tracking
with me at this point regarding this issue, so I will leave it between you and
God to work out for yourself.
(Malachi 3:8), “Will a man
rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed
You?’ In tithes and offerings.”
As for me, I have learned
through the years that I can do more with 90% of my money than the full 100% of
earnings, while feeling good about my obedience to God’s word.
Tithing is God’s plan that
works when His children step out in faith to implement His expectations and
follow His directives. Success works out
exceedingly well when we obey God.
(Luke 6:38), “Give, and it
will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running
over will be put into your bosom. For
with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
While jotting down my
thoughts, I contemplated changing the title to “How Much is Enough” dealing
with money accumulation, with ‘self’ being the central focus of my meddling.
I think, for some people, the
response to this title would be, “Just a Little More” or “There’s never
enough.” Sadly, many of these people
have placed money on a throne all to itself, above everything and everyone
else. For most of these tunnel-visioned
people, the love of money has become foremost in their thinking and their god.
How much of their money and
possessions do you think they will be permitted to take with them when they breathe
their last breath on earth? At the
closing moment of life, all their riches are for not, because they came into
the world with nothing and will leave the same way. Everything is left behind.
www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com
Written by,
Papa Boyd
**Please continue reading:
“The Profit Margin for Success” Part 2 or 2
No comments:
Post a Comment