by Gina Tsague on February 1, 2012
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” Matthew 6:34.
Do you have a tendency to worry? Why did Jesus specifically tell us not to worry about tomorrow? How can you avoid worrying?
It is very difficult to be in business and not worry about anything yet Jesus commands us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat, what we will drink, or about our bodies, what we will put on (Matthew 6:25). How realistic is this command to entrepreneurs? How can you not worry about tomorrow when you have deadlines to meet, bills due, and do not see a way to realize them? I do not know about you but when cash flow is tight and payroll is due it is very difficult for me to not be concerned. When a deadline is quickly approaching and production is running behind for a major client it is hard not to worry. And when there is no money in the bank and investors’ money or a bank loan is due how can I not worry?
As difficult as it may be, if Jesus commanded us not to worry this means it is possible not to worry. The question is how do we prevent ourselves from worrying when we are facing real business issues? What is the true cause of our worry?
To worry is to be overly concerned about a matter to the point of anxiety. It is taking personal responsibility for the outcome of a matter and denying God’s power and promises. It is putting your trust in your own ability more than God’s. In Matthew 6 before Jesus commands us not to worry he states that no one can serve two masters because if he does he will be loyal to one and despise the other. This gives us a clue to the source of our worry; the two master syndrome. We worry when we believe the lie of the enemy more than the truth of God. When we believe the lie of the enemy it means we fear him more than we fear God. When we fear the enemy more than God we are subconsciously saying that he is more real than God is. We then take matters into our own hands or (heads) and start to worry; which means we are serving two masters. In order to stop worrying we must fear God only, making Him our only master. How to avoid worrying about tomorrow:
- Know that your life is more important than things, if God can preserve your life He can provide you with what you need (Matthew 6:25).
- Accept that if God can provide for birds who do not work He can provide for you (Matthew 6:26).
- Realize that worrying will not add any value to your situation (Matthew 6:27).
- Cultivate your faith in God’s ability and promises (Matthew 6:28-30).
- Trust that God knows everything you need (Matthew 25:31-32).
- Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
- Focus your attention on the problems of today and leave tomorrow to God (Matthew 6:34).
Worry is like the flu; it comes and goes based on external circumstances and how weak your immune system is. You cannot change your external circumstances but you can strengthen your immune system. Strengthening your immune system requires you to study the Word of God and believe His promises. As you do that, focus your energy on addressing the problems before you today and by the time you get to tomorrow’s problems you will see that God already paved the path for you, making it easier for you to address your challenges. Have you noticed that you worry about the future and never about the present? When you are tempted to worry just begin to thank God for what He is doing in the present and commit your concern for the future to Him since there is nothing you can do about it.
My prayer for you is that God will give you the grace to be thankful for what He is doing in your life today and commit your concern for tomorrow to Him.
by Gina Tsague on January 18, 2012
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26
Have you ever wondered what Jesus means by this statement in Matthew 16:26? What is the soul? Can a Christian lose his or her soul?
Do you remember the last time you had to make a decision between remaining true to your values and losing a business opportunity? Most of us face this dilemma everyday in business and even in our personal lives. Do you cheat on a test in order to pass or risk failing? Do you tell the truth on your taxes and pay more money or lie and pay less? Do you tell the truth to your customers and risk losing their business or do you lie to protect yourself and preserve them as clients? When faced with these daily choices we need to consider that every time we compromise what we believe in and ignore the conviction in our hearts to advance ourselves, protect ourselves or make more money, we are trading our souls for the riches of the world. Each compromise takes away a piece of our souls.
In Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36 Jesus asks, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Here Jesus puts the world with all of its treasures and riches on one side of the scale and puts the soul of one man – not all men, but one single human being – on the other side of the scale and declares to exchange your soul for the whole world is a losing proposition. The soul of one single human being is worth more than all the riches and treasures in the earth. I always interpreted this statement as a warning about where we would spend eternity if we compromise spiritual things (things that are most valuable) for material things (things that will pass away). But here Jesus is not dealing solely with the eternal residence of our souls, He is also dealing with the present state of our souls. In other words Jesus is not just making a case for the consequences of the afterlife. Rather, He is making a case for the consequences of our lives now. Jesus recognized that our fulfillment and peace of mind are based not on the abundance of our possessions, but on the tranquility and harmony of our souls.
The soul is the essence of who we really are. It is the internal, non-tangible part of our person that makes up the integral part of our being. All persons have souls, whether Christians or not but the soul of those with a personal relationship with Christ has a guiding compass called the Holy Spirit which guides and directs them towards the things of God. Whenever you operate contrary to the things you believe in, you are damaging your soul. If you do that enough times without repenting you will eventually lose your soul. Many have lost their souls while serving God because personal success, influence or building a big enterprise became their goal rather than pleasing God and being of service to their fellow man. What can cause you to lose your soul?
- Your values are compromised in your personal and business life
- You constantly violate the Sabbath
- The end starts justifying the means
- Your focus is on what is “big” rather what is significant
- Your focus is on money rather than service
- You are not repentant
- You primary goal becomes winning
Just because you are a Biblical Entrepreneur does not mean you are immune from trading your soul for success. To prevent yourself from losing your soul you must determine in your heart that it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot without right, no matter what. (Proverbs 16:8)
My prayer for you this week is that God will reveal to you those areas that you have compromised in and give you the courage to repent and seek His grace to be different.
