Money is not the bottom line! In life, we should look BEYOND PROFIT and start focusing on the essentials. Our priority should be to love our God, spouse, family, ministry and work, in that order. Beyond Profit talks about living a full life. Beyond Profit talks about money (wealth) but most importantly how money (wealth) can become an instrument of blessing! I challenge you to think BEYOND PROFIT!
Are you facing trials of many kinds today? The Bible says..
‘2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.’ – James 1:2-3 (NIV)
I can compare trials that we face in life to the lessons in our formal education. Before you can move on to the next level (say from Grade 1 to Grade 2), you have to learn the lessons and pass the examinations given by your teachers. In life, we face these “lessons” and before we can proceed to new lessons, we have to learn from our current lessons. Are you facing a difficult situation with your finances, your spouse, parenting, your boss or employees, your health, sick loved ones and even your mother-in-law? These are lessons for us...not to escape from but to learn from. Once we’ve learned our lessons, we are ready for the next one. “What? You mean this will not end?”, you might say. Yes, life is full of lessons, whether you are a 3-year old child playing in the living room or a 90-year old great grandfather sitting on a rocking chair. Life will throw lessons at you until you breathe your final breath.
So how can I learn from these lessons? Go back and read James 1:2-3 again,
‘2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.’ – James 1:2-3 (NIV)
In short, the Bible says that you should have the time of your life when you face your problems because you know that you will become a life champion...an over-comer!
So what’s your trial today? Embrace it! Learn from it! Then move on to the next lesson!
Trials of many kinds are lessons meant to develop our inner (and outer) strengths so that we can become complete.
‘4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ – James 1:4 (NIV)
May you achieve true success!
Bryan
PS. Do you want to be complete? Face those trials and learn your lessons today!
