Some people have been conditioned to think they can never please others. This can lead to an “at-leaster” mindset; someone that tries just enough to get by, because they doubt success is possible.
Maybe as a child no matter how hard you tried you never seemed to please your parents or someone in authority. This can lead many of us to eventually quit trying. Instead of striving for excellence, it's easy to begin just trying hard enough to survive.
In Jesus’ Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:24, the lazy servant was an “at-leaster.” He rationalized, “Master, he said, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.”
The other two servants gave 100% effort, and doubled the master’s money, while the “at-leaster” gave minimal effort, because he feared his efforts wouldn’t measure up anyway.
He believed he wouldn't measure up to the high standards of the master, so he didn't even try. Yet the other two surely knew the master to have high standards, but they decided that with hard work they could please the master, and did.
How much effort do you give to your work? 100%, or just enough to get by?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Bold and Sensitive
Norm Miller shared with our Faith Incorporated audience about his transition when he became the CEO of Interstate Batteries. He had determined that if his faith was real he needed to decide the best way to shine his light at work.
He, and his team, resolved themselves to be bold and sensitive; bold with proclaiming their faith, but sensitive to those around them who might not be interested.
1 Peter 3:14-15 teaches how to approach those around us, “Do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
Are you bold and sensitive in your workplace?
Do you have examples of times in your workplace you have been fearful of sharing your faith due to potential legal risks or the possibility of losing your job?
He, and his team, resolved themselves to be bold and sensitive; bold with proclaiming their faith, but sensitive to those around them who might not be interested.
1 Peter 3:14-15 teaches how to approach those around us, “Do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
Are you bold and sensitive in your workplace?
Do you have examples of times in your workplace you have been fearful of sharing your faith due to potential legal risks or the possibility of losing your job?
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Hope and a Future
A Parade Magazine poll discovered that 78% of the people surveyed believe that one person can improve the world. But what about the other 22%? You can’t reflect on history for long before you’re reminded of countless people who have improved our world.
If someone sincerely believes they have no chance of improving the world then they also have little reason for hope personally.
God informed Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give a future and a hope.”
If you’re one of those 22% who doubt anyone can make a difference, take hope. God loves you as much as he did Jeremiah. Your life and your work does matter.
Who has made the biggest difference in your life?
If someone sincerely believes they have no chance of improving the world then they also have little reason for hope personally.
God informed Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give a future and a hope.”
If you’re one of those 22% who doubt anyone can make a difference, take hope. God loves you as much as he did Jeremiah. Your life and your work does matter.
Who has made the biggest difference in your life?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Kansas' Hatemonger
Fred Phelps is the pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. For years he’s mocked Jesus’ teaching by picketing funerals and harassing the families of soldiers during their time of grief.
The Supreme Court will soon decide whether Mr. Phelps and his church are responsible for emotional damages to the family of one of the soldiers. Although “free speech” makes this case challenging, God’s Word, however, cuts through the injustice of Mr. Phelps’ actions.
1 John 4:20 teaches, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
How do you think the Supreme Court should rule on this case? If they rule against Mr. Phelps it may impact many well meaning people who want to picket or demonstrate against things they believe strongly in. If they rule in his favor it will allow Mr. Phelps to continue spewing his venom against innocent people. How would you rule?
The Supreme Court will soon decide whether Mr. Phelps and his church are responsible for emotional damages to the family of one of the soldiers. Although “free speech” makes this case challenging, God’s Word, however, cuts through the injustice of Mr. Phelps’ actions.
1 John 4:20 teaches, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
How do you think the Supreme Court should rule on this case? If they rule against Mr. Phelps it may impact many well meaning people who want to picket or demonstrate against things they believe strongly in. If they rule in his favor it will allow Mr. Phelps to continue spewing his venom against innocent people. How would you rule?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Church and the Marketplace
Last week at the Mission America conference I experienced a renewed hope that the church may be coming more aware of it's responsibility to equip the saints to be salt and light to the marketplace. For years, I have experienced frustration when I've tried to get some local pastors to realize the importance of equipping and releasing their congregation to impact the marketplace with their God given talents.
My recently deceased friend Pastor LeRoy Sullivan used to say that the church was great at going out and catching fish, to only put them in a fish tank in the middle of the church for everyone to see. Once they were captured the church rarely releases them back into their pond.
This year, however, at the Mission America conference one of the primary themes for city reaching was the marketplace movement. Several speakers did an excellent job of communicating the importance and the need for the church to equip and encourage the saints to be light to their workplace. For many of the pastors in attendance the light bulb went on.
Kansas City was well represented at this conference with many senior pastors in attendance. The highlight of my week was at the end of a very long day when Pastor Charles Briscoe, one of the city fathers of Kansas City, said to me in front of the group. "I have seen your work in the marketplace over the years, and I was touched by what I learned here this week. I want to ask how might I help you move this marketplace movement forward?"
Imagine what would happen if every pastor began taking Paul's edict in Ephesians 4 for the church to equip the saints to shine their light 24/7. I believe our churches would fill up with people being impacted by their co-workers and employers.
What are your experiences? Are you seeing an increase or a decrease in God's move in the marketplace? Do you know pastors who are beginning to teach on faith at work?
My recently deceased friend Pastor LeRoy Sullivan used to say that the church was great at going out and catching fish, to only put them in a fish tank in the middle of the church for everyone to see. Once they were captured the church rarely releases them back into their pond.
This year, however, at the Mission America conference one of the primary themes for city reaching was the marketplace movement. Several speakers did an excellent job of communicating the importance and the need for the church to equip and encourage the saints to be light to their workplace. For many of the pastors in attendance the light bulb went on.
Kansas City was well represented at this conference with many senior pastors in attendance. The highlight of my week was at the end of a very long day when Pastor Charles Briscoe, one of the city fathers of Kansas City, said to me in front of the group. "I have seen your work in the marketplace over the years, and I was touched by what I learned here this week. I want to ask how might I help you move this marketplace movement forward?"
Imagine what would happen if every pastor began taking Paul's edict in Ephesians 4 for the church to equip the saints to shine their light 24/7. I believe our churches would fill up with people being impacted by their co-workers and employers.
What are your experiences? Are you seeing an increase or a decrease in God's move in the marketplace? Do you know pastors who are beginning to teach on faith at work?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
When does ministry become a den of thieves?
I had a challenging discussion this morning. The essence of the discussion revolved around the issue of at what point does a ministry or church cross the line of buying and selling religion for a profit, versus a worker of God who deserves his wages.
In Matthew 21:12-13 we learn that "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers."
In contrast, Jesus told the 72 he sent out to preach the gospel, "Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house."
A ministry can be supported either by donations or by providing goods and services for pay. So why was Jesus concerned about the buying and selling in the temple. It seems to me that the temple was the facility used to share the gospel. What Jesus witnessed was profiteers who set up business at the temple selling the required sacrifices probably at highly inflated prices.
At that time the actual temple was to be supported by the tithes and temple tax. The merchants were in essence private business people using the church's rules to make extraordinary profits. It reminds me of going to a ball game and the only places that sell food are the vendors inside. The food is always much more expensive there because they have a captive audience. These merchants were using the same philosophy to get wealthy.
I believe there were probably two things Jesus was trying to communicate. First, the purpose of the church is to be a "House of prayer" not a place to conduct business. Secondly, he condemned these merchants as a "den of robbers." I believe the fact that they leveraged the authority of the church to make extra profit angered the Lord.
The question I would like to better understand is, if we have a job with a church or a ministry, and we are trying to carry out the mission of furthering the gospel of Jesus, is there a point where our charges for products and services have inappropriately leveraged God's Word for personal gain? If so, at what point have we crossed the line?
In Matthew 21:12-13 we learn that "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers."
In contrast, Jesus told the 72 he sent out to preach the gospel, "Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house."
A ministry can be supported either by donations or by providing goods and services for pay. So why was Jesus concerned about the buying and selling in the temple. It seems to me that the temple was the facility used to share the gospel. What Jesus witnessed was profiteers who set up business at the temple selling the required sacrifices probably at highly inflated prices.
At that time the actual temple was to be supported by the tithes and temple tax. The merchants were in essence private business people using the church's rules to make extraordinary profits. It reminds me of going to a ball game and the only places that sell food are the vendors inside. The food is always much more expensive there because they have a captive audience. These merchants were using the same philosophy to get wealthy.
I believe there were probably two things Jesus was trying to communicate. First, the purpose of the church is to be a "House of prayer" not a place to conduct business. Secondly, he condemned these merchants as a "den of robbers." I believe the fact that they leveraged the authority of the church to make extra profit angered the Lord.
The question I would like to better understand is, if we have a job with a church or a ministry, and we are trying to carry out the mission of furthering the gospel of Jesus, is there a point where our charges for products and services have inappropriately leveraged God's Word for personal gain? If so, at what point have we crossed the line?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Hopes and Dreams for Integrity Resource Center
Imagine over 100,000 business leaders committed to doing their work God's way. If each Christian would do their work with courageous faith, have the highest of ethical standards, generous with their time, talent, and treasure, free of the bondage of debt, and were known for their excellence it would be remarkable the transformation that would happen in their lives, their workplaces, and in our communities. This is the dream I have for Integrity Resource Center.
If you desire to be one of those committed leaders I would challenge you to visit our website at ww.integrityresource.org and click on "Make the Covenant." Please review the covenant and if you feel led please sign, forward to us, and we will return a signed covenant suitable for framing.
We desire, at IRC, to provide you resources, counsel, and training to live out the terms of this covenant, and more importantly God's principles. Let us know how we can best serve you.
If you desire to be one of those committed leaders I would challenge you to visit our website at ww.integrityresource.org and click on "Make the Covenant." Please review the covenant and if you feel led please sign, forward to us, and we will return a signed covenant suitable for framing.
We desire, at IRC, to provide you resources, counsel, and training to live out the terms of this covenant, and more importantly God's principles. Let us know how we can best serve you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
