Trade-Offs – Part 2

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

As you climb higher and accumulate more, you’ll discover that it’s harder to let go of what you’ve worked for. That’s why so many of us climb part-way up the mountain of our potential, and stop. We’re unwilling to give up what we have in order to obtain the next thing. And as a result we stall—sometimes permanently! You must be willing to make concessions, like trading:
1) What’s acceptable for what’s excellent. People don’t pay for average. They’re not impressed by anything that’s merely acceptable. If it’s worth doing, give it your best or don’t do it at all. Solomon writes, ‘Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.’
If you want to shine, you’ve got to ‘burn the midnight oil’.
2) The first half for the second half. In his book Halftime, Bob Buford says most people who are successful in the first half of their life often try to live the second half in the same way. And that’s a mistake. If you’re in the second half, you’ve probably spent much of your time paying the price for success. Don’t waste it. Move from success to significance. Do things that will live on after you are gone. Don’t just leave a will, leave a legacy.
3) Your work for God for your walk with God. No matter how much value your work has, it can’t compare to having a relationship with God. One of the great traps of ministry is working for God, but not spending enough time with Him. Make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be the best I can be – but do it for the right motive, You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen