Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I know quite a few people who are under the impression that it is wrong to want to be successful and earn a decent income. They even have the ability to do this with little effort, and quit the harder work they are currently doing, but refuse to do so. They say that they don’t need to be successful as their treasure is in Heaven. I have to strongly disagree.
Yes, my true treasure is in Heaven but while I am here on earth, I strive to be successful. I am also convinced that God wants me to strive to be successful. He says it clearly in the scripture for the day. God has plans for us and His plans are perfect. I don’t, for a second, believe that God would plan for us to live in poverty. Instead, He plans to prosper each of us and not harm us. If He plans to give us hope and a future, it can’t be to live struggling from day to day.
Striving to be successful and make a decent living (completely different than being obsessed with money) serves multiple purposes as far as I’m concerned. The first would benefit my home church because the more money I make, the larger my tithe check is each week. The second would benefit my family and friends as I could do more to secure my children’s future and help in the community. I can think of so many more but I think you get the point.
So to those who believe we should be satisfied with where we are financially because it is a sin to want more, I say work hard and be successful. Allow the Lord to work His plan in your life no matter what it might be. It might just surprise you to see the changes that can come out of a simple change in attitude.
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