Matthew McConnaughy said about the movie Gold, “In America, we call success fame and money.” However, Katherine Kuhlman stated, “There is so much more!” She understood this ‘American mentality’ well—even her beloved father wanted money above all else.
I’ve been in over 100 business deals and bought many companies. Trying to force all the moving parts to work together often wore me out. I was successful—according to the world’s standards—but that work seemed like “hard labor” and a “consuming fire.”
Today I avoid those exhausting and limiting types of deals. I measure success by the fulfillment these opportunities bring into my life.I’ve learned the gigantic value of doing business “God’s way.” His Blessing makes us rich without adding toil, sorrow and pain (Proverbs 10:22).
In Matthew 5:3 Jesus gave a shocking definition of success: “Happy, blessed, prosperous and to be admired are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
I asked someone I trusted, “What does it mean to be ‘poor in spirit?’” They answered, “Robert, the poor in spirit are those who seek God for their answers and do not trust in their own wisdom.”
Frankly, I was never very attracted to the term “poor in spirit.” It ranked along with what John the Baptist said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”
But now, so many years later, I know that total dependence on God makes me happy and prosperous. I really believe that the only way to enjoying our living a life of surrender. For then we find God’s will and safety in the Kingdom of Heaven. There we can obtain peace, prosperity and happiness.
God’s Words are always true, even though very challenging at first. When we depend on God—seek Him first—we will find hidden riches and meet all of our difficulties with Love & Laughter. If we trust God’s Spirit, He will not fail us. However, we are sure the world’s commercial advantages will!
Meditate on this:
How risky it is to act for ourselves—not trusting God.
May the Lord keep us from making the mistake of handling every detail, making every decision—becoming ‘rich in spirit’—putting ourselves at risk of ‘gaining the world’s glitter and losing our soul.’
Love & Laughter,
Rob