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Consider Your Ways

December 26, 2005

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Dear Friends

As Tom sat down for lunch at his first Bible school, he introduced himself to his neighbor, Len, who happened to be one of the week’s chosen speakers. As they chatted Tom became very interested in Len’s daily activities. Len owned a small business similar to Tom although Tom’s business was considerably larger.

“How are you able to run your own business and still find time to prepare classes like the one you are presenting this week?” inquired Tom. “I find my business life leaves little time for personal Bible study much less preparing an entire Bible school class.”

Len went on to relay to Tom his daily routine. He started each day with some prayer time and the daily Bible readings. He then spent only about 4 hours at the office. Each day, he met his wife for lunch and spent some quality time with her. After lunch he took care of ecclesial affairs, did preparation for classes or some other Bible related activity. When his children arrived home, he spend a few hours talking with them, helping them with homework, talking about the Bible or simply goofing around with them. Most evenings he was involved in some form of a Bible class or outreach depending on the day of the week.

Not finding much in common with Len’s lifestyle, Tom switched topics to inquire about Len’s business. “What are the sales?” “What are your margins?” From Len’s answers, Tom was quick to perceive that Len’s lack of commitment to his business was keeping his business small and hampering his profits.

Tom said “Len, you seem like a really nice guy. Let me do you a favor. I started with a small business like yours. It took a lot of work, but we are now one of the leaders in the industry. If you can work a full day, in a year or so, you can open another branch office. After a couple of years, you can have several branches. Before long, if you follow my plan, you can be one of the top players in your field. It won’t be easy, but if you work hard and follow my plan, it can happen.”

Len inquired, “How long will that take?”

Tom responded “About 25 years.”

“And what happens after that?”

Tom went on “That is when you cash out. You can take the company public with a stock offering and make millions of dollars.”

“Wow. Millions of dollars? And what happens after that?”

“Think about it. Then you can do whatever you want. Have lunch with your wife everyday. Read your Bible every day. Take time to spend with your children. Take care of ecclesial affairs. Prepare and give Bible classes. Do preaching work.”

This people says, ‘The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.’ Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ‘Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?’ Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Consider your ways!’” (Haggai 1:2–5 NASB)

Have a great week!

The above story was based on an anonymous letter sent to www.advantedgemag.com