The Other Thing

In my last post I mentioned politics as one of the things I avoid much like an alcoholic avoids alcohol. I know that many of you probably left wondering, "What is that other thing?" Finance, and the world in which it resides. Let me clarify with a story.

I knew what I wanted to be about the time I turned 11. I did not know like some other kids my age, who were thinking about being a fireman or an astronaut. I had a carefully laid out plan that all began with me driving My Dream Car. I saw it, and I knew I wanted one, and so I asked my parents what kind of job was necessary to buy a car like that. I soon realized that the job did not matter so much as the money, so my calling in life became to make enough money to buy my dream car. Strangely enough I do make enough money to buy that car now... but getting it 22 years used was not my original idea!

I know that God tells everyone that they cannot serve both Him and Money, but I think it goes a little deeper for me. There is just something about amassing wealth that can take control of my mind if I am not careful. Back in Business School we "had" to read the Wall Street Journal every day and would be tested on it in different classes. I cannot think of many school requirements that were easier for me to do. I love the whole process of investing and earning and risking great sums to make even greater sums. Even now I have to pull myself back from the Abyss as my mind flows into that world.

That is the world God called me out of when He called me "into the ministry". I was 13, headed on my way to do what I needed to make money and God started asking me a series of questions. It went sort of like this:

Me: "I want that car. I need money to get it. Let's go make some money!"

God: "Just how long do you think that car will last? How long will it make you happy?"

Me: "Until I can afford the next one? I don't know I figure it will die eventually... but I can get another one."

God: "And what about when your time on this world is over... what happens to the car then; to all the cars even?"

Me: "Well, I suppose they will end to. From what I read in your Word not much of this world is going to last."

God: "So, if you were going to spend your life earning something that lasts; investing in something that is going to be worth something for the long-run... what would that be?"

Me: "The only thing I can think of is... souls. And, that means People."

You may think such an internal conversation is strange for a 13-year old... and perhaps it is, though I get the feeling most teenagers have deeper thoughts than we realize. But, that was the beginning of the change for the focus of my life. After I decided to invest in People rather than Money I had to face the decision between Ministry and Politics... which we have already covered.

I think all of us have vision thiefs that enter our lives at some point. These are not the Evil things that tempt us to betray God; they are the good things that keep us from seeing God's best. I have friends who spend a lot of time in the world of Finance and Politics, and are following God's call for their life doing so. But, these are not my calling, and they ARE my weakness, so I do my best to keep them in check.