"Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward."
(Proverbs 12:9-14 NIV)
During this pandemic, let us use our extra time to study fundamental principles of faith, in the area of business and career, from the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible recorded many principles for success; one of them was written by King Salomon.
Proverb 12:9 (NIV)
Do not go with the tide; but practice Godly principles and prioritize choices in the order of Necessities, Conveniences, then Luxuries. Many people struggle financially as a result of wrong priorities: sacrificing necessities for the sake of luxuries. Let us properly prioritize and resolutely practice it in order to experience acceleration in our business.
Proverb 12:10 (NIV)
Notice how we treat our neighbours. The wicked treat their neighbours nothing better than the righteous treat their animals. Do not treat our neighbours wickedly but righteously, by complying to the high standard of love: love people not things. Learn to make use of things for the sake of other people, not the other way around. Love and honour our neighbours as ourselves.
Proverb 12:11 (NIV)
Stop meddling in other’s business and continue working our land – developing our talents – and our needs will be met. This is God’s promise. Our life calling is to work productively and fruitfully. Do anything that our hands find to do; stop being prideful and stop making excuses. Get busy and commit yourselves in useful matters; be neither sluggish nor idle.
Proverbs 12:12 (NIV)
Be rooted in righteousness. The righteous will not justify any means to reach their dreams. Meanwhile, the wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers: they orient themselves on the end-result and justify any means necessary. Their orientation is not on God or people, but on themselves and their money. Become like the righteous who submit to God’s process in order to succeed. Several times the righteous fall, but rise up again. Even though we’re currently buried deep underground, our sturdy root in righteousness will prompt our faith upward to receive the coming restoration. Aim for ongoing loyalty, rather than a one-off transaction.
Proverb 12:13-14 (NIV)
Do not curse God. During times of afflictions, if we want to accelerate, let us beware of whatever comes out of our tongue and mouth. This is a matter of life and death. Whatever hardships that you suffer, mind your words. Do not utter negative words, swearing, or hatred speeches; because your sentences bear consequences. Learn to praise God and practice kindness, then we will reap with songs of joy.
Excerpted from Ps. Philip Mantofa’s sermon, 05 July 2020, Sunday Service, GMS Surabaya Barat
https://youtu.be/Ex3s_8ySNnE
Be rooted in righteousness. The righteous will not justify any means to reach their dreams.
