For years I struggled with the question of a calling.
I constantly wondered “What am I doing with my life?” and “What is it all supposed to mean?”
Sound familiar?
The question is even more puzzling to a lot of Christians who try to succeed in business. The are trying to bridge a gap, the disconnect between the Church and “The World”.
How can you make both happy? How can you be an amazing Christian, live out your faith, and yet still be successful enough to provide for your family? What’s an entrepreneur or business person to do?
And it’s hard to find good answers
Many Christian leaders I have known are more than happy to take your money, and they tell you to tithe, of course. They might even saddle up to you and ask for help with the new church they are building “for the glory of God”.
But in the same breath they will tell you to hate your wealth, that it’s something to be ashamed of and reviled.
But is it? And is tithing to an organization or building buildings the best use of your money? Is that the calling God has placed on your life or are you copping out?
Your calling is to give everything you have
Give as much and more than you can. But give to the poor, directly. Give to charities out of the abundance of your wealth.
Do you want a calling? Do you want to know how to make a difference in your two worlds and eventually merge them together? Give.
Give what you have to those in need and you will be blessed. But make sure that you give yourself, don’t let others take that privilege from you.
But God help you if you are successful
And I mean that literally and with a tongue in cheek. If you are successful in business, you will be quietly mocked by many Christians.
If you give away that hard earned money, but don’t give them any, instead using it to help the poor directly, those same Christians will try to convince you that you can’t do it on your own, that you need help.
Stay strong my friends, don’t let anyone trick you into thinking differently. You have been given much so that you can give much. But give directly to those that need it, you and they will be blessed more through it.