May Financial Focus: Stay Focused

05.01.09 | Stewardship

    How do we stay on our feet, moving forward, as the economic fire comes hot and heavy?

    How do we stay on our feet, moving forward, as the economic fire comes hot and heavy?

    Stay focused on your calling: What has God called us to do and to be? Renew your dedication to that calling every day. Don't let present challenges eclipse your eternal focus, or your determination to stay faithful. Keep your eyes on the Lord and step out with confidence in Him and His promises.

    Stay grateful: Don't focus on what you don't have, or what you used to have, or what you would like to have, or what others have. Focus on all that God has provided. Even in difficult times we have so much for which to be grateful. Keep your focus there.

    Stay compassionate: Find ways to help others who need help. Following Jesus' model, "Each of us should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4). It's good for them and good for us, and it honors the Lord.

    Stay disciplined: Be willing to work hard and remain steady. Jesus never promised ease and comfort but a road that is "straight and narrow," something the Apostle Paul understood well. "Endure hardship with us," he said to Timothy, "like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:3). Hebrews 11 was given to us as a salutary reminder of what this sort of faithfulness often requires.

    Despite the challenges before us, we must remain on our feet, moving forward For Christ and His Kingdom. Pray that in these interesting but sometimes daunting days we will in fact be "good soldiers of Christ Jesus." - Duane Litfin, President, Wheaton College

    stewardship_cartoon_may09 - May 2009 Stewardship Cartoon