I can’t tell exactly how it happened, but something inside me shifted.
Reflecting on the past, a decade ago, the fire within me to change the world was dampened by the harsh reality of struggling to think clearly with a hungry stomach. The weight of unmet physiological needs overshadowed my aspirations, making it hard to maintain the same fervor.
After graduating from college, I thought adults who knew better could help me figure out what’s next. But they were as clueless as I was, their heads filled with the same questions I did, especially on how to move forward amidst a competitive market and ever-increasing inflation. Some were too busy to care or didn’t have the right connections to bridge the gap.
It felt like I was wading in the water. No, I was wading in the mud, trying to pull out one leg after another. I needed saving.
I don’t know how other people would face the same situation, but because I was raised a Christian, I learned how to stretch my hand in prayer to the infinite and ever-present God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
After one opportunity opened, another, and another, the momentum kept building. Although there were occasional droughts, the Lord supplied my every need, keeping me off begging in the streets. The water did not run dry.
Now that I understand how to make money almost a decade later (still clueless about what to do or where to go next in life), I am in a phase where I want to know how to make more money.
Money.
Money.
Money.
More money.
Changing a part of my world seems to now depend on how much money (or comfort) I can get from doing so. But is seeking for comfort a bad thing? Don’t we want to live a comfortable life where we can enjoy a good life?
And here’s where I stopped myself, reminding myself not to trust wealth. Chasing money and loving money as an end and not simply a means to do good for others is an empty pursuit.
From Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (AMP):
The Folly of Riches
10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its gain. This too is vanity (emptiness). 11 When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what advantage is there to their owners except to see them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a working man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach (greed) of the rich [who hungers for even more] will not let him sleep.
13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being kept and hoarded by their owner to his own misery. 14 For when those riches are lost in bad investments and he becomes the father of a son, then there is nothing in his hand [for the support of the child]. 15 As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came; and he will take away nothing from all his labor that he can carry in his hand. [Job 1:21; 1 Tim 6:7] 16 This also is a grievous evil—exactly as he was born, so he shall die. So what advantage has he who labors for the wind? [1 Tim 6:6] 17 All of his life he also eats in darkness [cheerlessly, without sweetness and light], with great frustration, sickness, and anger.
18 Behold, here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] reward. [1 Tim 6:17] 19 Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God [to him]. 20 For he will not often consider the [troubled] days of his life, because God keeps him occupied and focused on the joy of his heart [and the tranquility of God indwells him].
I also need to change how I imagine a good life. A good life isn’t just about enjoying all the good things for ourselves, but rather, a good life is shared and enjoyed with others. In this way, other people will be blessed through our abundance and generosity and will glorify the Lord.
From 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 AMP:
6 Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. 7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. [Prov 22:9] 8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 9 As it is written and forever remains written,
“He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever!” [Ps 112:9]
10 Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. [Is 55:10; Hos 10:12] 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. 12 For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 13 Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], 14 and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you. 15 Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!
jessa 