Accounting News and Notes

Christian Decision Making…Taking Christianity Into the World

In this hurried life we live it is difficult to make a decision at all, with all the varied options and opportunities that exist. Bombarded with ads, commercials and others opinions it is critical that we develop a methodology to determine what is important and its short and long-term relevance to our lives. Also, we all have those “town criers” and malicious gossips in our lives who believe that everything is critical and that the “news of the day” is life threatening and needs to be addressed today. Using a filter or framework to run decisions through will help you greatly focus on the majors and let all most of those minor and truly insignificant issues remain what they are: nothing to worry about. These guidelines will be a source of strength you will want to refer to again and again:

Rate the Decision. Determining a decisions importance is the first component of prudent decision making. Rating decisions from a 1 to a 10 will do much to help you evaluate where you should focus your time and energy.

Duration. Many of life’s decisions have relative importance for a short period of time only. Thus, asking ourselves “what difference will this decision make six months from now?”  will begin to reveal the relative importance of the decision. For example, when teaching my children respect and responsibility, it frequently advantageous to teach our children as the lessons will last a lifetime. For example, whether a child has a clean room will truly not make our lives as parents substantially different, although perhaps a little bit less stressful. However, when we ask our children to clean their rooms and they fail to respond at all or in part, they are learning that giving less than there all is acceptable. As a Believer, God does not allow me or those to whom I love that freedom. Therefore, the goal or respect and responsibility will last a lifetime but the issue itself, is not significant.

Control. Perhaps no bigger issue is the one of pride which then manifests itself in all sorts of ugly ways including control. Often we “want our own way,” which is certainly normal and our initial reaction. But as Christians we are called to a higher standard and are to seek to serve the needs of others above ourselves. However, control issues often result of one seeking to have one’s own way. This is usually not an issue with the parent-child relationship as children are told to obey and honor their parents, thus control and its attendant responsibilities to lead in a Godly fashion rest with the authority figure: the parent. Control is most typically a problem that is played our poorly between adults. However opening the Bible would do much to resolve many of these issues. Whether you work in a church, an office, a student, a volunteer, a mission team member, a congregational member or a citizen, God’s word is clear we are to submit to authority. God did not way that we should submit when we wanted to, when it made sense, when we agreed, or when it was convenient, he said we should submit, whether servant or slave. Failing to do so, would only be permitted when obedience would result in us breaking either God’s word or the laws of the land. Failure to follow through at any other time is a sin, whether it be out of our stubbornness or our omission. It is a sin.

Seek after God with all of your heart and he will meet you where you are lifting you and your spirit up to the Heavens. God promises that if we seek His wisdom that he will grant it liberally and without reservation. One of the best definitions I have heard about the differences between happiness and joy is that happiness is based upon present circumstances whereas joy is a heart condition, that is ours regardless of what is going on around us. Seeking God and his will and input in our decision making, will do much to lighten our load, letting God alone lead and order our steps.

 
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

John Dillard is a Christian Speaker/Author and Certified Public Accountant (All Rights Reserved). To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ (An Atlanta CPA firm) and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s: Job’s Journey and to learn about his ministry. To contact John Dillard CPA (Atlanta Christian Author/Speaker) today call 770. 814.9304 proudly serving Duluth, GA, Gwinnett County and Beyond.

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!” What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 Why are these verses here? Learn how His CPA became a Christian Accounting firm visit http://www.hiscpa.com/christian-CPA.html

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3. Give Your Life to God While There’s Still Time…Taking Christianity Into the World
4. Christian CPA: Seeking Obedience in Our Christian Walk…Taking Christianity Into the World
5. How to Determine if Your Spouse Listening to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 at 12:51 pm and is filed under A Christian CPA/Our Faith Walk.
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