Rick Warren: Distracted

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

“Servants think about their work, not what others are doing. They don’t compare, criticize, or compete with other servants or ministries. They’re too busy doing the work God has given them. Competition between God’s servants is illogical for many reasons: We’re all on the same team; our goal is to make God look good, not ourselves. . . There’s no place for petty jealousy between servants. When you’re busy serving, you don’t have time to be critical. Any time spent criticizing others is time that could be spent ministering. When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping with the work, she lost her servant’s heart. Real servants don’t complain of unfairness, don’t have pity-parties, and don’t resent those not serving. They just trust God and keep serving. It is not our job to evaluate the Master’s other servants. . . It is also not our job to defend ourselves against criticism. Let the Master handle it.”

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am Here For?” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 268-269.

Today we learn the third of five new attitudes of kingdom builders: “Servants think about their work, not what others are doing.” Like Mary at the feet of Jesus, nothing distracts us. Yet, most of us, like Martha, are distracted.

In addition, we compare, complain, criticize, and compete. This leads us to rationalize our disobedience. Rather than obey Jesus and keep undistracted focus on Him, we just try to do better than those around us and think we have done our part.

That’s not what Jesus wants. What if each of us focused on doing the work God has given us? What if we aimed at making God look good, not ourselves? What if we stopped comparing and walked in radical obedience?

God, this journey is challenging me to do more than take a step or two toward you. It’s calling me to change how I think and act altogether and what I live for and give myself to. Help me live with undistracted focus on you. Amen.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

“Servants think like stewards, not owners. Servants remember that God owns it all. . . To become a real servant you are going to have to settle the issue of money in your life. Jesus said, “No servant can serve two masters. . . You cannot serve both God and money.” He didn’t say, “You should not,” but “You cannot.” It is impossible. Living for ministry and living for money are mutually exclusive goals. . . Money has the greatest potential to replace God in your life. . . [There are] two kinds of people: Kingdom builders and wealth builders. Both are gifted at making a business grow, making deals or sales, and making a profit. Wealth builders continue to amass wealth for themselves no matter how much they make, but kingdom builders change the rules of the game. They still try to make as much money as they can, but they do it in order to give it away. They use the wealth to fund God’s church and its mission in the world.”

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am Here For?” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 266-268.

Yesterday we learned the first of five attitudes in the kingdom builder mindset: Servants think more about others than about themselves. And saw how Jesus modeled this attitude for us.

Today we learn the second of five attitudes: Servants think like stewards, not owners. Notice the recurring verb here: think. Yesterday we learned that we need to think more about others than ourselves.

Our thinking guides our actions. Our strategies determine our results. Here we learn to think like stewards, not owners. That means we have a Master to please. He’s watching us. Someday we have to give a full report.

In the world, most people “think” more about themselves than others, and they “think” they own the things they possess. Some say, I will take care of my family first and then I will focus on the kingdom. Such people are slaves to money.

We should put God and His priorities first, and the rest will be added to us because God will take care of our families better than we could do it ourselves. The Master does not force us to serve Him instead of money. He invites us to. The choice is ours.

God, forgive me for thinking about myself and my family first and for thinking like an owner. Set me free from slavery to money, so I taste the joy of serving others with You as a Kingdom builder. As your steward, I trust you to care for me and my family. Amen.

“And whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:27-28

“We serve God by serving others. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you’ve arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world’s idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it… Service starts in your mind. To be a servant requires a mental shift, a change in your attitudes… Real servants serve God with a mindset of five attitudes. Servants think more about others than about themselves. Servants focus on others, not themselves. Real servants don’t try to use God for their purposes. They let God use them for His purposes.”

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am Here For?” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 257, 265, 266.

We started this exploration learning the importance of pursuing meaning over money and richness rather than riches. Then yesterday we learned that using our ability to build wealth for ourselves is foolish.

God wants us to use our ability to build wealth to make a living and to minister with Him in the world. But what does it look like, practically speaking, to build God’s kingdom instead of our own?

Today we find the answer or at least the first part of it. We serve God by serving others following the example of Jesus. Warren suggests that serving others requires a mindset change with five attitudes.

We will explore the five attitudes over the next five days.

The first one is this: Servants think more about others than about themselves. Warren adds that servants focus on others, not themselves. The operative word here is focus. Notice the focus of Jesus our role model. He served to the point of sacrifice.

He gave His life for us. He fulfilled God’s purpose for Him. And He wants us to do the same thing. Regardless of our role or vocation, we can do this through selfless service to others.

And when we do this, God takes care of us like He took care of Jesus.

God, help me have this attitude and focus. By your Holy Spirit, help me follow the example of Jesus and give my life to serving others. Use me for Your purposes and Your glory. Amen.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18

“God gives some people the ability to make a lot of money. Moses told the Israelites, “Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” People with this ability are good at building a business, making deals or sales, and reaping a profit. If you have this business ability, you should be using it for God’s glory. How? First, realize your ability came from God and give him the credit. Second, use your business to serve a need of others and to share your faith with unbelievers. Third, return at least a tithe (10 percent) of the profit to God as an act of worship. Finally, make your goal to be a Kingdom Builder rather than just a Wealth Builder… Your abilities were not given just to
make a living; God gave them to you for your ministry… We serve God by serving others.”

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am Here For?” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 243, 244, 257.

Regardless of your occupation, you produce abundance when you use your ability.

Bakers make cookies, cakes, and more. Tailors turn fabric into articles of clothing. Plumbers cause fluids to flow where they need to go. Chefs turn available ingredients into a delicious meal. You get the idea.

The use of your ability makes a contribution or provides a service and supplies you with compensation.

For most people, the compensation is enough to cover expenses related to living, giving, serving, and loving others like Jesus. For some, the money is far more than they need.

Sadly, the temptation for people with the ability to make a lot of wealth is not to remember that God gave them that ability. Their tendency is to forget God.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 illustrates this. He used his ability and produced an abundant crop. But then, instead of enjoying and sharing it, he chose to keep the wealth for himself and quit using his ability. This decision hastened his demise.

This explains why Warren exhorts people who have the ability to make a lot of money not to be wealth builders but rather kingdom builders. Why? God gave us our abilities to make a living and to minister with Him in the world.

God, thank you for giving me the ability to produce wealth. By your Holy Spirit, guide me in using that ability not to build wealth but to build your kingdom so I make a living and have a ministry with you in the world. Amen.

A simple life in the fear of God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. Proverbs 15:16

“We have all heard people say, “I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I can quit and do what I love to do.” That’s a big mistake. Don’t waste your life in a job that doesn’t express your heart. Remember, the greatest things in life are not things. Meaning is far more important than money. The richest man in the world once said, “A simple life in the fear of God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.” Don’t settle for just achieving “the good life,” because the good life is not good enough. Ultimately it doesn’t satisfy. You can have a lot to live on and still have nothing to live for. Aim instead for “the better life” — serving God in a way that expresses your heart. Figure out what you love to do — what God gave you a heart to do — and then do it for His glory.”

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am Here For?” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 239.

Today’s post is the first in a series from this modern day classic book.

Warren echoes Solomon in telling us what is needful. Pursue meaning over money. This takes shape as a simple life in the fear of God. It’s the better life than anything the world offers.

The key for workers ranging from interns to CEOs is to aim not for riches but for richness.

Do what you love to do – what God gave you a heart to do — and do it in the fear of God. What does “fear of God” mean? It means living and working in a way that shows respect for God’s Word and follows God’s ways.

The Word teaches us that God made us to work, that work is a form of worship, and a way we can bless others.

But when we work for money, we show we are slaves to money. Alternatively, when we work for meaning and richness – when we do what God made us to do and do it with all our heart – we grasp this better life and we bring God glory.

Everything hinges on priorities. Ironically, when we pursue meaning, God often blesses us with money to enjoy and share.

God, show me what needs to change in my life to pursue richness – the better life that satisfies – over riches. Teach me to do what You made me to do with my whole heart for Your glory. Hear my prayer in Jesus name. Amen.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

“Some give this as the reason why Adam did not see his nakedness, they think that he had so much converse with God and with things above sense, that he did not so much mind or think of what nakedness was. Whether that were so or not I will not say, but this I say, and am certain of, the reason why we are so troubled with our nakedness, with any wants that we have, is because we converse so little with God, so little with spiritual things; conversing with spiritual things would lift us above the things of the world.

Those who are bitten or struck by a snake, it is because they tread on the ground; if they could be lifted up above the earth they need never fear being stung by the snakes which are crawling underneath. So I may compare the sinful distemper of murmuring, and the temptations and evils that come from that, to snakes that crawl up and down below; but if we could get higher we should not be stung by them. A heavenly conversation is the way to contentment.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 134.

Today marks the seventh and final post from this classic work for now. I hope you appreciate his graphic illustrations. They help make good points like the three he makes today.

First, his point that we are so troubled by our needs and nakedness because we converse so little with God. Ponder that. The one who talks with God is free of worry, fear, and discontentment.

Second, when our focus is on earth, we will be bitten by snakes. This brings into view the worldliness and deceitfulness of wealth that prevails on this earth.

Third, a heavenly conversation, or spending time interacting in relationship with God through reading His Word and prayer, marks the pathway to contentment.

There’s our application. Want to grow in contentment and generosity? Spend time conversing with God.

But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank; and Moses was angry with them. Exodus 16:20

“Concerning manna, ‘When the people were contented with the allowance that God allowed them, then it was very good, but when they would not be content with God’s allowance, but would gather more than God would have them, then, says the text, there were worms in it.’ So when we are content with our conditions, and what God disposes of us to be in, there is a blessing in it, then it is sweet to us, but if we must needs have more, and keep it longer than God would have us to have it, then there will be worms in it and it will be no good at all.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 97.

When we are not content with our conditions, it breeds worms. When we are content with our conditions, our response is worship to the God who provides everything like manna.

I did not realize the power of contentment until my study this week. It can shape the trajectory of our lives and future. And without it, there’s no generosity.

God cares not what we give but what we hold back and what it says about our discontented hearts. Containers hold back. Conduits let everything flow.

Without contentment, we don’t serve as conduits but as containers. Notice the outcome. It’s tragic! we ruin the provision in the containers because it turns to worms.

But content conduits let the provision flow and this posture is our act of worship to the God who supplies everything for us to enjoy and share.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5

“You will say, ‘What burden is there in a prosperous condition?’ Answer. Yes, there is certainly a great burden, and it needs great strength to bear it. Just as men need strong brains to bear strong wine, so they need strong spirits to bear prosperous conditions, and not to do themselves hurt. Many men and women look at the shine and glitter of prosperity, but they little think of the burden. There is a fourfold burden in a prosperous condition.

1. There is a burden of trouble…

The consideration of the trouble that is in a prosperous condition, I have many times thought of, and I cannot think of anything better to compare it with than to travelling in some open country, where round about is very fair and sandy ground, and you see a town a great way off in a valley and you thin, Oh how well situated that town is; but when you come and ride into the town, you ride through a dirty lane and through a lot of fearfully dirty holes. You could not see the dirty lane and holes when you were two or three miles off. In the same way, sometimes we look upon the prosperity of men and think, this man lives well and comfortably, but if we only knew what troubles he has in his family, in his possessions, in his dealings with men, we would not think his position so happy…

2. There is a burden of danger in it…

Honey, we know, invites bees and wasps to it, and the sweet of prosperity invites the Devil and temptation. Men in a prosperous position are subject to many temptations that other men are not subject to. The Scripture calls the Devil Beelzebub, that is, the God of flies, and so Beelzebub comes where the honey of prosperity is. Yes, they are in very great danger of temptations who are in a prosperous condition. The dangers that men in a prosperous position have more than others should be considered by those who are lower. Think to yourself: though they are above me, yet they are in more
danger than I am…

3. In a prosperous condition there is the burden of duty.

You look only at the sweetness and comfort, the honor and respect that they have who are in a prosperous position, but you must consider the duty that they owe to God. God requires more duty at their hands than at yours. You are ready to be discontented because you have not got such gifts and abilities as others have, but God requires more duty of those who have greater wealth than of you who have not such wealth. Oh, you would fain have the honor, but can you carry the burden of the duty?

4. The last is the burden of account in a prosperous condition.

Those who enjoy great wealth and a prosperous condition have a great account to give to God. We are all stewards, and one is a steward to a meaner man, perhaps but to an ordinary knight, another is a steward to a nobleman, an earl-now the steward of the meaner man has not so much as the other under his hand, and shall he be discontented because of this? No, he thinks, I have less, and I will have to give the less account. So your account, in comparison of the minister’s and magistrate’s, will be nothing: you are to give an account of your own souls and so are they, you are to give an account for your own family and so are they, but you will not have to give account for congregations, and for towns, and cities and countries.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 61-63.

Today’s a long post so I will make my comments short.

People wear themselves out trying to get rich or remain rich do well to understand these burdens associated with wealth.

Ponder how generosity serves as a pathway for navigating trouble, avoiding danger, doing your duty and preparing to give an account. It offers matchless benefits!

You can’t get into trouble if you give the money to God.

You avoid the flies and other dangers if the money is stored in heaven.

You do your duty by acting as a responsible and faithful steward.

And it prepares you to give an account for your stewardship to God.

Which one stands out to you – trouble, danger, duty, or account – as something to be sure to warn your children or grandchildren or anyone with whom you have influence?

But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

“As it is with a vessel that is full of liquor, if you strike it, it will make no great noise, but if it is empty then it makes a great noise; so it is with the heart, a heart that is full of grace and goodness within will bear a great many strokes, and never make any noise, but if an empty heart is struck it will make a noise.

When some men and women are complaining so much, and always whining, it is a sign that there is an emptiness in their hearts. If their hearts were filled with grace they would not make such a noise… So a gracious heart, having the Spirit of God within him, and his heart filled with grace has that within him that makes him find contentment.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 45.

Don’t miss the illustration about the liquor bottle.

If our hearts are full, we can minister to others. When we have an abundance of grace and goodness, we can lavish it on those around us. And we don’t complain because we have everything we need in Christ.

Are you an empty liquor bottle or a full one?

If you are an empty one, notice God’s posture toward you. He opposes the proud. He will not fill the ones who think they can navigate life on their own. Wealthy people tend to struggle with pride.

What should you do? Ask God for more grace and grow in generosity.

Admit to God that contentment is a hard thing to grasp. Ask Him to pour grace on you in abundance and fill your heart with His goodness, the biblical synonym for generosity.

And while these are my words, I think Burroughs might conclude saying this.

“Empty liquor bottles get tossed in the rubbish bin. Keep your bottle full. In Christ you find contentment. You’ll have all you need to enjoy and share!”

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:6-9

“It may be said of one who is contented in a Christian way that he is the most contented man in the world, and yet the most unsatisfied man in the world; these two together must needs be mysterious. I say, a contented man, just as he is the most contented, so he is the most unsatisfied man in the world.

You never learned the mystery of contentment unless it may be said of you that, just as you are the most contented man, so you are also the most unsatisfied man in the world. You will say, ‘How is that?’ A man who has learned the art of contentment is the most contented with any low condition that he has in the world, and yet he cannot be satisfied with the enjoyment of all the world.

He is contented if he has but a crust, but bread and water, that is, if God disposes of him, for the things of the world, to have but bread and water for his present condition, he can be satisfied with God’s disposal in that; yet if God should give unto him Kingdoms and Empires, all the world to rule, if he should give it him for his portion, he would not be satisfied with that.

Here is the mystery of it: though his heart is so enlarged that the enjoyment of all the world and ten thousand worlds cannot satisfy him for his portion; yet he has a heart quieted under God’s disposal, if he gives him but bread and water. To join these two together must needs be a great art and mystery.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 23-24.

People who try to pursue godliness without contentment do not gain, they lose. They try to get rich, and in so doing, choose a path that leads to all manner of troubles.

It is needful to grasp this mystery. Godliness with contentment is great gain. The one who is content with Christ has everything he or she needs to navigate life.

Simultaneously, nothing on this earth can satisfy a person. This reminds me of a previous meditation from C.S. Lewis in his classic work, Mere Christianity.

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” Do you see it? That’s why nothing in this world can satisfy us.

We were made for heaven. Though some try to find satisfaction with the enjoyment of the world, the famous Rolling Stones song suggests otherwise: “I can’t get no satisfaction.”

Today’s Scripture provides the answer. Aiming at getting rich will only leave a person unsatisfied. Alternatively, aiming at godliness with contentment marks the way to life.

Such people use money in ways that bless others because they know they cannot take it with them when they die, but they can send it ahead to heaven through giving.

What about you? Are you content but never satisfied? Once you get to this place, generosity comes into view as your purpose and the reason God has placed you on this planet.