Wanting to Be Liked

An obstacle in many people's decision-making processes, whether they realize it or not, is the desire to be liked. It really can be a driving force behind what a person ultimately chooses for all sorts of decisions, big and small.

The problem with this is it can cause bad, or not the wisest, choices to be made. For instance, a person asks you do something, like go to a movie with them, but you really feel that you should rest because you're feeling sick or too tired from the week. But ultimately, you decide to go because saying "no" may cause that person to be displeased. Not all people understand the need for rest might trump hanging out. But of course the healthier and better option is to say "no" in a case like this.

One way to help make better choices is to, instead of asking "What will this person think of me if I make certain choices?" ask "What is the best for me and all involved?" In the case above, saying "no" is the best overall. It'll help you feel better, and may help the relationship or the other person too. If you rest, you'll have more energy to spend quality time later with that person. If the person is offended by the "no," then it's good you said "no" because it shows indications on how to proceed in the future (like how real the friendship is—if it's only that person caring for oneself then it isn't much of a friendship).

If you ask more "What is the best for me and all involved?" when making a decision, it may more likely cause good people to truly like you compared to if you were to always ask "What will this person think of me if I make certain choices?" Truly good people most likely will respect and appreciate those who are aiming for good. You may get more resistance and questions when making decisions based on what's good for all involved—sometimes people don't see it as "good" and may disagree—but it's worth it.

The Bible tells us to do things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), and God desires the good of his people and for his people to help others. So this falls in line with what God wants for us too. He doesn't want us to focus on worrying about the self too much (Matthew 6:25-34). "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33)

Realistic Expectations in Ministry

Often the church needs to have a reality check about its goals. It is easy to hope for and dream of more from our work than what happens.

The church often looks to accomplish great things. While the dream of accomplishing great things is beautiful often the reality of what is possible to accomplish at times may be more mundane.

Often making small and steady progress is realistic. Often it is easy to feel as if small and steady progress is not enough.

Often small and steady progress accomplishes far more than dreams of grandeur. All progress brings glory to God.

It is often our sin which makes us feel that slow and steady progress is insufficient. Often authentic ministry brings glory to God, but does not stroke the pride of the minister by bringing praise and acclaim.

The goal of a minister should always be to bring glory to God. Ministry is successful or unsuccessful on this measure alone.

The Goodness of The World

The material world is inherently good. The fall of man and man's sinful nature do not change the fact that the material world is good.

Of course the material world was subjected to futility in the fall. It is a world under a curse, but it is still fundamentally good and declares the power and glory of God.

Many people wish to suggest that things are inherently bad. Material abundance is inherently good. Of course it is our choices which are good or bad.

With great blessing comes a great responsibility to seek to bless with what we are blessed. Maybe the issue of doubting the goodness of the material world comes from the bible's harsh words against many rich people in the biblical narrative.

Of course you see that it is not their wealth for which they are condemned. Job before and after his suffering had great wealth and he was the most righteous man alive.

Many theologians wish to read the story of Job differently and are foolish to do so. God clearly states there was no one as righteous as Job in his day.

To critique the errors of Job is to critique the errors of the most righteous man in his day and we should do so lightly, you see that is the point of the story how the men who critiqued Job greatly sinned.

The errors of the rich which are condemned are oppression of the poor, refusal to help those in need, reliance on wealth, and turning away from God. There are many people with wealth that are not condemned.

You see it is not wealth that is an issue. "Money is the root of all kinds of evil" is not a biblical principle. Rather it's a very poor paraphrase. Rather it is "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Many people scoff the difference is small.

It is not small at all. You see money is a tool. If we wish to use it to serve God then it is a tool for good. It is rather our attitude toward money which makes it good or bad.

Of course the fallen heart of man is what made money have a dangerous power. But it is not the money or the material things it offers that are the issue, but rather how the sinful heart sees those possibilities.

Johnathan Edwards Quote

"It is most evident by the Works of God, that his understanding and power are infinite. ... Being thus infinite in understanding and power, he must also be perfectly holy; for unholiness always argues some defect, some blindness. Where there is no darkness or delusion, there can be no unholiness. ... God being infinite in power and knowledge, he must be self-sufficient and all-sufficient; therefore it is impossible that he should be under any temptation to do any thing amiss; for he can have no end in doing it. ... So God is essentially holy, and nothing is more impossible than that God should do amiss."

A bit by Johnathan Edwards from John Piper's book
A GOD-ENTRANCED VISION OF ALL THINGS