MoneyWalk 442: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy

This program will help you undo financial bondage.

The word “slothfulness” is normally used as a synonym for “laziness” however it was used to translate original biblical thought that was in some instances aimed at “busyness doing things that should not be a person’s priority.” Though present language does not use the word in this manner, it is an important distinction to note because it helps us know that laziness is not the only enemy of productivity. Failure to maintain godly priorities in what you do is also an enemy of productivity because it does not profit you to gain the world, yet lose your soul!

The command to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy is the Lord’s guidance to help us overcome these enemies so that we can mature spiritually and be truly blessed on earth including in the financial arena of our lives. He does not want you to be lazy but hard working so that you can have consistent productive cycles in your life. With this in mind He exhorts you and encourages you to labor using your mind and hands in order to provide that which is good so you and others may be blessed by your productivity. He recognizes that the command to labor could develop in you a tendency to always be at work doing something believing that your worth is based on what you do, who you become, or how much you earn in this life. Thus, He also exhorts you to remember the Sabbath which means to spend time worshipping Him instead of engaging in the other work to which you are employed the remainder of the week.

This focuses you on rest from normal labors where you take time to develop a more intimate relationship with Him and on helping you understanding His will better and better so that during the remainder of the week you are not spending time doing things that are not His priority for your life. Most people think that continual busyness working at their trade is the key to success and it has moved society away from spending time with the Lord resting in His presence. We tend to think that if we start a business it must be open seven days a week or else it will fail and we think that there are so many things to do at home that we must spend every evening and the entire weekend trying to complete our “To Do List.”

Yet, biblical principles let us know that we can be successful working less than seven days per week and that we will be refreshed and have correct and renewed vision and energy as we take appropriate time each week to worship the Lord and rest our bodies and minds. There’s a entrepreneur who has operated a fast food restaurant chain for four decades who does not open his stores on Sundays so that he can honor the Lord and both he and his employees can rest from their normal labors, spend time with family, and hopefully choose to fellowship with other believers in order to mature spiritually so they can continue doing good on earth. Despite advice that he could not prosper unless his stores were open every day to compete against other fast food chains, he has become a multi-billionaire and his business has allowed many others to become multi-millionaires or take great care of themselves and their families. He operates over 1700 stores and 80,000 employees and his restaurants have by far the lowest rate of employee attrition (people leaving his employ) than any other fast food chain and most other businesses. In addition,

There are many more real life stories of businesses and individuals who have experienced great success while keeping the Sabbath. The Sabbath principle benefits you as much no matter whether you’re an entrepreneur or employee. This weekly time of rest with the Lord will help:

1. Invigorate you mentally and physically
2. Give you renewed focus
3. Produce as much mental and physical health as is possible for you
4. Re-energize you to engage in required activities in the most productive manner
5. Produce good family and friend relationships
6. Engage you in priorities that please the Lord and help you do good deeds that benefit you and other people.

Constant busyness places and keeps you in bondage whereas observing the Sabbath through weekly rest and focus eliminates bondage by providing the mechanism for freedom that you need to truly be fulfilled and prosperous in this life and prepared for eternity.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
Exodus 20:8, Isaiah 56:6, Matthew 12:12, Mark 2:27
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