Rodent Regatta

Medieval theologians listed ”seven deadly sins.” They were pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth. Though never called out in a simple list in the Bible, these remain the kinds of things that block our way. If you’ve not achieved what you’d like in life, consider shifting what you pay closest attention to.

Contrast those ”deadly sins” with the ”fruits of the Spirit.” That list is explicitly cited in Galations 5:22-23. How different would things be if we spent more time on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control than on the seven deadly sins.

How different could your ability to earn and provide meaningful service to others be in 2004 if your focus shifts? Rather than a legalistic attempt at avoiding and condemning the wrong, focus on seeking and showing others the better alternatives of the second list. You’ll be amazed at the result.

Here’s the way the New American Standard reads:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23 New American Standard

Here’s the way The Message reads:

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Galatians 5:22, 23 The Message

The only way we earn is by exchanging our goods and services for an amount of money of equal or similar value. Are the services and goods you produce exchanged for a sum of money that meets your needs? The only way to alter that condition is to increase the value of the goods and services you provide. Serve more and you’ll earn more. Find a way to meet the needs of an increasing number of people and your earnings will rise.