Character Is Careful

Character is careful to prayerfully plan and prepare before it expands its enterprise. There is a determined due diligence that protects the person of character from making inaccurate assumptions. He or she prudently grows the business or ministry in alignment with the financial and human resource capacity of the organization. They pay as they go.

Financial discipline may be painful for a time but it bears bountiful fruit in the future. By all means, stay accountable to grow in accordance to what you can afford. Credit can cause you to reach a level of growth before your leadership or the company’s support systems are ready. It’s much better to expand from current cash flow than risky debt.

Organizations and individuals built on the solid foundation of Christ and His game plan survive and thrive. Jesus described it well “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

So, character is careful to do its homework first before it makes financial commitments. You are patient to gather the facts, involve all parties affected and then seek God’s wisdom while you trust Him with the process. You will lose opportunities when you are careful, but there will be others to take its place. Indeed, wait for God’s best by faith.

What you lose you gain in lessons learned and a stronger faith. Character is careful as prudent preparation prepares the way. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps” (Matthew 25:3-4 NASB). Am I careful to grow my business or ministry at a sustainable pace?

Related Readings: Proverbs 1:4; 8:5,12; 2 Corinthians 1:12-17; Hebrews 11:40

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?