What if God asked you to take a pay cut?
August 24, 2010 at 8:14 am 2 comments
On a recent vacation to Ireland, I struck up a conversation one evening with a guy in a pub while out listening to some live music. Perhaps it was the Guinness that led him to tell me his story, or maybe he had kissed the blarney stone and been given the legendary gift of gab.
He shared with me that he had gone to Oxford to earn his master’s in history, but he had somehow ended up in the wheeling and dealing world of credit and banking. Here he was, traveling all over the world, buying $30K watches just because he likes watches, and paying off a new home in just a few years. As far as anyone could tell, he was doing grand (a word they use a lot in Ireland).
The truth, he confessed, is that he is quite unhappy and unsatisfied. He explained that he makes a purchase, hoping to satisfy some longing, and it always turns up empty. He sometimes wished he could work in the field in which he had studied back at Oxford. He was happy then. Maybe he could be an archaeologist. That would be lovely (another word they use a lot in Ireland). But the starting hourly-rate for an archaeologist is something like $12. [continue at highcallingblogs.com…]
Entry filed under: In this economy, Life lessons. Tags: calling, economy, perspective, provision.
1.
davidzip | August 24, 2010 at 10:43 am
M — what a great question. We often hold on so dearly to our paychecks. We have EARNED them, and will gladly bless God – as long as he keeps the dough rolling in.
I have been careful never to take a job just for the money. it sets me up for failure
David
2.
David@Red Letter believers | August 24, 2010 at 10:48 am
And when we spend all that we earn, we leave very little room for God to work in our hearts.