What to do, what to do...

(Just a forewarning, this is a biggie, so u may want to go make some popcorn or somthing so u don't starve to death while reading.)

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ~Proverbs 16:3throatwise

My pastor has been talking about finances recently. He's covered titheing, Godly spending, saving money and avoiding debt. Seems i've already got most of those covered. He's also been talking about all the blessings that God will rain down on someone who follows these principles. Ok, blessings are always good. But i guess i'm not seeing them. Yes, God is blessing me, but its not "the desires of my heart".

My pastor's last sermon was about what to do while the blessings are on the move. God is waiting to bless me richly, but wut do i do until then?

1) Don't Gripe

Do everything without complaining or argueing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which u shine like stars in the universe. ~Phillipians 2:14-15

By not complaining and griping, u go against the norm of society. Somebody hurt you? Sue them! Gripe and complain to everyone! Rail on your boss for paying to little! Complain about how few hours you get! But we shouldn't. Once again, God calls us to be salt and light in the world.

2) Work hard

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before Kings, He will not serve before obscure men. ~Proverbs 22:29

Learn a trade. Get good at something. Learning a trade skill is not only practical, but is impressive.

Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. ~Ecclesiastes 9:10

Ah solomon, the "Eternal Optimist". However he makes a good point. God made us for work, and so, we should work.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. ~Colossians 3:23

While working for fallen men can be hard, as they have flaws, and yet somehow expect perfection, when you envision yourself working for The Lord himself, it completly changes your perspective.

3) Be Honest

The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. ~ Proverbs 11:1

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. ~Proverbs 13:11

God wants us to rely on him for blessings, not on being dishonest, or shady. When we are involved in a "get-rich-quick" scheme, we are taking our faith of of God, and placing it on money.

4) Maintain Godly Priorities

Jesus Replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. ~Matthew 22:37-40

Love God. Love Man. The rest will fall into place. Just don't lose sight of the reason behind everything while trying to serve him. It's amazing how we can lose sight of God while trying to be a better servant of him. We get so caught up in making ourselves better, we fall back into selfishness, but it's even worse because we think we're doing it for God, so it doesn't seem like there is a problem.

Even though God has promised to bless us, the main thing to remember is not to serve him just to be blessed. It's like a Job with benifits. You don't goto the just to get free fountain drinks, stylish uniforms, and health insurance. You goto work for the money. The benifits are just that, an added benefit.