Seek God First

“You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!”

Malachi 3:9

Our success or failure is solely dependent on God’s blessing. We receive God’s blessing by bringing God joy through our actions. Yet many of us betray God in our actions when it becomes difficult. And, it is our lack of faith that leads us to destruction.

Many come to me seeking advice. I am often asked, “What business should I start to prosper?” The whole basis of this question is misguided and shows a lack of faith. When I advise them that they need to act correctly concerning God’s purpose, they do not believe in the advice. Instead, they try to surmise which business has merits based on their secular perspective, their understanding from worldly experience and knowledge. What they do not realize is that there is no business that has not failed. And even the most successful types of businesses have failed. Success or failure does not depend on the business merits but the actions of that person. It is about whether that person believes and lives correctly from God’s viewpoint. Therefore, we must focus on working in a way that brings God’s blessing and not follow the direction that the knowledge of this world may dictate.

If we are given a task, what must we consider? We must first consider if that task will cause us to sin against God. If it does in any way, no matter how much benefit it may bring or help us to avoid seeming disaster, we should not do it. For example, a boss offers someone a great position, but this position requires him to work on Sunday. Because it goes against God’s commandment, he should decline even if it means losing out on a great opportunity. If we stay true to God’s purpose, God will provide us a path. This boss may admire this man’s integrity and hire him anyway because he smartly values a steadfast, committed, and reliable employee. If we do not betray our faith and seek first God’s will, God will give us a path towards greater success, no matter how wrong a decision it may seem at the time.

Let us say the boss promotes the employee to be a leader of the company. The boss again challenges the employee to work on Sunday to make the business successful. Now the employee has much more to lose. But he still must not betray his faith if he seeks God’s blessing. Instead, God will lead this employee on another path. The employee makes a plan to work extra hours during the week in a more efficient manner that leads to greater success because God blesses his efforts. Then not only does he bring joy to the Lord, but other employees see this success and try to follow suit. When you make sacrifices to keep God’s commandments, this makes God happy and will lead to His blessing and greater success.

Wherever you start – even at the lowest position, you can reach the pinnacle of success if you follow God’s direction and follow His lead step by step. Do not be foolish by acting according to your own thoughts and wisdom or any secular advice. It is a sure path to failure. Follow where God wants you to go. God blesses those who bring him joy. Ask yourself, “If I act in this way, will God bless me?” No matter how daunting it seems at the time to follow God’s lead, that decision will lead to receiving God’s blessing rather than his curse.

Summary