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What is a wage? As a CPA, my response to this question would probably be comparable to what you would find in Merriam-Webster if you looked it up: “Payment, usually of money for labor or services, usually according to contract and on an hourly, daily or piecework basis.”

In Bible times, the word for “wages” referred to the daily food ration given to a Roman soldier for his service at the end of every day. It was his pay for simply doing his job. Romans 6:23 teaches, “The wages of sin is death.” Death, then, is not a physical problem, but a spiritual one. 

The good news is you can reverse spiritual death through a personal relationship with God. While many people are panicking during this pandemic, Christians have an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with God. I recently read an article by a Christian minister where she emphasized, “Intimacy is what God prioritizes. That’s why he created us – so he can express his love.” 

During these times, I find myself sometimes lacking patience and becoming easily agitated. When the pandemic first started, I remember snapping at my daughter just for asking me a simple question while I was preoccupied with another project. Ashamed with how I behaved, I retreated to my home office and started thinking about all of the stress I was feeling. 

I realized I was focusing on the wrong things. Before the pandemic, I read Proverbs 3:5-6 every morning. It inspired me and reminded me throughout the day that everything would be OK. What changed? Why had these verses become less important to me during COVID-19?

None of us really knows how long we will be dealing with COVID-19, but I encourage all of us to ask ourselves daily, “What am I doing during this pandemic to have a strong relationship with God?” If you prayed every day before the pandemic, are you still doing that? What else can you be doing to have the intimacy with God that he desires?

And if you are wondering what happened after I lost my patience with my daughter, I explained to her why I acted out and asked for forgiveness. We enjoyed a batch of chocolate chip cookies together, and I reflected on how blessed I am for my life and for God’s grace and love.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

Written by Jeff Gentry, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Buckner International.

Comments

Norda clarke says:
I really enjoy this! I love spreed the gospel! Even now when I have to stay home! How spreed the gospel from at home to reach more than just family member!

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