有效生命投資的提示

我建議作一次「生命投資的檢查」──清點各方面，以幫助自己適當地評估我們做什麼、我們如何做，以及我們為何那麼做。若想要作個檢查，看看我們是否是我們生命的好投資人，我們要檢視什麼呢？更重要的是，那位指派我們管理每天資源的上帝會看什麼呢？

首先，我建議要看看自己與上帝和別人的關係。問你自己：「我是否將耶穌基督放在我生命中的第一位？我是否每天花時間與祂在一起，求引導、智慧、能力、供應──以及當我犯罪時，求赦免？我能否誠實地展現祂是我生命中的第一位？」

我是否真的看重、愛、並順服上帝？這證據在於我如何對待我的妻子、女兒、親戚、朋友、其他信徒、顧客、供應商、還有甚至是郵差，在某些方面郵差是我最寶貴的供應商。

第二個證據可從我們的支票簿顯示出來，看看我們是把託付給我們的錢財投資並花用到哪裡。當上帝把幫助別人的機會放在我們的道路中，我是否常常尋找方法去把上帝的資金投資到祂的國度裡？我是否儲存適當的金額，以備將來我不能工作時得以支付生活費用？我是否謹慎地作財務投資決定，以便將來我能如聖經所說，留下財產給我的子孫？

第三，我必須看我的行事曆。我花多少小時工作？我認為上帝要我投資那麼多時間在那一天或那一週嗎？我是否讓上帝成為我企業的執行長，為祂的目的使用我的企業，或者我把我的職業視為我個人的資產，我用它來賺錢，然後花在我自己的慾望上？我是否每天花適當的時間，安靜與上帝在一起；與我的家人和朋友相聚；在社區中服事、幫助別人，使他們的生活更好；運動使我的身體健康、強壯，並享受一些休閒的活動？

如何投資我們生命的選擇權完全在於我們自己。我們不能把這責任推給其他任何人。當我們嚥下最後一口氣，站在上帝面前，我希望祂對我說：「做得好，你忠心又良善地投資了我賜給你的生命。進到我的天國來，在我為你預備的地方享受永恆的安息與獎賞！」

若你最近還沒有花一些時間考慮如何投資你的生命，我勸你離開辦公室，花一個早上，仔細地檢視你的生命投資決定。你可能會發現一個重新分配生命資源的方式──而且你將很高興你那麼做了。祝你快樂地作生命投資！

連恩．克拉瑪是德州達拉斯的商人，他成立一個會員制的組織「執行長協會」，幫助執行長建立符合聖經原則和價值觀的世界級公司。他的網站是www.ceoinst.com。

Let me suggest a “life-investing checkup” – an inventory of sorts to help in properly assess what we are doing, how we are doing, and why we are doing it. If we want to do a checkup and see if we are being good investors of ourlives, what will we look at? Even more important, what will God look at – the One who has appointed us stewards of the resources available to us every day?

First, let me suggest that we look at the quality of our relationships with God and other people. Ask yourself, “Am I putting Jesus Christ first in my life? Am I spending time with Him on a daily basis, asking for direction, wisdom, strength, provision – and forgiveness, when I fail? Can I honestly demonstrate He is number one in my life?”

The proof of whether I really value, love and obey Godshows in how I treat my wife and daughter, other family members, friends, fellow believers, customers, vendors, and even the mail carrier, who in some respects is my most valuable business vendor.

Second, the proof is also revealed by looking at my checkbookand seeing where I am investing and spending money entrusted to me. Am I constantly looking for ways to invest God”s capital in His Kingdom as He puts opportunities in my path to help other people? Am I also saving an appropriate amount of money to help pay future expenses at a time in my life when I can no longer work? Am I making prudent financial investment decisions to eventually have money to leave to my children”s children, as it says to do in the Bible?

Third, I have to look at my calendar. How many hours do I spend at work? Isthat the amount of time I believe God wants me to invest on a particular day or week? Am I allowing God to be the CEO of my business and use it for His purposes, or do I view my career as a personal possession I use to earn moneyto spend on my own desires? Do I spend appropriate time with God in daily quiet time; developing relationships with my family members and friends; serving others in the community to help them improve their lives; exercising to keep my body healthy and fit, and enjoying some recreational activities?

The choice of how we invest our lives is ours alone. We cannot pass that responsibility on to anyone else. When I take my last breath and stand before God,I want Him to say to me “Well done, good and faithful investor of the life I gave you. Enter into My heavenly kingdom and enjoy eternal rest and rewards in the place I have prepared for you!”

If you have not dedicated some time lately to consider how you are investing your life, I would urge you to spend a morning away from the office and do a careful review of your life investment decisions. You may discover a reallocation of life resources is in order – and you will be glad you did. Happy Life Investing!

Lane Kramer is a Dallas, Texas business who founded The CEO Institute, a membership-based organization to help CEOs build world-class companies consistent with biblical principles and values. His website is www.ceoinst.com.