用腦做決定，也要用心做決定
By Jim Langley
在企業界的人士都知道，生活中充滿要做決定的事。至於如何做決定，依情況而異。但是我注意到大部分的企業做決定的時候，其實都沒有花很多時間思考。不幸的是，匆促做決定常常使得與企業相關人的生活被影響。
想一想過去一些你做過不大好的決定，當時發生了什麼事情？我曾經非常衝動做過某些決定，沒有考慮到這會給相關人士帶來多大的影響。當時我沒有仔細思考什麼叫做壞的決定，但是從過去的經驗當中，我的確從錯誤的策略中學到不少，也因此我明白了錯誤的決定會導致一些超乎想像的後果。現在，做決定時，我最大的考量就是神如何看待我的行為，以及我的決定如何會影響到其他人的生活。
這不是說我們必須要測量每一個決定的可能的後果，但當我們做決定的時候，我們可以用心、用智慧去做決定。聖經也告訴很多關於做決定的忠告。例如，詩篇90篇11-12節，提到摩西(神人)的禱告，他宣告說：「誰曉得你怒氣的權勢？誰按著你該受的敬畏曉得你的忿怒呢？求你指教我們怎麼數算自己的日子，好叫我們得著智慧的心。」摩西非常了解神，身為以色列人的領袖，他也從錯誤的決定中學習。
在撒母耳記上13章14節當中，先知數算掃羅王所做的不明智的決定和治理。「現在你的王位必不長久。耶和華已經尋著一個合他心意的人，立他作百姓的君，因為你沒有遵守耶和華所吩咐你的。」在吉甲的時候，掃羅自作主張，沒有等七天，等到撒母耳來才獻祭。很明顯地，掃羅很擔心在非力士人準備進攻的時候，他的軍隊會軍心渙散。
所羅門王在箴言23章15-18節當中教導我們：「我兒，你心若存智慧，我的心也甚歡喜。你的嘴若說正直話，我的心腸也必快樂。你心中不要忌妒罪人，只要終日敬畏耶和華；因為至終必有善報，你的指望也不致斷絕。」對我們來說這是非常需要精通的一堂課。敬畏神(詢問神)絕對是企業做決定時關鍵的一步。
雅各書4章13-16節提醒跟隨耶穌基督的職場和專業的人士。「嗐!你們有話說：「今天明天我們要往某城裡去，在那裡住一年，做買賣得利。其實明天如何，你們還不知道。你們的生命是什麼呢？你們原來是一片雲霧，出現少時就不見了。你們只當說：「主若願意，我們就可以活著，也可以做這事，或做那事。現今你們竟以張狂誇口；凡這樣誇口都是惡的。」對在企業職場中如何服事主，這些教導是很清楚和有幫助的。
用心做決定不衝動，對一個企業是很有幫助的。主希望我們在世界上的日子，能經歷到改變人生的事。信靠主並且依照聖經的原則行事，能幫助職場人士或是企業過更有意義的日子。
先知耶利米和以西結都預言一個新的盟約即將到來。只有當我們有一個全新的心的時候，我們才能用新眼光來看神和其他人。這顆新的心，來自和耶穌有正確的關係。我們應該常常禱告，尋求神能緊密地全方位參與我們個人和職場的生活。
省思與問題討論
討論一下你做決定時，常常會用哪些步驟？ 做決定的時候，你是傾向衝動性地做決定或是有條不紊地做決定？你可以回想有一次你太快做了重要的決定或衝動性做了決定，以致於日後很後悔的嗎？如果有，請你描述當時的情況以及後來的結果。 對你來說，用心或用頭腦做決定是什麼意思？要持續這樣做很困難嗎？請解釋您的答案。 哪一段聖經經文對你做決定最有意義？為什麼，請解釋你的答案。
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多和這個主題相關的經文，請參考：詩篇119篇9-16節、139篇23-24節；箴言21章1-4節；耶利米書24章7節、32章39-40節；以西結書11章19-20節、36章26-27節
DECISION-MAKING FROM THE HEAD – AND THE HEART
By Jim Langley
Those of us who work in the business world know life is filled with decision after decision. How we make decisions varies, but I have noticed most business decisions are made without much thought. Unfortunately, hastily made decisions may have a detrimental impact on businesses and the lives of those affected.
Consider some of the poor business decisions you have made in the past. What went wrong? Some of mine were very impulsive, giving little consideration for the effects they might have on those around me. I do not dwell on bad decisions, but have resolved to learn from tactical errors in my past. I have come to understand decisions have ramifications far beyond my interests. Now my top concerns are how God will see my actions – and how my decisions might affect the lives of others.
This is not to say we must weigh every decision for potential outcomes, but we would be wise to bring our hearts – as well as our heads – into the decision-making process. The Bible has much to say about this. For instance, in Psalm 90, described as a prayer of “Moses, the man of God,” verses 11 and 12 declare, “Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Moses knew God intimately and learned from poor decisions he had made as the leader of Israel.
In 1 Samuel 13:14, the prophet recounts for Israel”s King Saul how an unwise decision he made would end his reign: “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord”s command.” Saul had taken things into his own hands at Gilgal, not waiting the full seven days for Samuel to arrive and conduct the prescribed sacrificial burnt offering. Apparently, Saul was greatly concerned that his troops were losing heart with the Philistines preparing to attack.
King Solomon teaches in Proverbs 23:15-18, “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” This is an important lesson we need to master. Fearing (having reverence for) the Lord is critical for coming to grips with the business decisions of the heart.
In James 4:13-16, business and professional people who claim to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are reminded, "Look here, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it”s here a little while, then it”s gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.”. This truth is sobering – and helpful – for serving God in business.
There is much to be gained by making business decisions of the heart, rather than acting impulsively. The Lord desires for us to have a life-changing experience during our time on earth. Trusting in and following the Scriptures in our business life will make it much more meaningful.
The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel both prophesied a new covenant that was forthcoming. We all can have a “new heart” that will enable us to see God and others in a totally new light. This new heart comes from a right relationship with Jesus. We should pray, seeking to let Him be intimately involved in all aspects of business and our personal lives.
© 2017. Jim Langley has been an agent with New York Life since 1983 and an active member of CBMC of Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. since 1987. His website is: fourthquarterstrategies.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Describe the process you use in making major decisions. Do you tend to be impulsive, or more methodical, in decision-making? Can you think of a time you made an important decision hastily, on impulse, that you later regretted? If so, describe that situation and the consequences of it. What does it mean to you to put our hearts into making decisions, as well as our heads? How difficult is it for you to do that on a consistent basis? Explain your answer. Which of the Bible passages cited seems most meaningful to you? Why?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Psalms 119:9-16, 139:23-24; Proverbs 21:1-4; Jeremiah 24:7; 32:39-40; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:26-27
