Topic: Profitability Mindset
Text: Mark 14:3-9
Key verse: We could have sold this perfume for more than three hundred silver coins and given the money to the poor!” So they started saying cruel things to the woman. – Mark 14:5
There are certain characteristics of a person that cannot be revealed by looking in a mirror. It will require seeking answers from others to know some of the impressions people have about you.
When Jesus was on earth he asked his disciples, …” who do men say l am?” Then he asked them a second question like the first, …” Who do you say l am?”.
Matthew 16:13-15
Just before we proceed to learn about the mind of Christ we shall look at a few more mindsets that work against the Winning mindset that we desire to have as believers in Jesus Christ.
The study has focussed on the mental attitudes that a believer ought to have to ensure they attain victory from the kingdom’s perspectives.
Our text today reveals an attitude that Jesus condemned, this story was captured in more than one gospel and there are many lessons we can take away after a diligent study.
The first lesson is about the profitability mindset where profitability is defined as the state of yielding a profit of financial gain. This mindset has always been there but has become even more prominent now that the pursuit of money is the overriding factor for almost every choice people now make.
Decisions on career paths, marriage partners, and choice of who should occupy political office are no longer made based on intrinsic moral values but rather on how much financial gain is made from each choice. Even young children now ask their parents…” what is in it for me”; when they are sent on errands.
The Bible teaches on the need for profit, several parables of Jesus teach that God expects us to make a profit from every talent we have received and those who are lazy and unprofitable will be punished. ( Matthew 25:14-30)
Nevertheless, using the prospect of financial gain as a basis to judge every situation is wrong. The matters of the kingdom particularly spiritual matters cannot be discerned solely from a financial point of view.
The disciples considered the woman’s action as a waste of resources but Jesus spoke about the prophetic significance of her action and in another gospel, he commended her show of love for him.
Obeying God’s commandments will not always bring financial gain, but other blessings money cannot buy. Sometimes in a relationship, the other person might cost you a lot of money to keep, but many years down the road they might become your link to your desired dream, the Shunammite woman is a good example.
Don’t access people merely on the financial gain they can offer you now, don’t serve people only when they have the potential of rewarding you with money and don’t form an opinion on an issue, based only on how profitable it can be to you or your organization.
I have shown you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. – Acts 20:35
Always endeavour to seek God’s will on every issue. When Abraham’s shepherds disputed with those of Lot his nephew, he resolved the matter by separating from Lot, and he gave him the option to choose which side of the land he would take. Lot did not pray about his choice, neither did he consider the good of his uncle who had raised him so far, rather he chose based on profitability for himself. You know the end of Lot’s story.
Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your interests – Philippians 2:4 (TPT)
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?- Matthew 16:26
The profitability mindset has caused many to compromise their values and faith, it has made parents sell their daughter to slavery disguised as marriage, several ministers have changed their vision, mission, and message, just to ensure they remain profitable as an organization.
What does God want? Financial personal gain or kingdom gain? The prayer Jesus taught us to pray which should be a guide to our requests from the Father, puts God’s kingdom extension ahead of personal needs. Secondly, he teaches us to seek God’s will in every matter on the earth as his will is done in heaven.
As you step out to make a profit in your work and business, l pray that the blessings of God will give you abundant harvest in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Deuteronomy 28:1-13)
Be guided by God’s standards rather than a profitability mindset.
Roses&Thorns