This Privileged Work

“The poor and the middle-class work for money. The rich have money work for them. …Most people have a price…because of…fear and greed…fear of being without money…greed…[for] all the wonderful things money can buy. …the sooner you forget about needing a paycheck, the easier your adult life will be….” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki

I was the secretary/treasurer at a church of 100-150 people. I knew this was where God called me to serve. I never stopped studying finances or the Bible.

I received a job offer at a local doctor’s office. Our church had a daycare which meant the bosses were coming and going all day. I kept track of them. While sitting in the waiting room, I overheard a nurse ask the receptionist where the doctor was. Without thinking, I replied, “In exam room #2.”

The office manager offered me a job on the spot. I declined.

Another job offer came from the burglar alarm company we used. I’m good at remembering numbers. To program the alarm, you punched in a long series of numbers. I recognized the pattern. (I also programmed the phone system and the pop machine when I changed flavors.)

The technician finished troubleshooting the problem. He wanted me to go into the settings on the keypad to test it. He started the long numerical command and I finished it for him.

He offered me a job in California at double the pay. I declined.

I had determined to never let money influence me. God provides for us. We lived under the poverty level a few times and never missed a meal.

I quit my job at the church when my first child was born. It’s a good thing because our second child arrived the next year!

During that time, my husband signed up for an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) at work. When the paperwork arrived, I found it was a whole life insurance policy, not an IRA.

We set up a meeting with the insurance man. After canceling the policy, and explaining why he offered me a job.

I declined and then explained, “Our vehicles are paid for and our only debt is our mortgage. We are living comfortably on my husband’s wage. I don’t need a job. I can stay at home with my babies.”

Our personal finances were my business. And I worked for free!

Later, my children went to preschool, and I went back to working at the church. The secretary at that time hated the treasurer’s duties. We split the job. Then she moved away and I was back to doing both plus the bookkeeping for the daycare.

Now I’m working for free again! I haven’t missed a meal and God continues to bless us. I know writing a yearly Bible Reading Guide is my work.

Isaiah 45:4, “…I’ve singled you out, called you by name, and given you this privileged work….” The Message

I write the daily devotion to prove the Bible is applicable every day – 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. This is my 10th year and I’m nearing my 4000th post! I would rather work for God than for money.