Choosing to Cheat

Several years ago, I read a great book by Andy Stanley entitled "Choosing to Cheat". It's a simple book that takes no more than two nights to read (that's if you're a slow reader like me) and looks at the issue of when family and work collide. This simple but yet profound book has implications for not only family and work, but can affect our church involvement, how we parent, involvement in our respective school, community involvement, and how much money we give away.

In a nutshell, the book says that when the opportunity comes and you're confronted with a decision to prioritize either family and work, let the family value win. Tomorrow I leave for retreat with a group of high school students. All week, I've been preparing for this retreat, because I desperately want it to be a time that is both encouraging and inspiring for those high school students that come. I've put a lot of physical and mental energy into the retreat and in other areas that are a part of my "job". I'm constantly watching how many hours I spend away from my home and at my work (or ministry). I don't want to cheat my family, rather I'd rather have a ticked off elder board than a ticked off kid because his daddy spends too much time at "the office" (fortunately, I serve at a church where the elders are adamant that my service to my family precedes my service to the church).



The implications have broader affect when I look at my finances. Mandy and I recently bought a couple couches for our family room because the current ones are worn out and falling to pieces (literally). We saved up, shopped around for deals and didn't spend the money until we really needed the couches. Due to this out of the ordinary expense, the temptation and opportunity came to cheat God with my finances. Before I could be tempted to hoard and keep my money, I ran over to my check book and made a check out (my tithe). I didn't want to cheat my Lord. The same resolve I had to not cheat my family of time and security, is the same resolve I want with my finances and every facet of my life. I want to serve my Lord regularly. I want to spend time with Him regularly. I want to give my money and time to Him regularly. I don't want to cheat my Lord. I'd rather cheat myself and keep the dilapidated furniture than cheat Jesus.

Choosing to Cheat has even wider implications. More on that later...stay tuned!