Focus: Stay Out Of Your Own Way!

Text: Lk.19:24

"And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds."

Do you ever pause and ponder if you are not the reason why you are yet succeed in life? Before you shift the blame on others for your lack of success in life, consider taking a good look at yourself in the mirror and asking if you are not your own worst enemy.

Jesus Christ tells us the Parable of the Ten Pounds. In that story a certain high ranking man calls ten of slaves and gives them money for business while he travels to a foreign land to receive for himself a kingdom. He says to them, "Occupy till I come." The word 'occupy' refers to trading. 

The money given to them is not for personal consumption but for commercial investment. They are to serve as stewards, managing the nobleman's business in his absence. In his absence, they are to demonstrate the utmost level of loyalty and responsibility, and on his return, they are to show total integrity and accountability. 

Luke reports, "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading." The man is interested in getting returns for his investment. Among the successful slaves we find one who is unsuccessful, and we learn the reason for his failure from his own words. He says, "For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layest not down, and thou reapest that thou didst not sow." He makes excuses for his failure. He believes wrong things about his own master. He sees his master in a bad light. Indeed he has an ugly attitude. He has a wrong mindset. He stands in the way of his own success. He lets what and how he thinks about others keep him from being a success. He has money to invest or trade with, but lacks confidence and motivation. He has what others have, but fails to make use of it. 

Some people are just their own problems. They lack inward motivation and positive attitude. If you don't ever succeed in this life, don't look far away from yourself! You are the reason behind your own failure.

No one succeeds externally who is a failure internally. What you think about your employer can make or mar you. 

Never let what you think about others hinder you from making the best of what God has given you! 

How do you see God? What do you believe about God? Your view of God determines your value of Him. 

You need a healthy mindset, a commitment to purpose and a wise stewardship. Stop blocking your pathway to success! Stop letting others be the reason for your failure! Stop believing the worst of others and using them to make lame excuses for your lack of industry and success!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter