The simple truth is that most Americans are too busy to serve God. We have grown complacent and comfortable in God’s blessings and have forgotten the first commandment. In the meantime, immorality and cults have grown to alarming proportions because their advocates are more zealous in their support.

Since God asks for obedience, rather than demanding it, many Christians simply ignore the very reason for their existence: to glorify God.

Without exception, God has a unique and meaningful plan for every believer, and it does not depend on age, income, or ability. Just as Esther did, every believer must decide either to be used by God or to be bypassed and another chosen instead. What a loss -- that we will allow temporary comforts and laziness to rob us of true riches both now and for all eternity. “Everything will be destroyed. So you should serve and honor God by the way you live” (2 Peter 3:11 CEV).

Thorns of Life

“The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while” (Luke 8:14 CEV).

In the parable of the sower, Christ defined the thorns as worries, riches, and pleasures of this world. At first glance, one would assume that committed service to God would yield peace -- but with poverty and blandness. Judging from the way Christians avoid total service to God, this would seem so. However, Jesus Christ said that total service to God would yield peace and blessings (within his will). “Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father knows what you need. But put God’s work first, and these things will be yours” (Luke 12:30-31 CEV).

Good Works

To a lesser degree, but just as misguided, are Christians who apply themselves to fruitless efforts in the name of the Lord. They busy themselves to the point of exhaustion, going to conferences and countless church activities and serving on many committees. However, they are rarely, if ever, quiet enough for the Lord to direct them. They are irritable and often envious of others. Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the what is best, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 CEV).

Dedicate Your Time to God

Most Christians would never refuse to do God’s will; it’s just that the timing is not right. When God calls us, he wants obedience first and worldly wisdom last. We have allowed the urgent things of this society in which we live to overshadow the important things. (See Luke 14:16-24 CEV.)

Just as God can multiply the fruits of our labor, he also can multiply the use of our time. Any good administrator knows that 10 minutes spent in productive effort is more valuable than two hours spent in confusion and frustration.

Therefore, one of the first things a busy, frustrated, overworked Christian needs to do is to dedicate the best part of the day, week, month, and year to the Lord.

Larry Burkett is the founder and CEO of Christian Financial Concepts, a nonprofit ministry that teaches biblical principles of finance. He has written over 50 books, including the best-selling How to Manage Your Money. Larry and his wife live in Gainesville, Ga.

Reprinted with permission from Christian Financial Concepts, Inc.