Questions for Calculating Risk and Measuring Faith

 

One Sunday in the church where I used to pastor, there was a couple that the Holy Spirit touched powerfully.  As they pulled themselves off the floor and onto the front row of chairs, I noticed this particular husband and wife were absolutely giddy as they were talking to each other. Then as the service concluded, they approached me and asked if they could talk for a few minutes after church. I agreed that I would talk after I greeted some people and guests as they were leaving. 

They said, “When we were on the floor God spoke to us both and told us that we were called to start a restaurant.” I was like, “Wonderful, I know that you have been praying about calling and direction in life.” 

Now, let me give you a brief background story. The husband and his wife were both excellent cooks, skilled in the kitchen, and they already knew how to produce massive amounts of food.  However, they were young in the Lord and unstable financially, but it witnessed in my heart that this could be a possibility for them.  I thought this could be an area where they would thrive. They could use their gifts, build their influence and prosper their lives. 

After I made the statement about them praying about their calling and direction in life, they shocked me when the husband made the following statement, “Great, I’ll quit my job tomorrow and we’ll start the process of opening a restaurant.”  I quickly popped back, “You can’t do that!” They were like, “Why not? You’ve been preaching on faith.  If God calls us, then he’ll provide for us.”  I was like, “That is not how faith works.  God calls you, then you prepare. How are you going to pay your bills? You’re the only one who works. How are you going to pay your debts? How can you afford a building? You don’t even have a business license. How long will that take? You don’t have a business plan.  You don’t have the money to brand or market.  You don’t have a loan.  You can’t quit your job tomorrow.  Don’t lose  your mind!”

They retorted by saying, “We feel like what your telling us is contrary to what you’ve been preaching and teaching.”

I said, “I’ve been preaching on having faith- not throwing your brain out the window.  I’m your pastor.  If you quit your job tomorrow, then you’ll be disobedient to God and me.”

He didn’t walk out on his job on Monday, but after too little preparation, he did quit his job one month later against my counsel.  I wish I could say it turned out well for them, but they lost everything before they even got the restaurant off the ground. 

Most believers are not that impulsive and reckless, but the question still remains, “How do we have radical faith in God and not be reckless?”  Another question we might ask is, “How do we calculate the amount of risk we should take in attempting a new endeavor  or in seasons of transition?” 

I believe the coming move of God that’s going to sweep the planet will bring thousands, if not millions, of believers to a place of faith for the purpose of doing great endeavors for God. These endeavors will be in every segment of society— businesses, the sciences, healthcare, ministry, missions, government, entertainment, etc. During the season of outpouring when these mighty feats are a success on a collective level throughout the body of Christ, then revival will transition to awakening. Awakening is when masses of lost people repent of their sins and find Christ. 

We must live a life of faith and wisdom if we’re going to be successful. Paul tells us this in Romans 12:3.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

A few observations about this verse:

1. This verse tells us that in spiritual matters we have a tendency to evaluate ourselves better than we actually are.
2. We are to honestly evaluate ourselves in regard to our spiritual life.
3. We need to know the level of faith that God has given us.

I can’t resolve the tension between faith and risk for you, but I can give you the tools to resolve it for yourself. I’m hoping to give you some measure of equipping to resolve this tension over the course of this article and one other.  In this article, I’m presenting to you a series of questions that you should ask yourself to help determine whether or not you’re taking on too much risk in relation to the faith you’ve been given. I want you to know with “sober judgement” if you’re ready or not for the challenges you’re about to tackle.  In the second article, I will show you how the Bible teaches that steps of faith are how God operates and brings about success in new endeavors and transitions. Steps of faith are a sharp contrast in comparison to leaps of faith, and we will explore the dynamic differences between these two concepts in the next article.

So, let’s get started with the questions.

1. What mountain are you speaking to?

Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:22-24

What do you need to move?  What challenge are you attempting to conquer? Too many believers have vague ideas on what it is they’re attempting to accomplish. Many times in the gospels Jesus asked, “What do you need me to do for you?”   Before they could get their miracle, they had to get clarity on what they wanted. What do you want/need to happen? Do you need to be on the other side of the Red Sea?  Which giant do you need killed?  Do you know his name? What exactly are you attempting to accomplish?

 

2. Have I done everything in obedience to what the Bible says and to what the Holy Spirit has spoken?

 

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise…

Ephesians 5:15

God doesn’t part the sea when you’re still in Egypt.  You must follow the cloud and walk to the shore.  Do I owe debts?  Have I given my word? Have I made commitments I need to fulfill? The call of God to a task doesn’t allow us to omit our obligation to Biblical ethics and morals. I’ve seen people move for ministry opportunities while stiffing their last landlord of back rent.   If you haven’t carried out every aspect of obedience, then do that first. 

 

3.  Are your spouse and kids initially okay with the sacrifice and risk necessary to be successful?

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:19

I say initially because there are times when we’re doing hard things with God where we all want to quit— you, your spouse and your kids.  Once you get started, you can’t quit at the whims of other people. Don’t have decision remorse. Don’t quit until your efforts are a complete success or a complete failure. Start and finish.  Don’t quit in the middle, but don’t move until everyone is in agreement. I understand the frustration with this.  On some inventories, my wife’s number one value is stability and my number one value is adventure.  Nevertheless, avoid a lifetime of “I told you so,” and find the place of agreement.

 

4.  Do you have enough to risk?

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

Luke 14:28-31

People that jump from instability to instability eventually land in catastrophe. If you’ve failed at everything you’ve touched, then you’re not ready for a new challenge.  When the Lord leads you to a place of massive change or transition you should be moving from a place of stability to a place of uncertainty.  It is a recipe for disaster to leave a place of uncertainty to enter a place of uncertainty. The one exception is when you have nothing to lose. I remember when I became the pastor of my first church. I owned a Saturn SC1 and all the clothes and boxes I could fit in the back of it. I thought I was risking it all taking this church of nine people that was about to close. The reality is I had nothing to lose.  The lighter you travel, the more risk you can take. 

 

 

5.  Is this a next level challenge?

For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

Romans 1:17 ASV

David killed his lion and bear before he took on a giant. Yet in my humble opinion, I would rather take on a giant than a lion or a bear, but to each his own.  If we do great things for God, will we face daunting and challenging realities? Yes! Every lion, bear and giant can make us want to wet ourselves, but if we take a few steps back, does it look like a logical progression? Does it seem like the Lord has been preparing us for this?  Have we done this before, just on a smaller scale?

 

6.  Am I more suited for a support role?

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…

2 Corinthians 7:6

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.

2 Corinthians 8:16

I’ve seen more people that were legitimately called to an issue or ministry sidetracked by this issue than just about any other thing. Some people don’t have the temperament to be the number one guy or gal.  It’s quite an assumption that if God gives you a vision for something that you think that you’re the only to lead that vision by default. The lust to call the shots and to shape the culture of the organization is alluring. Take an honest look at yourself.  Do you have the gifts to be that leader?  Who would argue that Joseph and Daniel had more geo-political influence than most people in the Bible? Even though they changed the world, neither were in the first seat.  Many people give up their seat of influence because they insist on being in the first chair.  On the contrary, we have Moses.  Moses changed the world from the driver’s seat, but immediately he knew he couldn’t carry out the job himself. The first thing God provided for him was a team member. There are tons of Moses’ crying out for Aarons. There are too many Aarons that refuse to come, but they insist on being the Moses.  Would the impact of your life be increased if you served someone that was already doing what you’ve been called to do?

 

7. Do I have counsel?

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22

As new goals, changes and transitions pop up on our radar, I can bet you that the prophetic played a role in your consideration of these possibilities. You must understand that prophecy gets the process started, but council takes us past the finish line.  Do you have people of whom you could bounce ideas off, who have been where you’re going, or who could coach you in what you’re doing? If you have no counsel, then tread carefully. 

 

8. Has my life been building toward this?

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14

Does it appear that all your training, spiritual growth, heart’s desires, personality, spiritual gifts, spiritual formation and skill sets have been brought into a sudden convergence for this very moment?  If so, then you should probably make the step of faith.  If you don’t see this convergence of life experience, then wait and pray.

9. Are people contributing toward this?

 

The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11:29-30

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…

Philippians 1:4-5

This question is generally more ministry specific. People want to be a part of what God is doing.  One of the signs that God is doing something is people start supporting.  When folk don’t support, they generally see problems that you aren’t seeing. Most folks aren’t bold enough to tell you that you’re going to fail, but certainly will not invest in potential failure.  If people are not interested in supporting, then you need to ask yourself why.  If it’s because they’re stingy, then you need a whole new support structure around you before you can have sustained success.  If you’re blessed with a helpful community and they’re not supporting, then it’s because they don’t want to invest in your eminent failure. Pull the truth out of them.  Feedback is the breakfast of champions. 

If you’re in business, see people that want to be investors or partners as confirmation.  If no one is approaching you about your endeavors, then you’re on the wrong track. You should avoid business partnerships whenever possible, but you should see their interest as confirmation that you are on the right track- not that you need a partner. Now let me say this, the purpose of this article is not to discuss the positives and negatives of partnerships, but Dave Ramsey gives great insight into this topic when he says, “The only ships that don’t sail are partnerships.” 

10. Have you built your team?

Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

Mark 6:7

Key relationships are more important than money.  If you’ve started the process of moving out on achieving your goals, then who has God provided to help you? If God has not provided key people, then you need to slow down and figure out why not?

These questions should help you process how much risk you should assume.  Now understand— all of these questions aren’t weighted equally.  Some are more absolute than others. If your transition causes you to not be able to pay your debts or to fulfill agreed upon commitments, then you don’t need to proceed.  If your spouse is dead set against you, then you don’t get to move.  The questions that are less absolute deal more with timing.  You may not come to a full stop, but maybe you need to slow down and find some counselors or recruit the right team members.  Once this happens, maybe you can speed up again.

I hope this article helps you on your journey to walking in God’s will.  Be sure to check out my next article that will be posted on December 11th.  If you want to get notified for my next post, then register at the website.

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