Sometimes It Does Not Pay To Achieve

There are certain things in life that are achieved by going about it the right way.  Hard study makes good grades in school.  Hard work earns promotions and raises.  Proper respect for people earns trust and friendships.  These type of achievements are the right thing to do.

Other achievements can be costly.  Passing people right and left in traffic to be first in line at the next traffic light can cost a ticket or an accident.  What did it achieve?  Nothing.

Arguing with a sales clerk over a price and huffing off to make a point achieves nothing.  In fact it costs the positive opinion of others standing by watching.

A tire salesman refuses to repair an additional tire rim for a customer who did not buy original tires at his shop.  He tells the customer to take his repair to where he bought other tires.  This costs the reputation of that whole company plus word is spread to others not to do business there.  Several months later that salesman knocks on the door of the home of the same customer he turned away.  He was going door to door in order to witness for Christ.  Even though he remembers nothing about the customer or incident, the customer remembers very well.  This earlier action costed the salesman his witness where the customer is concerned.  Some decisions can ruin a whole life.

Sometimes it does not pay to achieve, especially when it comes to making a spur of the moment point.  These split second decisions have costs that pyramid out for a long time.

Matthew 20:25-28  Living Bible

But Jesus called them together and said, “Among the heathen, kings are tyrants and each minor official lords it over those beneath him.  But among you it is quite different.  Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant.  And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave.  Your attitude must be like My own, for I, the Messiah,* did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give My life as a ransom for many.”