SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1269

“Gains and Losses”

He hired also 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for 100 talents of silver. But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel…And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” – 2 Chronicles 25:6-9

Amaziah had a strategy to win the battle they were about to fight which included hiring mercenaries from Israel for 100 talents of silver (over $26 million dollars in today’s money).

Like Amaziah, we can make strategic and tactical decisions that are based upon worldly intellect, fleshly desires, passions, pridefulness, and greed. These can sometimes result in a short-term gain, but they will always result in a loss of some type. Some take aways from this Scripture:

Worldly decision-making can cause us to suffer losses. Amaziah’s mistake was not seeking direction from the Lord and instead moving ahead in his own wisdom and resources. Even though the Lord gave Amaziah the gain of a victory, he suffered the loss of the money paid out and the lives lost when the mercenaries returned and raided the towns of Judah in retaliation for being ‘let go’.

But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, not letting them go with him to battle, raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon, and struck down 3,000 people in them and took much spoil. – 2 Chronicles 25:13

When faced with key decisions in life, it is best to always seek direction from the Lord and not ‘get ahead of Him’.

Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” – 1 Samuel 23:1-2

Sometimes the Lord’s direction is to move forward and sometimes it is for us to simply wait. This is when our impetuousness and impatience for gain can get us in trouble and we suffer loss.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! – Psalm 37:7

Avoid unholy alliances. Amaziah not only acted out in worldly wisdom, but he formed an unholy alliance with a people that God had rejected at that time.

In business it is tempting to form alliances with individuals and corporations that we perceive can help us achieve great gain but that have no regard for the Lord and His commands. Any gain from such an alliance will result in a loss, if not materially, then certainly in a spiritual sense. We can be blinded to the truth by our greed.

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. – Proverbs 1:19

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! – Isaiah 31:1

Unholy alliances are not solely in business. They can be in friendships, social circles and clubs, employers, romantic relationships, and marriage.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Whatever we seek to gain or have gained in this world should counted as nothing when compared to the gain of a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? – Mark 8:35,36

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3:7,8

May you seek and obey the Lord’s direction in all aspects of your life and then step out in faith, trusting in Him.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8