Today on MoneyLife

MoneyLife host Chuck Bentley begins today's broadcast informing listeners that several have sent passionate e-mails who heard the program on Financially Assisted Suicide a while back.

Some shared stories of loved ones who had committed suicide because of financial problems. Chuck reminds you that Crown has callled listeners to a time of prayer and fasting for economic healing of our nation.

Chuck says he's heard from a pastor who asked if his church could participate. The pastor just found out that a member of his church board was in major credit card debt and committed suicide. This suicide highlights the importance of financial problems.

God is the solution to any money problems not a government program. Our only hope as individuals and as a nation is turn to the Lord. We’ve got to repent of our humanism that controls our thinking. If we’re going to be bailed out of this financial crisis, it will have to be by God Himself. See the 7-Step Solution.

Going to share more about this suicide story in the coming days and the lessons learned by this church through this painful experience. We want people to know what to look for and how to be there for people in despair.

After the break, Chuck welcomes Brian Ray back to the program. Brian is the Founder of Crossroads Career Network and a long time friend of Crown Financial Ministries. Brian was on the program yesterday and talked about the current job market and employment prospects during a slowing economy.

Chuck says he wanted to go deeper into employment issues today, specifically talking about four skill sets to success in your career that Brian has identified:

1. Attitude skills, being joyful, obedient and striving to do your best
2. Technical skills related to a job
3. People skills for a job (communication, teamwork, management)
4. Explorer skills (ability to find a job)

Brain says the first set of skills, attitude toward your job sets the stage for success. He says good workers sometimes let their attitude dictate their behavior in negative ways. We may not realize we're doing this, so we don't know how to change our attitude.

Brian uses the acronym JOB. "J" is for Joy. Brian says joy is a decision. You add up the positives in your life, focus on them, exercise that joy.

"O" is for Obedience. Employers appreciate it when employee carry out their assignments immediately and joyfully.

"B" is for Best. Do your work with excellence for Christ rather than your boss. Once you exercise those attitude skills, you’ll do much better in your job/career than others.

The second skill set is task or technical skills. Education always paves the way for vocation. Whatever your occupation, learn how to be the best at it.

You don't have to go back to college; you can get education through a professional or trade association. Join and be active. Go to meetings. Take a course, go to a convention, network. See out people to guide you, call them your board of advisors. Stay current with technology that impacts your industry.

See these relevant verses:

• James 1:2
• Ephesians 6:5
• Colossians 3:23

After the break, Chuck and Brian continue discussing the four skill sets to employment success.

The third set focuses on " people skills." These are a lubricant that enable people to work together. Communication is the key, but it' more about listening than talking, and then responding in a way others can understand.

People skills also involve teamwork, (figuring how to work well with others, paying attention to how you can help them. Another important people skill is leadership. If you supervise others, you must be adept at persuasion, negotiation, and redirection.

Places that offer training for technical skills also often have training for people skills. If people don’t respond well to you, it’s an indication of poor people skills. You may have treated them bad in the past. Often you are the problem, not the other person.

The fourth set of skills are called explorer skills. You can explore how to do your current job better as well as alternative jobs within your organization or elsewhere.

Brian's organization, Crossroads Career Network, has 6 steps to help people to explore the crossroads in their careers:

1. Attitude
2. Aptitude
3. Altitude (focusing on the market place and taking what you do best with a positive attitude and finding the right opportunities for them)
4. Searching for opportunities
5. Sorting by evaluating and interviewing
6. Selecting whatever work God has prepared for you

Brian says it's most important to continually hear and follow God’s call. God made us in Christ for good works that He prepared in advance for us. Brian encourages listeners to pray that everyday and be good stewards of what God gives you.

See relevant verses:

• Ephesians 4:16
• Ephesians 2:10

Chuck thanks Brian for being on the program, and after the final break, Chuck says Brian’s advice is godly, tested, and practical.

However, no one knows the future, and that uncertainty can cause worry no matter what job or industry you work in right now.

Satan always lies to us and one his favorites is that God doesn’t love you. Satan wants you to be fearful. Corrie ten Boom once said, “It is not hard to trust a known God with an unknown future.”

Nothing can separate us from the love of God so what do we have to fear? God’s love drives out fear. He wants you to be successful in finding the next job. You must learn to trust the Lord and walk by faith to overcome fear. Do your part to find a job and do so knowing God loves you and has your best interest at heart.

See relevant verses:

• Joshua 1:6-7
• Joshua 1:9
• Romans 8:38-39

See also Crown's Help, Hope and Insight Web site.

Employment

More than 80 percent of Americans are discontent with their jobs – most have no consistent sense of fulfillment.

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Choosing the Right Vocation

In choosing a vocation, Christians must weigh their priorities very carefully. When people are out of God’s priorities, they are out of His will.

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Working Smart

Being successful is not about how hard you work – it’s about how smart you work.

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Reshaping the Work World

Two key characteristics describe workers who should be able to thrive in the rapidly changing work world: focus and versatility.

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Other Resources:

• ABCs of Money Package
• Career Direct
• God's Principles for Operating a Business
• Business By the Book
• Crown Mvelopes