Passing the Readiness Test

A Test of Readiness

Ok - this thing is called "Daily Tithe". Today let's compare a lesson that Jesus taught us and how tithing can assist us in passing the test of readiness.  

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a striking parable about ten virgins awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. All ten start in the same place—waiting with anticipation. But only five bring extra oil, prepared for a delay. The others, caught off guard when the bridegroom finally arrives, find themselves shut out of the wedding feast.

This isn’t just a story about oil or lamps—it’s about spiritual readiness. The parable reminds us that following Jesus isn’t only about how we start. It’s about how we continue. It’s about staying awake, staying filled, staying faithful—until the very end.

Tithing plays a quiet but powerful role in that spiritual readiness. When we tithe, we do more than give money—we shape our hearts. We build a rhythm of putting God first. With each tithe, we say, “Jesus, I’m living for You and Your Kingdom. I’m not living for myself.” It’s a regular declaration that our lives are aligned with eternity, not with temporary things.

This kind of readiness isn’t abstract. It’s not a hypothetical test—it’s our daily reality. Jesus could return at any moment. Or we could step into eternity at any moment. Life moves forward moment by moment, and while we don’t know when our final moment will be, we know it’s coming.

What makes readiness difficult today is not just sin—it’s distraction. The sheer volume of noise in modern life numbs our spiritual awareness. According to The Times, the average American spends roughly 2.5 hours per day on social media. Teenagers spend even more—nearly 5 hours per day. Add to that the average 2 hours a day watching television (with those over 65 watching over 4 hours daily), and we’re looking at over 31 hours per week of screen-based media. That’s the equivalent of more than 68 full 24-hour days each year—over two months spent consuming content instead of cultivating life.

This isn’t harmless background noise—it shapes us. It builds a rhythm, too—but one designed to distract, dull, and disconnect us from God. Left unchecked, this rhythm draws our attention away from what matters most and slowly erodes our readiness.

Tithing cuts through that noise. It establishes a counter-rhythm—one of surrender, priority, and trust. Most of us receive income on a consistent schedule. Tithing aligns that routine with divine purpose. It turns a paycheck into a spiritual practice. It takes something ordinary and infuses it with eternal significance.

Will tithing alone make every part of your life spiritually ready? Of course not. But it’s a step that invites more of God into your life. It’s a discipline that disrupts worldly monotony and creates space for holy awareness. It’s a practical act of devotion in a world full of distractions.

Let’s not be caught unprepared. Let’s be like the wise virgins, whose lamps were full and whose hearts were ready. Let’s live lives that declare: “Jesus, I know You are coming—and I’m living like it.”
Let’s pass the test of readiness—not by accident, but by intention.

-Mark

Following Instructions: Sometimes It Actually Works...

Trust + Obedience

In this day and age, most of us have gotten very good at improvising and using tools to figure things out on our own. Information is readily available—endless videos, tutorials, and step-by-step guides assure us that we can do almost anything ourselves. We’ve learned to rely on our own resourcefulness and have even convinced ourselves that expert advice or leadership is for others.

But from time to time, we would do ourselves a favor by leaning on true leadership—whether from experienced mentors, wise counsel, or God Himself. Following clear guidance not only takes the guesswork out of important decisions but also honors those who are genuinely trying to lead us in the right direction.

In my own career, I’ve seen firsthand how listening closely and executing a well-laid plan has paid off. Sometimes, what is needed is not another opinion, but action. I haven’t always understood the full picture from the start, but I’ve learned that understanding often comes during the process, not before it. God continues to teach me this more and more each day.

A Biblical Example of Trusting and Executing: Noah

One of the greatest biblical examples of obedience without full understanding is Noah. When God decided to cleanse the earth with a flood, He gave Noah very specific instructions:

• Materials: Use gopher wood (Genesis 6:14).

• Dimensions: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, 30 cubits high (Genesis 6:15).

• Design: Three decks, a roof, and a door on the side (Genesis 6:16).

Despite the fact that Noah had never seen a flood before, he did exactly as God commanded (Genesis 6:22, 7:5). He gathered the animals, stored food, and entered the ark at the appointed time. Because of his obedience, he and his family survived the flood, and God established a covenant with him afterward (Genesis 9:8-17).

Noah’s story is a powerful reminder that faithful obedience leads to victory, even when God’s instructions don’t make immediate sense.

A Call to Action: Are You in a Position to Trust and Execute?

If you are in a situation today where clear instructions have been provided—whether at work, in your personal life, or in your faith—but your trust and execution are being tested, consider these three questions:

1. Has my leader developed trust with me over time, and can I trust his/her instincts without understanding the bigger picture?

2. By executing, am I keeping in line with my values and principles—acting within my integrity?

3. Am I feeling uneasy because I truly know the actions will not work, or am I becoming a victim of my own ego because it was not my plan?

These three questions have been valuable for many in my sphere when they’re asked to execute. At times, our leaders—and often God—need our faith and our execution. And when we give it, we win big.

-Mark

What's in My Control? Staying Focused on Opportunities

Focusing on What You Can Control Today

There is no shortage of distractions in our world. Today, the number one way many of us get off track isn’t social media, entertainment, or busyness—it’s discouragement. Specifically, discouragement over circumstances or obstacles we cannot control.

Too often, we spend large portions of our time either in fear or frozen in a cycle of inaction due to the odds of failure. We have ideas, aspirations, and goals we’d like to achieve, yet we talk ourselves out of starting. We cite market conditions, tough competition, or the inability to see how a small start could lead to something bigger. Even when we do see a path forward, we fear the effort required to get there. Worse yet, we hesitate because we don’t want to risk our ego or reputation if things don’t work out.

Now that we’ve covered why we don’t start—let’s discuss why we should!

As Christians, we must learn to trust the outcomes to God and focus on the responsibilities that are ours. We are not held accountable for what others do or think, but we are stewards of our most limited resource: time. We must take stock of how we are called to use the gifts we have freely received.

I run a mortgage company—not the easiest industry to lead in right now. As a team, we meet weekly to focus on what is in our control and how we can take action to increase our influence in a positive way for customers and partners. It’s a powerful reminder that progress comes from focusing on what can be done, not worrying about what cannot.

Let’s take a look at a biblical example of this mindset in action.

Daniel’s Challenges and Perspective

Taken into Babylonian Captivity (Daniel 1)

Daniel was taken from his home as a young man and forced into the service of a foreign king.

• He couldn’t change his captivity, but he chose to remain faithful by refusing to eat the king’s food, negotiating a compromise that honored his faith.

• Key lesson: He controlled his personal integrity and faith, not his circumstances.

Interpreting the King’s Dream (Daniel 2)

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered all wise men to be executed if they couldn’t interpret his dream.

• Instead of panicking, Daniel prayed, sought wisdom, and took action, asking the king for time and trusting God for revelation.

• Key lesson: He couldn’t control the king’s decree, but he could trust God and use his wisdom.

Thrown into the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6)

When a law was passed forbidding prayer to anyone but the king, Daniel continued his routine of praying to God, knowing the consequences.

• He didn’t try to fight the law politically—he simply remained faithful and trusted God.

• Key lesson: He controlled his obedience and faith, not the government’s decisions.

Applying Daniel’s Example Today

Let’s take inventory of how we can follow Daniel’s example. If you catch yourself making excuses for inaction, ask yourself: what can you do today to take a step forward? If you fear failure due to larger circumstances, redefine success. Success is not about achieving a perfect outcome—it’s about making progress with what’s in your control, today.

Stay faithful, take action, and trust God with the results!

-Mark

Turning Off Autopilot: The Habit of Judging Others

Today at our Friday men’s Bible study, I sat among a group of men I’ve come to know and love over the past couple of years. We represent a diverse mix of business owners, market leaders, non-profit directors, and pastors. What binds us together is our love for Christ, but what makes us different is the unique way He uses each of us in our day-to-day lives. Today, we found ourselves unified by a struggle we all share: the tendency to judge others.

It’s ironic that one of the men in our group is a former federal judge. He spent years rendering judgments as part of his profession. Even he wrestles with the reality that judgment extends far beyond the courtroom. As we read from Matthew 7, Jesus’ words struck a deep chord within us:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
(Matthew 7:1-5, NIV)

This passage makes it clear: our judgments of others are often blind to our own faults. One powerful question came up in our discussion: What if we were the one on trial? Would we want to be judged fairly? No, we would plead for mercy, grace, and understanding. If that is what we desire for ourselves, shouldn’t we extend the same to others?

The Autopilot of Judgment

I’ve realized that judging others isn’t something I actively set out to do—it happens almost instinctively, like an autopilot function in my mind. I catch myself forming opinions about people’s actions, decisions, and even their associations. I judge those who don’t work the way I believe they should, who make choices that don’t make sense to me, or who surround themselves with people I wouldn’t choose. Rather than offering grace or the benefit of the doubt, my mind makes snap judgments.

In the fast-paced world of business, this habit is especially common. We make quick decisions, assess risks, and categorize people rapidly to keep things moving. But Jesus calls us to a different standard—one that demands self-reflection before we pass judgment on others.

Embracing Awareness

Jesus’ words challenge us to shift from autopilot to awareness. Instead of letting judgment be our default, we should pause, reflect, and evaluate our own shortcomings. When we remove the plank from our own eye, we begin to see clearly. And when we see clearly, our approach to others changes.

It’s time to surrender our habit to judge and ask God to help us see others through His eyes. Let’s turn off autopilot and embrace the awareness that leads to grace.

-Mark