THE REWARDS OF RISK - DO IT FOR OTHERS
Daniel 2:48-49 - Then the king placed Daniel in a high Position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all it's wise men. Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
I want to take a look at one of the greatest rewards of taking risks in life, and that is your risks may provide rewards for someone else. Many times when we step out in faith, trust God and take a risk, not only do we reap the rewards, but so do those around us. It is thanks to risk takers from generations past that we have cars, electricity, democracy, Christianity, and even your job. We are reaping the reward of their risks.
I want to focus on someone in the Bible I consider a risk taker. We don't have time to tell the whole story, but for sure, Daniel is a risk taker. In chapters Daniel 1-4 we see Daniel repeatedly standing up to the king taking risks that could have cost him his life. Because Daniel took risks, and because of his faith in God, he gained the king's respect. As a result, he was put in a high position in the kingdom. But that's not where his rewards ended. As the verse above says, Daniel was then able to get his three close friends appointed to high positions in the kingdom as well. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would never have been able to attain those positions without Daniel, and Daniel would never have been in a position to request his friends for those jobs without taking risks.
The story of Daniel shows me that maybe the reward of risk isn't always just for you. It shows me that if you don't take risks, it'll probably affect others. It proves that a person of risk is a person who lives for more than themselves. And although taking risks will benefit others, God always takes care of you too.
TODAY'S CHALLENGE
Start living intentionally and start living for more than yourself, and more than just today. See the risks in your life as the potential for not only your reward, but the opportunity to provide rewards for others. Read the chapters 1,2,3 and 4 in Daniel over the next few days or so. Take note at the ways Daniel took risk. As you look at Daniel remember that risk often takes you the opposite way that everyone else is going, but in the end you'll see the benefits no one else is seeing. Take risk, for you and for others.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Lord, today I determine to live a life of risk and without fear knowing that how I live today affects not only me, but has the potential to provide amazing opportunities and rewards for others. I want to be a person of faith and one who makes a difference in the world. I ask you to take away any fear in my life and give me a heart of boldness. I will never let fear of risk keep me from obeying you. In Jesus name, amen.
