Comments on: 5 Lies of Efficiency and Productivity

By: Carnival Of Personal Finance #249: Who’s Awesomest? Pirates Vs Ninjas Vs Nuns Vs Robots Vs Real Estate Agents Vs Zombies - Amateur Asset Allocator

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:06:26 +0000

[...] 5 Lies of Efficiency and Productivity by Money Help For Christians. Zombies know the the most efficient way to attack is to walk aimlessly and moan incomprehensibly so as to lure the victim into a false sense of security. Then BAM! Brain city. [...]

By: Week in Review: Spring Edition

Week in Review: Spring Edition — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:02:12 +0000

[...] @ Money Help for Christians reminds us not to fall into the trap of the 5 Lies of Efficiency and Productivity. [...]

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:02:30 +0000

Arthur,
There is a simplicity missing from life today. We have gained some great techonology, but we have also lost some wonderful things along the way.

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:01:29 +0000

Darren,
I think that most of us are more Martha – busy, busy, busy. So busy that we don’t have time to sit at Jesus’ feet.
The unconditional love of God is amazing.

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:52:49 +0000

What a timely article Craig. Regarding the first point, just yesterday, in service our pastor spoke about how we’re such an action-oriented society that we sometimes fail to take a step back and listen for the voice of God. I know I’m guilty of this, and need to break this habit.

With your second point, it’s so true that people are way more important than things, but it’s such a challenge for me to remember and live out daily.

The same thing goes with grace. I think I need to be reminded often that God loves us unconditionally, in spite of what we do, what we accomplish, or our job title.

@lencib
Just some thoughts here. Maybe you could find satisfaction or value in making your home a nice place to dwell, and being a loving and Godly wife to your husband (though this is not to say that you’re not already doing these things)?
.-= Darren´s last blog ..How to Calculate Your Social Security Benefits =-.

By: Arthur @ FinancialBondage.org

Arthur @ FinancialBondage.org — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:19:29 +0000

We have more technology and luxuries than our parents and certainly our grandparents ever did, but so many people today seem over worked, stressed out, on the edge, unhappy, overly busy, no time for family/friends. Sometimes I wonder if life was easier and simpler before TV, radio, Internet, cell phones, the automobile. My grandmother was born in 1908. Her upbringing was much different than mine. Times have changed. I am not so sure for the better.

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:27:14 +0000

@Charlie
Your right that the focus is about doing what needs to be done to build relationships. Most of the time I think people do what needs to be done to build up themselves. It is impossible to have a healthy relationship without doing. Great point.
@Paul
You comment made me wonder what Jesus would have been like in the 21st century. Would he have been a time management guru? Would he be taking care of his Tweets in the car? Or would he be the guy who was sitting in the living room having a causal conversation with someone? Its hard for me to see Jesus getting all caught up in accomplishments.
The Good Samaritan is a great example because those examples had something to do that become more important than showings God’s compassion.
@lencib
It is really hard for wives who stay at home. I think as a society we need to do a better job honoring in the ‘accomplishments’ of moms who stay home. I’m thankful for the sacrifice you are making.
@Kevin
I do think too many of us have a hero complex. It might not be that hard work and efficiency is the problem, but the fact that we do it all for ourselves not for God.
Psalm 46:10 is a great verse for us to reflect on.

By: Kevin@OutOfY0urRut

Kevin@OutOfY0urRut — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:06:38 +0000

We’re all about hero’s, and we all want to be one. Inside we know we’re just regular folks, so the only way to make up the gap is by running faster and jumping higher.

The ultimate lie of efficency and productivity is that if done fully, we’ll make ourselves unnecessary! That’s what’s increasingly playing out in the business world. In the process, we don’t know our neighbors and count few as true friends. How tragic!

I like the line from the Alabama song, “…all I gotta do is live and die, I’m in a hurry and don’t know why..”

Now let me wander up to the edge of that cliff again…

I think that what’s at the core of the drive to accomplish–and I’d add to accumulate–is the unspoken and completely irrational notion that it will somehow enable us to cheat death, or at least to live a lot longer. Closer to concious thinking, we might believe that if we have enough power (money, fame, adoration) we’ll be able to marshal the resources and advantages that will enable us to over come that which has consumed others.

One of my favorite verses in the heat of battle: “Be still, and know that I am God” Ps 46:10

What’s the big hurry???
.-= Kevin@OutOfY0urRut´s last blog ..Should You Use Retirement Savings to Pay Off Debt? =-.

By: lencib

lencib — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:21:42 +0000

I agree about how in North America we are known and valued by what we accomplish, what we do: as far as career/jobs. Thats why its been a struggle being a stay-at-home-wife (if by choice or situation), since many people place value on work/doing/making money. Great post, something to think about.

By: Paul Williams

Paul Williams — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:30:45 +0000

Awesome article, Craig! I was reading this in my feed reader and opened it in a new window because I knew just from the beginning that it was so good I’d want to comment.

I’m definitely guilty of this myself. It really is an American mindset, too. Other people see time as something that’s renewed every day (until you’re dead). It’s not a finite resource except in the minds of Americans. As Christians, shouldn’t we see that time is infinite? We are promised eternal life with God. We will not run out of time.

That shouldn’t be a disincentive that keeps us from doing God’s work while we’re alive on Earth either. But it should help us realize that relationships are more important than accomplishments. It should show us that people are more valuable than to-do lists. I wonder how many of us (including myself) wouldn’t stop to help someone in need on the way to church because we don’t want to be late? Or on our way to anywhere? Isn’t that the same problem Jesus pointed out in The Good Samaritan?

Thanks for this, Craig! It was really encouraging to me – especially since I feel busy this coming week!!!
.-= Paul Williams´s last blog ..What Caused the Economic Downturn? How Do We Rebound? =-.