Should I make a career change late in life? 

I was having breakfast with a friend. After a long, fairly successful career, he is pondering a career change–returning to his former career.

A Hard Decision

My friend is really torn. His current work situation provides great flexibility. It allows him to carry out a significant ministry at the church. It also gives him ample time for his family, and that’s important because he still has two teenagers at home. 

The only problem with his current position? It doesn’t provide enough income for his family to live the lifestyle they want to live. 

And so he faces a dilemma. The job offer on the table comes with a promise of greater income and more stable income. Of course, taking that job would also mean giving up much of the freedom he’s come to enjoy. For such a bump in salary, he’d be expected to work hard, and he’d have less flexibility with his schedule. He isn’t sure he likes the sound of that.

Some Hard Questions

In his soul-searching, my friend was asking good, but hard questions: “Am I just being a greedy, discontented Christian?” He mentioned others in his church who are living on much less income than he is currently making. “How much should my family be living on?” 

In so many words, what he basically said was: “The money in this new position would be great. But I’m not sure I want a heavier workload, longer hours, and less flexibility. So, it comes down to this: I don’t know if I’m being diligent in pursuing this job. Or if I’m just desiring riches. And I can’t tell if the reason I’m hesitant to take it is because I’m lazy?”

Once we got everything on the table, we went to work. We looked at his budget. As he explained the numbers, it was obvious he’s a conservative, fiscally responsible guy. 

But as we delved deeper into his current business and work habits, it became clear to me that he doesn’t always make the most of his time. Although he does a lot of good things outside his job, oftentimes he is not as productive in his job as he could be. He could be doing more to provide for his family. “Maybe you could stand to be a better boss of yourself?” I suggested.

Some Honest Evaluation

We decided to compare and contrast his two options.

First, we looked at the pluses and minuses of the new offer. 

• A more stable income would certainly be welcomed by his wife. 
• He also had to consider his ministry at church. If he had less time to devote to it, could the work be done by others? My suggestion was, “Since you have built up this ministry so well over the past few years, maybe it’s time for you to hand that responsibility over to others who are eager to serve?”
• As far as the job itself, there was the legitimate question of “Could I even be successful in my former profession after being out of it for so long?” (I told him I thought it would be like riding a bike–he would pick it back up fairly easily.)
• Finally, there was the question of what effect this job change would have on his family. (I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask “If you take this new job, will you have the emotional energy you need to invest in the lives of your two teenagers?”). We agreed he would pose that question to his wife: How attentive was I as a husband and father when I previously worked in this industry?

Next, we looked at the pros and cons of him staying where he is. 

• One negative is that there are elements of his current position that just do not fit him as a person.
• Another is that this misalignment hampers his earning potential. I told him, “It’s not realistic to think either of those things will change. If you stay where you are then you will have to be okay with lesser income. I’m not saying that decision is good or bad, right or wrong. I just want you to be realistic.”

What about you?

You may not be pondering a career change but, my friend’s dilemma prompts a question we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis: 

Where are the lines between laziness and diligence and greed? 

Wise old King Solomon observed: “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied” (Proverbs 13:4, ESV)

In short, to want something, but then do nothing to get it is foolish. That’s living in a fantasy world! On the other hand, diligence gets results. This principle is so important, Solomon repeats it again and again–so we won’t miss it.

“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor,” (Proverbs 12:24, ESV)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5, ESV) 

Clearly, laziness doesn’t lead to financial success. But what about when we go to the other extreme? What happens when we chase hard–too hard–after wealth?  

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul warns: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9, ESV)

That desire for “more,” can flesh itself out in some horrible ways. We’ve all heard stories or seen situations where people lost their families, their reputations, their health–and everything else that truly matters. All because they made money and possessions their highest priority, their goal, their great consuming passion.

At our breakfast, my friend brought up an individual he knows who runs a very successful business. Actually, this man has multiple ventures that all seem to be working out well. The problem is he seldom gets home before 8:00 o’clock every night!

My friend talked about the toll this lifestyle is taking on the man’s family. Obviously, he doesn’t want that for his life. 

Five Truths 

So, how can we think through tough issues like this: Here are five biblical truths I tell people (and tell myself) on this subject of money and “how much is enough”:

1. We do deserve to be compensated fairly for our labors (see Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18).
2. Whatever God has given you right now is enough, and we are called to be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves (Philippians 4:11-12). 
3. We’re called to wisely manage all that God has blessed us with–skills, abilities, resources, experiences, wisdom, etc. The Bible declares that he owns it all (Psalm 24:1). We’re simply stewards or managers of his blessings. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30? Jesus made it clear there that we will be accountable to God for how we used the things he’s entrusted to us.
4. Comparing our lifestyle and salary to others is a dangerous game. It either leaves us wanting what others have, feeling guilty because of how God has provided for us, or feeling prideful because we have more than others.
5. It is only as we “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), that we find ourselves compelled by the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14) to carry out his wishes.

And if you–like my friend–are pondering a transition…and weighing your options. Good for you! That’s smart. You obviously don’t want to let “laziness” dictate your decision. Nor do you want to be led by an unhealthy desire for wealth. (If you did, you wouldn’t be listening to or reading this!)

So pause to ask yourself, your spouse, and maybe a few trusted friends a few honest questions:

• What do you see in me? 
• Do my priorities seem out of whack? 
• Do you see me trying to shirk responsibility? 
• Do I show signs of discontent? 
• Do you see any evidence that I have an unhealthy desire for money and riches? 
• Where can I be most effective for God? 

Which of the options before me would be best for my family, for my relationships, and produce the least conflict with my church responsibilities and other commitments?

Prayerfully, honestly wrestle with all that, and I’m confident you’ll make a good, God-honoring decision.