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  • Virginia Brown

Tradeoffs

I am not an economist, but I enjoy reading them. My favorite is Thomas Sowell. He makes this profound comment I’d like us to consider:


“There are no solutions, only tradeoffs. You try to get the best trade-offs

you can get. That’s all you can hope for.”


Though Sowell does not communicate this idea from a Christian perspective, his comment still proves accurate.


With every decision we make, there is some cost we accrue. In this fallen and broken world, suffering is inevitable. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, no matter what decision you make, difficulty will ensue. The Bible even says that following Christ will result in hardship (2 Tim 3:12). Certainly, that is a tradeoff we should accept, but, nevertheless, it is a tradeoff.


Biblical wisdom entails growing in our understanding of the tradeoffs of life. Biblical wisdom entails matching our expectations to the difficulties of life. Don’t seek perfect solutions. They don’t exist. Seek God-honoring tradeoffs. A life of no difficulty or suffering is coming (Rev 21:4), but we’re not there yet. In the meantime, choose the tradeoff that most glorifies the Lord.


Pastor Chance


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