Ability to Produce Wealth

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” – Deuteronomy 8:17-18 New International Version (NIV)

 

Despite the title, this is not a tutorial on how to make money. It’s more of a personal perspective on the hardships of life, particularly related to living – even just survival.

 

When I read Deuteronomy 8:17-18, I think back to my own work history. Majority of my work experience comes from part-time work at small businesses without accommodations related to my disability. Despite having experience, education and qualifications necessary, I have not yet been able to obtain full-time work with accommodations in big businesses.

 

This is the reality that we D/deaf population face. When it comes to finding work, discrimination is one of the hardest things we face. The world doesn’t know and rejects the love of Christ, which leads to apathy, discrimination, and downright cruelty towards others. If more people truly had the love of God in their hearts, I believe that the D/deaf population and those with disability(ies) would not face so many barriers and challenges.

 

I took on every work where I could, even though by law I should be getting sign language interpreters and I was barely getting by on lip-reading. From working with foster children, to energetic high school students, day care, and more recently, a law office, anything I had to do, I did it.

 

God helped me to do all the work with integrity, so I have to trust that He has a good plan. That even as I continue to apply for a stable full-time work with benefits and pay, He will provide the opportunity that I need. I just hope it’s soon because no matter where I apply, it is difficult to even get a foot through the door.

 

God blessed me with godly people, people willing in small businesses who were willing to give me a chance along the way. While the work opportunities were not full time with benefits and they expressed they couldn’t provide sign language interpreters, I just stuck with grit and determination. I had to. Discipline beats motivation any day.

 

This is what it means to hustle. And yes, some chances should be turned down (I am looking at you, pyramid scheme companies!!!!), try the best you can, to learn as much as you can. Because being D/deaf, you will, in the words of my former EM Pastor: “always have to work harder, smarter, and better than anybody else.”

 

Dear reader, whether D/deaf or hearing, disabled or not, may God give you the ability to produce wealth. When you finally get the job you need or want, don’t forget the One who brought you where you needed to be. Don’t forget where you came from, and keep ahead to where you are going. And always remember to serve others with the same love you received from Christ.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)

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