Some of the thoughts in this series are taken from a series by Bruce Wilkinson, Leading a Company For Christ
FINAL - OUR PLAN
"But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
We have been looking at God's plan for each of us as we participate in the marketplace. We discovered that a major problem for most believers was to understand the purpose of business. We live in a culture that saturates us with a world system that distracts us from God's purpose. His purpose is defined in the priesthood of all believers and that our main priority is to seek his kingdom first over the earthly kingdom. We are to use our business as a platform to demonstrate his principles and to share the glorious message of his redemption.
God reveals truth to us as believers. That truth creates an opportunity to grow spiritually and places us in a position that demands a response. Spiritual growth is not something represented in a straight line moving upward all the time. There are times when we hear the word of God, but because of our human nature we reject it. Thus, we stall for awhile until that truth sinks in and becomes a part of our character. Our growth may be more realistically defined as a line that starts upward, settles on a level plane, and then moves upward again to repeat the same process over and over.
As truth is revealed to us, we can accept it, think about it, or reject the truth. Thinking about it is not a real response. At some point, we either obey or disobey. Our business serves as a means to provide for all our needs and to exercise the gifts and realize the desires God has given each of us. God placed man in the original garden to work it and to be a place where God can fellowship with his children.That bond has been broken.
The truth is our business is a platform to rebuild that relationship. God has called some to leave the garden and go to other opportunities to minister. But he has left the rest of us in the garden to minister there.
Tim is a contractor who uses his business to minister to others by offering all his employees opportunities to participate in Christian marriage retreats at company expense. He holds a voluntary company Bible study each week. His purpose to glorify God is printed on all company literature.
Bob has a manufacturing business. Every employee is given a copy of the New Testament.
Howard is an employee in a financial institution. He organizes and invites friends and business associates to Christian men's retreats.
The number of men who are using their workplace to minister and share the message of Christ is gloriously to many to mention. Everyday men give away books, establish a prayer list among other employees, conduct Bible studies, pay for daycare for young mothers who work in their company, hire a full time minister as part of the company payroll, provide needed funds for hurting families and Christian organizations, and just take a stand for Biblical principles in their business life.
The truth is, God has blessed all of us in so many ways. Some have special gifts, others have life experiences we can share with others who are experiencing some of the same trials. We can use our money, our talents, our experiences, or just simply give someone an encouraging word.
In 1991 someone gave me a copy of MAN IN THE MIRROR by Patrick Morley. It made a tremendous impact on my life. Every year for 20 years I have given out that book to fellow business associates. It did not require any significant spiritual gift and the more I gave out the easier it got. I only relate that to show how we all can find some way to use our business as a means to build God's kingdom.
The truth is we have all been called to minister in the marketplace. Will we be obedient, think about it, or disobedient?
