Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Envy Not the Oppressor

by Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 3:31

The 10th commandment instructs us to not covet anything that belongs to our neighbor. To covet is to have a strong desire for something that does not belong to us. Covetousness is birthed out of envy. To envy is to have a grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another. It is resentment towards the success of another. The Bible warns us against envy since the Lord knows that it will produce covetous spirit in us. Covetousness produces the spirit of materialism which leads us to put things above God. Once we do that, we violate another commandment; "you shall have no other gods before Me" Exodus 20:3.

Biblical Entrepreneurs, especially, must guard against envy since they are in the marketplace which is full of individuals who have achieved earthly success without God. Some of those individuals have even used God to achieve their success without necessarily employing His ways or worshipping Him as God.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 23:17

Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company. Proverbs 24:1

You may ask why anyone would envy someone who does not share his or her values. The answer is simple - money, power, possessions and influence. Although most believers would openly admit that they would never cheat, lie, steal or use ungodly tactics in their business practices, many envy or admire those who do and who have acquired money, power, possessions and influence through those tactics. The more admiration believers have for those in the world, the more vulnerable they are to employing their ways to achieve success. Who are your marketplace heroes? Which leaders do you admire? What ways have they employed to achieve their success?

Why is God warning believers not to envy individuals who do not reflect their values? Because it will lead them to choosing their ways. Yes, if you envy someone long enough you will eventually employ his methods and practices to achieve his results.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

During my years in high school I had a friend named Jason. We both attended a private Christian high school. Jason was born and raised in a Christian household, but I was not. We had been taught about the dangers of drugs. One year Jason attended summer school because he had failed some courses during the school year. While in summer school, he met a young entrepreneur whose business was in the pharmaceutical industry; he sold illegal drugs. He drove an SUV that we all envied, and had money, power, possessions and influence. Jason soon became friends with him with no intentions of ever participating in his lifestyle or joining him in the business. Within 6 months of their relationship, Jason was arrested for selling illegal drugs. This led Jason to be placed under house arrest, which meant he was being monitored by the police from his home at all times. However, he violated it with my help since we did not understand the consequences of our actions. Jason ended up in prison. He was later released but was later arrested and sent back to prison. The next time he was released, he was shot and killed because in prison he further took on the ways of those who did not share his values. Jason swore he would never sell drugs but because of envy; a desire for the money, power, possessions and influence of another, he chose his ways. This ignorant act led to him losing his life at the age of 21.

How then do we avoid envying the oppressor? Reject his benefits. Reject the money, the power, possessions and influence. As a Biblical Entrepreneur you must say in your heart, "if the only way for me to get money, power, possessions and influence is to employ the ways of the oppressor, I reject them." Remember, the Scripture teaches us that it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot without right Proverbs 16:8. By rejecting the benefits of the oppressor, you are committing to choose the ways of God as the only option you have to obtain money, power, possessions, and influence. God is not against you having money, power, possessions, and influence, all He wants is for you to acquire them by seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He wants us to, "delight ourselves in [Him] and He will give [us] the desires of [our] heart[s]" Psalm 37:4. He wants us to choose "godliness with contentment" with the promise that it will achieve "great gain" 1 Timothy 6:6.

Patrice Tsague is the Founder of
Nehemiah Project International Ministries.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Ups and Downs of Business in Central Asia

One of our friends, Melody, is currently in Central Asia working with a small business venture. She writes of various joys and trials she is experiencing in her 2nd home. Relationships bring depth and richness to her life... and disappointment, at times. Supplies are running low and a trip will be taken to a neighboring country for restocking. (Yet another culture to learn about!) Local women are gaining skills in the trade, and one has excelled to such a degree that she will be able to train others.

Please pray for Melody in these areas:

-Wisdom in directing this business
-Continued favor in the local community and with families of those working in this business
-Safety in travel to pick up more supplies
-Good business contacts in-country, in the US, and around the world
-Protection with regard to abusive phone calls
-A partner to share in the work
-New believers and the challenges they face in pressing on, wisdom in practicing their faith, and for growth.

Monday, May 19, 2008

The Origin of Commerce

by Patrice Tsague, NPIM

"Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground" Genesis 4:17b - 19a.

Adam not sinned, everything we need to provide for our natural needs would be free. There would be no need for currency, banks, or even businesses as we know them today. According to Genesis 2:15 -17, when God created man, He placed him in the Garden of Eden to care for it and instructed him to eat from any tree in the garden that he desired, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The consequence of disobedience would be death.

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die" Genesis 2:15-17.

What did this really mean? Most of us do not really understand what we had before we lost it all. During this time, man was in perfect communion with God. He had to work, but not as a condition to provide for himself but rather as an act of obedience to His creator. I would image that work brought man fulfillment and a sense of joy without any burden. Man's provision was unconditionally free of charge. Whether he worked or not, he would be able to have all of His needs met by his loving Creator. What an opportunity! No 9-5, no bills, no creditors, no need to worry about asking for leave from your employer. This truly was heaven on earth. I am not sure how long this lasted, but we soon learn that Eve - with Adam standing right beside her - is tempted by the devil to eat the forbidden fruit which she gives to Adam and he commits high treason. He violates the very instructions of the Creator; he eats of the fruit without asking any questions. When I get to heaven after meeting Jesus, the next people I want to meet are Adam and Eve. I will have a few earthly words for them. How could they so selfishly consider only themselves, their temporary pleasure, and their temporary satisfaction at the expenses of so many peoples' destinies?

The consequence of this act was not only a break in fellowship with their Creator, but the introduction of commerce into God's economy.

To Adam He said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:17-19

With commerce also came the transformation of the ground from a blessed ground that cooperates with man and yields perfect crops, to a cursed ground which yields thorns and thistles and requires a lot of effort before it produces.

Commerce is the trade of something of economic value such as goods, services, information, or money between two or more entities. Commerce is necessary when work becomes mandatory as a condition for provision. Prior to sin, work was not mandatory as a condition for provision therefore there was no need for commerce. After sin, not only does work become necessary as a condition for provision, but the ground now requires effort to yield good crops. All this is what made the Apostle Paul declare in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." This means that eating without working is a violation of God's Word.

Though commerce is a consequence of sin, it has redemptive qualities; you know that a loving God would not require us to do something without an ultimate positive value for us. Once man sinned, he could no longer appreciate God's creation. Work creates an internal sense of appreciation for the creation of God. Without it, there would be waste and greater abuse of God's resources because man lost automatic appreciation because of sin. Though the curse of the ground brought labor pains and burdens, the coming of Jesus Christ brought us rest and fulfillment.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28 - 29

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The DOs and DONTs of Marketing and Sales

by Patrice Tsague, NPIM

But I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Marketing and sales from a biblical approach is a process of identifying markets and developing tools consistent with the Word of God to inform a specific target market about the availability and benefits of your product or service which results in the exchange of goods or services for an amount of money or its equivalent. What are the do's and don'ts of a biblical approach to marketing and sales.

DO'S

Market Consistently. Marketing is about consistency. You must establish a schedule of how and where you are going to market based on your target market and the type of business you are in.

Market According to the Purpose of Your Heart. Remember what your motivation is for being in business. Your motivation must not be money, but rather to serve others while glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. What is the purpose of your heart? Is it truly to serve the people or is it to make a lot of money?

Market Cheerfully. Enthusiasm fuels the sale and causes your customer to become curious about your product or service. If you are not excited about your product or service, why should anyone else be? Be cheerful about your product or service.

Market to the Spirit and Not to the Flesh. Never, under any circumstance, use ungodly marketing approaches to draw customers to your business. The world uses the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life to entice people to its products or services. You must focus on the benefits of your product or service and emphasize the need it meets in people's lives.

Be Kind to Potential Customers. You never know who will be that next customer or who will refer that next customer to you. Exercise kindness to everyone the Lord brings in your path, whether they buy something from you or not. Every seed you sow will work towards your harvest.

Be Patient. Patience is God's plan to give you everything that he has in store for you according to His will for your life. There will be difficult times but remain patient and trust in God who gave you the strategy and called you to be in business.

Trust God for the Harvest. After you have done all you can, you must trust the Lord to bring the harvest. You must have confidence in the fact that if you have done all you can in the natural and have remained in right standing with Him, in due time, He will cause the harvest to come forth.

DON'TS

Do Not Market Grudgingly (Reluctantly). Do not begin the process of marketing a product or service with uncertainty. This can create the impression that you do not believe in your own product. This could also impact your enthusiasm; so make sure you eliminate anything that can cause you to be reluctant or hesitant.

Do Not Market out of Necessity. The worst time to begin a marketing and sales campaign is when you are in great need. The time of great need is when most gimmicks are created to sell as many products as possible.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Marketing and Sales, a Biblical Approach

-Patrice Tsague, NPIM

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" - Genesis 3:1

Who made the first sales transaction ever recorded in the Bible? What was the product? What was the price? Who was the customer? The first sales transaction ever recorded in scripture was made by the devil himself who came in the form of a serpent. The product was a fruit that promised to provide God-like characteristics. The price was the life of man. The customer was Eve.

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:1-6

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Genesis 2:16-17

The strategy the devil used to turn Eve into a customer is the same strategy that is used today by Madison Avenue to turn us into customers. This same strategy has been adopted by many entrepreneurs and sales people as they attempt to build their customer base. This strategy has its genesis in craftiness. The goal is not to satisfy the customer but rather to make a sales transaction. It uses false and misleading information to achieve its end. It promises something that the product and service can never deliver. It uses the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life as its basic principles. It conceals the fine prints until the transaction has occurred. The conclusion is often a reduction in the quality of the customer's life. Customers are enticed into purchasing a product or service that they either do not need, cannot afford or is bad for them. What the devil failed to tell Eve was that she was already made in the image and likeness of God.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Mathew 16:26

Biblical Entrepreneurs do not have to limit themselves to operating in business using the devil's tactics. God has provided a biblical approach to marketing and sales. This approach defines marketing as sowing and sales as reaping. Sowing is the process of planting seeds to prepare for future growth, while Reaping is gathering the ripe harvest generated from the seeds planted. Marketing and sales from a biblical approach is a process of identifying markets and developing tools consistent with the Word of God to inform a specific target market about the availability and benefits of your product or service, which results in the exchange of goods or services for an amount of money or its equivalent.

Just as marketing is essential to generate customers, sowing is essential to generate a harvest. The harvest generated by God through the seed sown by the Biblical Entrepreneur is the prospective customers who then must be reaped through sales. Sales turn potential customers into actual clients. In Genesis 3 the devil sowed deceit and reaped destruction and enmity. What are you sowing? What method are you using to generate your customers? Remember whatsoever you sow that you will also reap.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. -Galatians 6:7-8