Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matthew 19:21
I am often told, "I'm a Christian and operate my business ethically. I'm fair to my employees, take good care of my customers and do not cheat on my taxes; why do I still need to take the Biblical Entrepreneurship course?" What else do people who are already running their businesses in a biblical manner need to learn about doing business God's way?
In the gospels of Mathew, Mark and Luke, there is a story of a rich young ruler who approaches Jesus to request what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus' response to him is that he must keep the commandments; he must not murder, he must not commit adultery, he must not steal, he must not bear false witness, he must honor his mother and father, and he must love his neighbor as himself. The young ruler's response to Jesus was that he has kept all these commandments from his youth. He wanted Jesus to let him know what else he lacked. Jesus tells him to sell what he has and give to the poor; by so doing he would store up treasures in heaven, and then to follow Him. But the young man, after hearing those words from Jesus, becomes sad and walks away because he is very rich.
The young ruler had been ethical based on the standards of his time. However, that was not good enough for Jesus because in the kingdom we must move beyond ethics to righteousness. Ethics is defined as the principles relating to right and wrong conduct or morality. Ethics limits itself to right and wrong based on societal standards or the acceptable standard by the majority, while righteousness focuses on being right with God. Righteousness is a lifestyle based on God's acceptable standards alone. Righteousness has no bearing on the acceptable practices of man; rather, it seeks to draw us closer to becoming like God. Like the rich young ruler, many of us have limited ourselves to being ethical rather than seeking righteousness. Here is the difference between ethics and righteousness.
Ethics
• I operate my business based on acceptable moral conduct.
• I seek to be fair to everyone.
• I follow the law of the land and the guidelines of my industry.
• I seek to please others.
• I pay my taxes and give to the poor.
• Man is good and just needs to be guided.
• There can be several ways to get to God; you just have to find the right one for you.
Righteousness
• I operate my business based on God's standard.
• I seek to be just.
• I make sure I obey God's word while adhering to the law of the land.
• I seek to please God.
• I pay my taxes, tithe, and give generously as God directs me.
• I believe man is sinful and needs salvation.
• There is only one way to God - Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, the more ethical a person is, the more difficult it is to get him or her to understand the need for the Savior. Such people believe that if they do all the right things there is no need for a savior. The rich young ruler was willing to do everything for God, except submit to God. What was most precious to him? His possessions. All those who limit themselves to ethics give up everything except that which is most important to them, while those who seek to be righteous turn everything to God and are prepared to follow Him wherever He leads.
Where are you in your spiritual journey? Are you prepared to move beyond ethics and trust God with everything?
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The responsibility of an entrepreneur...
"In China, an entrepreneur's top responsibility is to keep his own business sound, to fulfill taxation payments, and create jobs. This is also out of a philanthropist heart." -billionaire Guo Jinshu, China
What's this about? Well, evidently Bill Gates and Warren Buffet had a meeting with some of China's richest today to talk about philanthropy...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100929/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_gates_buffett
Personally, I don't think it's either/or, but certainly Mr. Guo has a point.
Other thoughts?
-skye
What's this about? Well, evidently Bill Gates and Warren Buffet had a meeting with some of China's richest today to talk about philanthropy...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100929/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_gates_buffett
Personally, I don't think it's either/or, but certainly Mr. Guo has a point.
Other thoughts?
-skye
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
RCE's Entrepreneur-in-Residence spearheads new venture
Tom Stansbury, RCE Entrepreneur-in-Residence, is spearheading a Kingdom business initiative in a joint venture with Nelson's Food Service Corporation and a residential men's ministry called The Refuge - working with men struggling with alcohol, drug and homeless issues that create barriers to employment.
RCE is making this project our primary domestic initiative, with Tom assisting with capital acquisition, business model development and implementation, and on the ground entrepreneurial support building the Nelson's brand with men from The Refuge in markets throughout Ohio. Men who were once on the street struggling with addictions, homeless, and cast-off, are being transformed into responsible men of God who find healing and are mentored and discipled in a Kingdom business; they will be trained to ultimately operate Nelson's Catering locations much like the Chick-Fil-A model.
We will be expanding this unique catering and fundraising business model throughout the state of Ohio in Phase 1, and if the speed to market strategies prove successful, national opportunities exist to expand into additional states and cities across America.
RCE is making this project our primary domestic initiative, with Tom assisting with capital acquisition, business model development and implementation, and on the ground entrepreneurial support building the Nelson's brand with men from The Refuge in markets throughout Ohio. Men who were once on the street struggling with addictions, homeless, and cast-off, are being transformed into responsible men of God who find healing and are mentored and discipled in a Kingdom business; they will be trained to ultimately operate Nelson's Catering locations much like the Chick-Fil-A model.
We will be expanding this unique catering and fundraising business model throughout the state of Ohio in Phase 1, and if the speed to market strategies prove successful, national opportunities exist to expand into additional states and cities across America.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Embrace Your Privilege
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a bond servant and coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7
Privilege is defined as a special advantage or immunity not embraced by all, or a right reserved exclusively for a particular person or group. Throughout the history of mankind, there has always been a group of people who were more privileged than others. In many situations there are several individuals who enjoy certain privileges based on their position, their family, or their personal accomplishments. Having groups or individuals who are privileged is not something that was invented by man. Throughout the Bible, we see groups and individuals who enjoy special advantages or rights because of their relationship with God. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came as one who was privileged. He enjoyed special advantages as the only begotten Son of God; being God in the flesh and having all powers under His command. The key to privilege is not the privilege itself but rather how you use the privilege. Jesus did not deny or reject His privilege but used it to fulfill the will of His father. He was not ashamed of it but rather through meekness, called upon His privilege to achieve the mission He was given to accomplish.
There are many believers who find themselves privileged because of the family they are born into, the country they are from, or just by the mere fact that that they have accomplished success in their vocation or business; however, they are ashamed or feel guilty that they are able to enjoy certain privileges or rights that others do not have. Like Jesus Christ, you must not be ashamed of your privilege but rather embrace it and seek the Lord as to how you ought to use that privilege to fulfill His will in the earth realm.
By the grace of God I grew up privileged, the son of a successful business woman and politician. My family enjoyed the privileges of the ruling class of my country. Because of this privilege, I was able to come to the United States and enjoyed a certain education early in my development; I had certain exposure to business and government that the average person does not have. I enjoyed relationships with individuals who inspired me to believe in myself and pursue my dreams. With this privilege came a responsibility; thank God I had a mother who taught us about the responsibility of privilege. Your privilege is not so that you can enjoy the finest things in life, but rather so that you can be of service to others. Coming to Christ brought an eternal dimension to this concept. Every child of God is privileged. The Bible tells us that we are joint heirs with Christ, we are kings and priests and God has given us stewardship over the works of His hands. What a privilege! Someone more powerful then my mother, richer then Bill Gates, and wiser than Einstein, has made us joint heirs with His only begotten Son. He has made us to be kings and priests, meaning that we are little rulers in our own right and can come to Him boldly for spiritual matters. He also placed His resources at our disposal. Wow!
Embrace your privilege and understand the awesome responsibility that comes with it. Do not be ashamed nor feel guilty about it, rather, ask God why He privileged you and how you ought to use that privilege for His glory. Thank God for men and women of God who have historically used their privilege to accomplish God's will in the earth. Should your business become a financial success so that your children and grand children enjoy the privileges I enjoyed, make sure they understand the responsibility of privilege and its eternal implications so they may build upon your legacy to continue to advance the will of God in the earth realm.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Privilege is defined as a special advantage or immunity not embraced by all, or a right reserved exclusively for a particular person or group. Throughout the history of mankind, there has always been a group of people who were more privileged than others. In many situations there are several individuals who enjoy certain privileges based on their position, their family, or their personal accomplishments. Having groups or individuals who are privileged is not something that was invented by man. Throughout the Bible, we see groups and individuals who enjoy special advantages or rights because of their relationship with God. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came as one who was privileged. He enjoyed special advantages as the only begotten Son of God; being God in the flesh and having all powers under His command. The key to privilege is not the privilege itself but rather how you use the privilege. Jesus did not deny or reject His privilege but used it to fulfill the will of His father. He was not ashamed of it but rather through meekness, called upon His privilege to achieve the mission He was given to accomplish.
There are many believers who find themselves privileged because of the family they are born into, the country they are from, or just by the mere fact that that they have accomplished success in their vocation or business; however, they are ashamed or feel guilty that they are able to enjoy certain privileges or rights that others do not have. Like Jesus Christ, you must not be ashamed of your privilege but rather embrace it and seek the Lord as to how you ought to use that privilege to fulfill His will in the earth realm.
By the grace of God I grew up privileged, the son of a successful business woman and politician. My family enjoyed the privileges of the ruling class of my country. Because of this privilege, I was able to come to the United States and enjoyed a certain education early in my development; I had certain exposure to business and government that the average person does not have. I enjoyed relationships with individuals who inspired me to believe in myself and pursue my dreams. With this privilege came a responsibility; thank God I had a mother who taught us about the responsibility of privilege. Your privilege is not so that you can enjoy the finest things in life, but rather so that you can be of service to others. Coming to Christ brought an eternal dimension to this concept. Every child of God is privileged. The Bible tells us that we are joint heirs with Christ, we are kings and priests and God has given us stewardship over the works of His hands. What a privilege! Someone more powerful then my mother, richer then Bill Gates, and wiser than Einstein, has made us joint heirs with His only begotten Son. He has made us to be kings and priests, meaning that we are little rulers in our own right and can come to Him boldly for spiritual matters. He also placed His resources at our disposal. Wow!
Embrace your privilege and understand the awesome responsibility that comes with it. Do not be ashamed nor feel guilty about it, rather, ask God why He privileged you and how you ought to use that privilege for His glory. Thank God for men and women of God who have historically used their privilege to accomplish God's will in the earth. Should your business become a financial success so that your children and grand children enjoy the privileges I enjoyed, make sure they understand the responsibility of privilege and its eternal implications so they may build upon your legacy to continue to advance the will of God in the earth realm.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Monday, September 13, 2010
From the Road...
(by Patrice Tsague)
Greetings friends,
It is now around 2 AM Monday morning in Freetown Sierra Leone and I’m standing on my hotel balcony looking at the Pacific Ocean while doing some last minutes phone calls and emails before turning in for our last night here in Freetown. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be used by the Lord to impact nations and advance his kingdom on earth. I had a chance to meet with several people who shared with me the impact that BE and Nehemiah/Bethel Sierra Leone has had in their lives and family in less than 1 year since it has been here in Sierra Leone.
• A young Muslim committed his life to Christ though he is facing persecution from his family he is determine to persevere. During this trip we help him get a short term job so he can earn $130 to pay the balance on his school tuition so he can get he can graduation from College and find a place to stay.
• A young man who serve in the Hotel where we usually stay was scholarship by us to attend the BE classes shared how it changed his mindset concerning doing business and he is now planning on starting his own business so he can one day leave the hotel to run his own business.
• A woman shared with us how since BE her business has expanded she is now planning on taking her first trip to London next week to export her products there
• A young man who in the Timber business shared how he now has the opportunity to work with and learn from a large Timber Company in the US. A dream come true. He never thought it could ever happen to him.
• The highlight for me was when we announce the winner of the business plan competition. A young woman who has no mother and father and has build a Beauty Salon for women hair. She held on to Rod Friesen for at least 5 mns praising God and kept saying thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank Jesus.
Yes, thank Jesus for using all of us to help others build sustainable enterprises to transform their lives, community and nation. We will send you pictures later this week.
I arrived here last week Tuesday with Rod Friesen for their first BE Business Plan Competition and Graduation as well I was ask to teach the first National Men’s Conference hosted by Bethel World Outreach Int’l in Sierra Leone. Our trip has been truly rewarding and fruitful. It was Rod’s first time in Africa and he is looking forward to returning again. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Judge the first business plan competition with 13 students presenting their business plans
a. 1st place was a women Hair Styling and Manicure Salon that employs 4 people with several interns - their prize was an invitation to compete in the Int’l business plan competition in 2011 at NPIM Weekend and visit Dudley Corporation the US leading manufacturer of cosmetic products and beauty care for Africa Americans.
b. 2nd place was an IT company – their prize was $100.00 cash
c. 3rd was a high end Fashion and Apparel company - their prize was $50 cash
2. Conducted the graduation during the Sunday service with 21 graduates
3. We conducted a men’s conference for three days on the topic of “How to fulfill the dominion mandate in your Government, Business and Family .
4. Review the loan package with the local team to prepare them to submit the application for their first initial $10K loan to fund at 5 of the businesses with loan sizes averaging $2000.00 each at 12% interest. Our goal is to have the loan fund operational here by Nov 1st 2010
5. We also brought product with us 3 business opportunities for Nehemiah Sierra Leone and the Biblical Entrepreneur students to consider through one of our US partners Affirm Global. They will be conducting a test market of these products to determine its viability in the local market.
a. An agricultural products to increase crop production
b. A water filter
c. A Solar Powered Night Lamp
6. We reviewed the developments of several projects that have been initiated by US Biblical Entrepreneur and GA Repple Advisor Steve Mc Cain. Mc Cain has already conducted two visit here since we brought him earlier this year and brought several people with him. They working on the following:
a. A timber company
b. Coal mining
c. Electricity
7. We attended a monthly meeting with the Full Gospel Business International of Sierra Leone where we shared our vision for country and they have agreed to partner with Nehemiah Sierra Leone to build kingdom businesses throughout the nation
8. We met with the Executive Secretary of the Agro Business Chamber of Commerce and discuss using biblical Entrepreneurship to train over 500 famers to enhance their business skills and create partnership to grow their businesses.
9. We are leaving today (Monday) to return back to the US but we will make a stop in Ghana to meet with a Pastor in Ghana who want to discuss how to bring BE into Ghana. We will arrive in the US Tuesday afternoon.
Please keep us in your prayers for safe traveling mercies. We look forward to being with you next week at NPIM Weekend. Thank you for your continue sacrifice and support to build kingdom businesses around the world.
Patrice Tsague
Chief Servant Officer
http://www.nehemiahproject.org/
Greetings friends,
It is now around 2 AM Monday morning in Freetown Sierra Leone and I’m standing on my hotel balcony looking at the Pacific Ocean while doing some last minutes phone calls and emails before turning in for our last night here in Freetown. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be used by the Lord to impact nations and advance his kingdom on earth. I had a chance to meet with several people who shared with me the impact that BE and Nehemiah/Bethel Sierra Leone has had in their lives and family in less than 1 year since it has been here in Sierra Leone.
• A young Muslim committed his life to Christ though he is facing persecution from his family he is determine to persevere. During this trip we help him get a short term job so he can earn $130 to pay the balance on his school tuition so he can get he can graduation from College and find a place to stay.
• A young man who serve in the Hotel where we usually stay was scholarship by us to attend the BE classes shared how it changed his mindset concerning doing business and he is now planning on starting his own business so he can one day leave the hotel to run his own business.
• A woman shared with us how since BE her business has expanded she is now planning on taking her first trip to London next week to export her products there
• A young man who in the Timber business shared how he now has the opportunity to work with and learn from a large Timber Company in the US. A dream come true. He never thought it could ever happen to him.
• The highlight for me was when we announce the winner of the business plan competition. A young woman who has no mother and father and has build a Beauty Salon for women hair. She held on to Rod Friesen for at least 5 mns praising God and kept saying thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank Jesus.
Yes, thank Jesus for using all of us to help others build sustainable enterprises to transform their lives, community and nation. We will send you pictures later this week.
I arrived here last week Tuesday with Rod Friesen for their first BE Business Plan Competition and Graduation as well I was ask to teach the first National Men’s Conference hosted by Bethel World Outreach Int’l in Sierra Leone. Our trip has been truly rewarding and fruitful. It was Rod’s first time in Africa and he is looking forward to returning again. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Judge the first business plan competition with 13 students presenting their business plans
a. 1st place was a women Hair Styling and Manicure Salon that employs 4 people with several interns - their prize was an invitation to compete in the Int’l business plan competition in 2011 at NPIM Weekend and visit Dudley Corporation the US leading manufacturer of cosmetic products and beauty care for Africa Americans.
b. 2nd place was an IT company – their prize was $100.00 cash
c. 3rd was a high end Fashion and Apparel company - their prize was $50 cash
2. Conducted the graduation during the Sunday service with 21 graduates
3. We conducted a men’s conference for three days on the topic of “How to fulfill the dominion mandate in your Government, Business and Family .
4. Review the loan package with the local team to prepare them to submit the application for their first initial $10K loan to fund at 5 of the businesses with loan sizes averaging $2000.00 each at 12% interest. Our goal is to have the loan fund operational here by Nov 1st 2010
5. We also brought product with us 3 business opportunities for Nehemiah Sierra Leone and the Biblical Entrepreneur students to consider through one of our US partners Affirm Global. They will be conducting a test market of these products to determine its viability in the local market.
a. An agricultural products to increase crop production
b. A water filter
c. A Solar Powered Night Lamp
6. We reviewed the developments of several projects that have been initiated by US Biblical Entrepreneur and GA Repple Advisor Steve Mc Cain. Mc Cain has already conducted two visit here since we brought him earlier this year and brought several people with him. They working on the following:
a. A timber company
b. Coal mining
c. Electricity
7. We attended a monthly meeting with the Full Gospel Business International of Sierra Leone where we shared our vision for country and they have agreed to partner with Nehemiah Sierra Leone to build kingdom businesses throughout the nation
8. We met with the Executive Secretary of the Agro Business Chamber of Commerce and discuss using biblical Entrepreneurship to train over 500 famers to enhance their business skills and create partnership to grow their businesses.
9. We are leaving today (Monday) to return back to the US but we will make a stop in Ghana to meet with a Pastor in Ghana who want to discuss how to bring BE into Ghana. We will arrive in the US Tuesday afternoon.
Please keep us in your prayers for safe traveling mercies. We look forward to being with you next week at NPIM Weekend. Thank you for your continue sacrifice and support to build kingdom businesses around the world.
Patrice Tsague
Chief Servant Officer
http://www.nehemiahproject.org/
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Birds of the Field
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Which of you by worrying can add a cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:26)
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, man's foundational needs are physiological. These needs - food, drink, and clothing - are the literal requirements for human survival. If they are not met, the human body cannot continue to survive. Although Maslow's hierarchy is incomplete - in that it does not include man's need for God - it does speak to those natural elements that cause man to worry and become anxious. Nothing creates anxiety and worry like the feeling that one will run out of food and natural provision.
This is why Jesus addresses this issue head-on during His Sermon on the Mount. He states in Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" As if that were not enough, He continues in verse 26 to challenge us to look at the birds of the air and learn from them.
What can we learn from birds?
Jesus states, "For they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them." Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn't this a violation of God's economic principles of sowing and reaping? The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in II Thessalonians 3:10b, that "If anyone will not work, neither should he eat." God Himself states in Genesis 3:19a "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground."
Why does God give birds preferential treatment? He does not. Jesus is teaching us about a law higher than the law of sowing and reaping--the law of sovereignty. The law of sovereignty is God's complete authority and power over His entire universe. The way laws work is that any law can be overridden by a higher law. For instance, according to the law, it is illegal to drive past a red traffic light. However, if there is a policeman driving his car with his siren on, not only can he pass the red light, but if you are blocking his car, you must move to make way for him.
The law of sowing and reaping states that if a man will not work (sow), he shall not eat (reap). The law of sovereignty, however, states that God has authority and rule over the entire creation, and He will provide for anyone He chooses in any way He chooses. The lesson here is that if God can feed a non-working bird that is not made in His image and likeness, what about you and me, who not only are made in His image and likeness, but also work to bring Him glory?
Why did Jesus use this example? I imagine that He was ministering to people who were worried about their provision, not necessarily because they were not willing to work, but perhaps because they could not find jobs as a result of discrimination towards Jews in a Roman colony.
In their day, just like today, there was possibly limited job availability. Maybe there were people who had jobs, but who were not making enough money to meet their basic needs. As one of my friends puts it, they had more days in the month than they had money. I am sure that there were businessmen in His midst who were unfairly and heavily taxed which impacted their profitability. Some may have been forced to close their businesses, and others may have faced low demand since customers themselves were economically challenged.
The questions the people must have asked Jesus were, "How will we feed ourselves and our families? How will we pay our workers and pay our expenses?" Jesus responded by saying, "Do not worry; do not be anxious; do not take the problem into your own hands. God has not forsaken you; man does not live by bread alone."
To illustrate His point, He pointed to the birds of the air. God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Sustainer of life, the Creator of all things, the Faithful Wonder Himself feeds them.
He,
El Elyon - the Lord most high,
El Shaddai- the God who is sufficient for the needs of His people,
Jehovah Elohim - the Eternal Creator,
El Olam - the Everlasting God,
Jehovah Jireh - the Lord our Provider,
Jehovah Shalom - the Lord our Peace,
Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is present,
Jehovah Rohi - the Lord our Shepherd,
Jehovah Huseemu - the Lord our Maker,
Jehovah Eloheenu - the Lord our Maker,
He cares for them!
Now if God takes care of birds that do not work, what about you and me who are not only created in His image and likeness and whose difficulty is not as a result of slothfulness on our part or even our lack of a desire to work? Will God not take care of us in the midst of circumstances outside our control? Even if our circumstances are due to mistakes on our part, we serve a God who is merciful, kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, and who works all things "together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28.
How are you doing? Have you lost your job? Is revenue down? Are you worried about meeting your needs, meeting payroll, or paying the bills? Follow Jesus' instructions: look at the birds of the air and know that you have more value than they do. My prayer for you is that, "my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19. Think about His goodness in the morning and thank Him for His faithfulness as you lay down at night. He will take care of you.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, man's foundational needs are physiological. These needs - food, drink, and clothing - are the literal requirements for human survival. If they are not met, the human body cannot continue to survive. Although Maslow's hierarchy is incomplete - in that it does not include man's need for God - it does speak to those natural elements that cause man to worry and become anxious. Nothing creates anxiety and worry like the feeling that one will run out of food and natural provision.
This is why Jesus addresses this issue head-on during His Sermon on the Mount. He states in Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" As if that were not enough, He continues in verse 26 to challenge us to look at the birds of the air and learn from them.
What can we learn from birds?
Jesus states, "For they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them." Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn't this a violation of God's economic principles of sowing and reaping? The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in II Thessalonians 3:10b, that "If anyone will not work, neither should he eat." God Himself states in Genesis 3:19a "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground."
Why does God give birds preferential treatment? He does not. Jesus is teaching us about a law higher than the law of sowing and reaping--the law of sovereignty. The law of sovereignty is God's complete authority and power over His entire universe. The way laws work is that any law can be overridden by a higher law. For instance, according to the law, it is illegal to drive past a red traffic light. However, if there is a policeman driving his car with his siren on, not only can he pass the red light, but if you are blocking his car, you must move to make way for him.
The law of sowing and reaping states that if a man will not work (sow), he shall not eat (reap). The law of sovereignty, however, states that God has authority and rule over the entire creation, and He will provide for anyone He chooses in any way He chooses. The lesson here is that if God can feed a non-working bird that is not made in His image and likeness, what about you and me, who not only are made in His image and likeness, but also work to bring Him glory?
Why did Jesus use this example? I imagine that He was ministering to people who were worried about their provision, not necessarily because they were not willing to work, but perhaps because they could not find jobs as a result of discrimination towards Jews in a Roman colony.
In their day, just like today, there was possibly limited job availability. Maybe there were people who had jobs, but who were not making enough money to meet their basic needs. As one of my friends puts it, they had more days in the month than they had money. I am sure that there were businessmen in His midst who were unfairly and heavily taxed which impacted their profitability. Some may have been forced to close their businesses, and others may have faced low demand since customers themselves were economically challenged.
The questions the people must have asked Jesus were, "How will we feed ourselves and our families? How will we pay our workers and pay our expenses?" Jesus responded by saying, "Do not worry; do not be anxious; do not take the problem into your own hands. God has not forsaken you; man does not live by bread alone."
To illustrate His point, He pointed to the birds of the air. God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Sustainer of life, the Creator of all things, the Faithful Wonder Himself feeds them.
He,
El Elyon - the Lord most high,
El Shaddai- the God who is sufficient for the needs of His people,
Jehovah Elohim - the Eternal Creator,
El Olam - the Everlasting God,
Jehovah Jireh - the Lord our Provider,
Jehovah Shalom - the Lord our Peace,
Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is present,
Jehovah Rohi - the Lord our Shepherd,
Jehovah Huseemu - the Lord our Maker,
Jehovah Eloheenu - the Lord our Maker,
He cares for them!
Now if God takes care of birds that do not work, what about you and me who are not only created in His image and likeness and whose difficulty is not as a result of slothfulness on our part or even our lack of a desire to work? Will God not take care of us in the midst of circumstances outside our control? Even if our circumstances are due to mistakes on our part, we serve a God who is merciful, kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, and who works all things "together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28.
How are you doing? Have you lost your job? Is revenue down? Are you worried about meeting your needs, meeting payroll, or paying the bills? Follow Jesus' instructions: look at the birds of the air and know that you have more value than they do. My prayer for you is that, "my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19. Think about His goodness in the morning and thank Him for His faithfulness as you lay down at night. He will take care of you.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
What Is Planning?
See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. (Exodus 25:40)
Planning is the ability to tap into the mind of God and gather the necessary details on how the vision He gave you will be implemented. It requires you to carefully do your research so you can effectively support and communicate the assumptions you make throughout the plan based upon the revelations that the Lord has given you.
Planning is essential to the success of any business. It is key to not only starting the business but to managing the business as well. Can you imagine Moses building the tabernacle of God without a plan from God, or Jesus fulfilling His purpose on the earth without the blueprints of the Old Testament to make references to and be guided by? Effective management begins with planning, which leads to setting goals. Planning is the most important function in establishing a business. The sad reality is that most entrepreneurs do not bother to plan. The excuse often is time, know-how, or they just feel it is not necessary. No doubt about it, planning is hard work. It involves thinking and thinking is hard work. In essence, planning is solving future problems before they occur, making decisions, speculating on the future (both far and near), setting objectives (long and short range), considering alternatives, and making choices. Planning for the future requires flexibility to cope with the unexpected. You must set timetables and establish priorities; decide on the methods to be used and the people who will be involved. You must analyze the existing situation, formulate and apply targets, logic, and creativity to all details in between. Planning gives purpose and direction to your daily activities. Without it, your activities are aimless and uncoordinated. Whether you are a start-up business or a growing business, if you have not developed a plan or updated you existing plan, it is essential that you do so, not just for your sake, but for the sake of those who are called to co-labor with you.
Keys to successful planning:
1. Seek the Lord for clarity and direction
2. Determine the type of plan and engage your team
3. Clarify your purpose and mission
4. Update your internal and external assessments
5. Develop your strategy or operation plan
6. Update your financial plan based on your new strategy
7. Develop your monitoring systems
Eliminate the excuses, overcome the procrastination, discipline yourself, and write your plan. Just doing it will be a reward in itself.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Planning is the ability to tap into the mind of God and gather the necessary details on how the vision He gave you will be implemented. It requires you to carefully do your research so you can effectively support and communicate the assumptions you make throughout the plan based upon the revelations that the Lord has given you.
Planning is essential to the success of any business. It is key to not only starting the business but to managing the business as well. Can you imagine Moses building the tabernacle of God without a plan from God, or Jesus fulfilling His purpose on the earth without the blueprints of the Old Testament to make references to and be guided by? Effective management begins with planning, which leads to setting goals. Planning is the most important function in establishing a business. The sad reality is that most entrepreneurs do not bother to plan. The excuse often is time, know-how, or they just feel it is not necessary. No doubt about it, planning is hard work. It involves thinking and thinking is hard work. In essence, planning is solving future problems before they occur, making decisions, speculating on the future (both far and near), setting objectives (long and short range), considering alternatives, and making choices. Planning for the future requires flexibility to cope with the unexpected. You must set timetables and establish priorities; decide on the methods to be used and the people who will be involved. You must analyze the existing situation, formulate and apply targets, logic, and creativity to all details in between. Planning gives purpose and direction to your daily activities. Without it, your activities are aimless and uncoordinated. Whether you are a start-up business or a growing business, if you have not developed a plan or updated you existing plan, it is essential that you do so, not just for your sake, but for the sake of those who are called to co-labor with you.
Keys to successful planning:
1. Seek the Lord for clarity and direction
2. Determine the type of plan and engage your team
3. Clarify your purpose and mission
4. Update your internal and external assessments
5. Develop your strategy or operation plan
6. Update your financial plan based on your new strategy
7. Develop your monitoring systems
Eliminate the excuses, overcome the procrastination, discipline yourself, and write your plan. Just doing it will be a reward in itself.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
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