They shall become one flesh

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 1:24).
If you are married and were to die today, would your mate be able to continue the business? Would they know enough about your business affairs to provide leadership for the next steps?

Unfortunately, too many kingdom business stewards operate their businesses apart from their mates. They see the business as theirs alone and the only contribution that the business makes to their marriage is the financial provision it brings to the family. Business can be a great tool that brings couples together and unity in the marriage. It can also be the source of great stress to a marriage and a wedge that drives couples apart. All married kingdom business stewards operate a family business whether their mate is actively involved or not.

Men have historically committed grievous errors in not involving their mates in their business affairs, and many women entrepreneurs are modeling those same bad behaviors today. These errors cannot be blamed on the world. Rather, the responsibility rests with the church in the way it has traditionally taught about headship and dominion. The dominion mandate in Genesis was not given to males alone but given to both the male and the female. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the seas, over the birds of the air, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Gen 1:26-27

When the bible refers to the original man that was made in the image and likeness of God it is not referring to the gender male but rather to the species of man. The species man combines both the male and the female. This is the reason that when God wanted to provide man with a companion, He did not create another being - but rather He did surgery on the man to separate the female gender from the male gender. Notice that after the surgery, Adam rejoiced and affirmed his new companion and declared that together they shall become one flesh. This enabled them to operate in the original order, with two separate bodies but one in soul, mind and spirit. The question is then raised about headship - is the male still not the head? Headship has nothing to do with oneness. Headship has to do with order. Just because the male is the head does not mean he cannot operate as one with the female. As a matter of fact, headship within a marriage cannot be effective without oneness in the marriage. If there is headship without oneness then the marriage will be dysfunctional. Headship without oneness leads to stress and can also lead to eventual divorce.

How do you know if you are not operating as one flesh with your mate in business?

1. It is your business and not yours and your spouse's
2. You do not involve them in the major decisions of the business

3. You never have family business meetings

4. You do not see them as an asset in the business

5. You do not embrace their ideas

6. You intentionally keep them out of the loop

7. If you were to die they would not know how to continue or exit the business

How do you walk in oneness?

1. Declare the business as a family business

2. Establish a family advisory board or board of directors with regular meetings (monthly, quarterly, or biannually)

3. Make sure your mate understands the vision and general goals of the business and how it connects to God's plan for your family

4. Do not make any major decisions without involving your mate and make sure you both are in agreement.

5. Stop referring to it as your business but instead, as our business

6. Pray together about the business

7. Seek a business coach to guide you along if necessary

Marriage is one of the greatest institutions that God created; it can be a place of great fulfillment and reward. A dysfunctional marriage however can be worse than a prison. It is better not to marry than to marry and not be committed to enjoying the best that marriage has to offer. Your business can either be a tool that God uses to enhance fulfillment in your marriage or a weapon used by the enemy to further bring division. You must be committed not to give place to the enemy and seek God's wisdom and guidance as to how to walk in oneness with your mate in business. The rewards will not just be fulfillment in the marriage but can also lead to business growth and success.


Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

The More Abundant Life - Part 4

The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Once you reject your own righteousness and put on the righteousness of God, the second attribute to the more abundant life is peace. Peace is the inner tranquility and poise of the believer whose trust is in God through Jesus Christ.

The world sees peace as a lack of external conflict or trouble; however, in God's kingdom, peace can be present in the midst of conflict and trouble. Peace gives you the internal comfort and courage to face difficult situations and external problems. Without God's internal peace, you cannot address problems effectively nor can you obtain external peace.

The prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 describes Jesus as the Prince of Peace. A prince is the son of a sovereign ruler; so Prince of Peace means that Jesus is the bearer, or ambassador, of peace. When Jesus talks about giving us the more abundant life, He is talking about a life that will allow us to experience peace with God, with ourselves, with nature, and with those who choose peace. This peace is not the empty promises that the world offers through materialism, false religions, and false treaties. It is a godly peace that passes all earthly understanding.

This peace is beyond the world's comprehension. In the midst of an economic meltdown, you have peace; in the midst of bad news from the doctor, you have peace; in the midst of limited cash flow, you have peace; and in the midst of uncertainty about the future, you have peace. This peace is not circumstantial, but rather it is based on a complete trust in God through Jesus Christ.

As a kingdom business steward, how do you achieve this peace? You achieve it by abiding in Christ. Here are five things that keep you abiding, or finding your existence, in Him:

1. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which gives you peace with God
2. Keeping your mind on Him
3. Being spiritually-minded no matter the circumstances
4. Prayer - drawing near to Him with your worship and expressing your needs to Him
5. Keeping the Word of God in your heart

This peace disappears the minute you take your eyes off Jesus and begin to focus on yourself or your situation and not on His perspective and promises.

Why is this peace so necessary? It is a peace that the world cannot take away, and it guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This peace is a spiritual shield around your heart and your internal nervous system to protect you against sudden heart attack or mental breakdown.

Many people in business have experienced heart failures and mental breakdowns as a result of bad news that they received about their businesses. This news can range from market changes, loss of contracts, loss of investments, or lawsuits. Remember, the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy; he uses people, things, and information to achieve his goal. But Jesus came that you may have life abundantly.

What are you facing right now? Are you experiencing the abundant life? Do you have a peace that passes all understanding? If not, seek the Prince of Peace, set your mind on Him, remain spiritually-minded, pray, and put His Word in your heart. Before you know it, peace will start coming over you. Although your problems may not disappear, this peace will give you comfort and the courage to face your problems; this is what it means to walk in the more abundant life.

Next week, we will discuss the final and most critical attribute of the more abundant life; joy in the Holy Spirit.

Get Help!

by Patrice Tsague, Nehemiah Project International Ministries

" Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." II Kings 4:4

So many entrepreneurs fail or do not achieve their fullest potential because they do not want or know how to motivate others to work with them. The Bible is full of passages that encourage us to work together to accomplish a common vision yet many of us still insist on working solo out of mistrust or ignorance.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18

No one ever achieved success in the marketplace without a competent team of people to assist them. Are you rallying the assistance of others in the development of your business? God never intended us to work alone and independent of each other. In the Garden of Eden it was God, not Adam, who noticed that Adam was alone and He decided to make Him a helper suitable for him. If you have a family you must include them in the development and implementation of your business idea for they are the team the Lord has given you. Your spouse is your partner, whether or not he or she is actively involved in the business.

Should something happen to you tomorrow guess who must take responsibility for the business? Your spouse of course, unless you have grown children who can handle it. Is he or she prepared to do so? I have seen so many married entrepreneurs who, for whatever reason, operate their businesses independent of their spouse which is always a recipe for disaster and even divorce. An uninvolved spouse can become jealous of the business and even feel insecure because he or she does not share that area of your life with you. It is your responsibility to involve them in what you are doing even if they act as though they are not interested.

The prophet Elisha encouraged the widow in II Kings 4:4 to get the assistance of her children in manufacturing the products she sold in the market place to pay back her debt. He recognized that she could not accomplish this task by herself and her children needed to have ownership in the process. It also allowed her children to experience the supernatural power of God. The types of help you need in the development and growth of your business may include:

· Family assistance - If you have family, involve them as much as possible, this includes the children. By involving them you will save money and bring the family closer.

· Professional assistance - There are areas of your business that you are not skilled to handle. Consider getting other professionals to assist and counsel you so that you can focus on what you do best. As you know "in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). The key to success is to focus on your strengths and allow others to support you where you are weak.

· Friends and associates - Remember that the only meaningful friendships you can have are with those who relate to you based on God's purpose and plan for your life. Anyone who does otherwise may be a tool the enemy will use to distract you from accomplishing your purpose. You can test a meaningful friendship by whether or not your friend or associate is willing to assist you in the development and growth of your business. Invite them to be a part and you may be surprised at their response.

In order to effectively get the help of others, you must be able to overcome the enemies of team work and togetherness which include pride, shame, ignorance, self confidence, and fear.