But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
Imagine being able to tap into a secret ingredient that gives you the wisdom of God-yes, the wisdom of the Creator of the universe, the Captain of the earth. What could happen if you possessed the insights of the all-powerful Being who owns all the earth's resources? What if you could tap into the Source of all success principles, the Alpha and the Omega, the One who controls the future?
What an advantage that would be! It would enable you to know the ins and outs of the market, to anticipate the actions of your competitors, to know how to handle every negotiation, how to hire, how to manage staff and contractors, how to advertise and market your products, and how to deal with any and every business problem that came across your desk!
The Bible gives us a framework of how to know the wisdom of God. Wisdom is the understanding of knowledge with the fear of the Lord. The wisdom of God is the ability to know how God would respond in every situation and respond the same way. When you have the wisdom of God, you have the mind of God.
According to James 3:17, wisdom from above has these characteristics:
- Pure
- Peaceable
- Gentle
- Willing to yield
- Full of mercy
- Good fruits
- Without partiality
- Without hypocrisy
How do you acquire this wisdom? Psalm 111:10 states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And James 1:5 states that if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach. When we ask, God will generously and graciously give His wisdom to us.
The wisdom of God is acquired first through cultivating a reverential fear of God in our hearts. This allows us to have a healthy respect for God and His word, which causes us to seek to know His word and walk in it. Second, the wisdom of God is acquired by request. Yes, it is that simple. All you have to do is ask. Ask Him sincerely when faced with various situations about how to address them. He will not only give you the exact action to take, but He will also show you how to take the action.
When you ask Him, rather than relying on your own strength and resources, you receive the most valuable, insightful wisdom of all-the wisdom from above. The beauty of it is that it's a gift-you cannot muster it up on your own even if you want to. Of course, this wisdom is only available to those of us who have a personal relationship with His son Jesus Christ and have committed ourselves to being led by his Spirit. Ultimately, all this is done by the Spirit of God.
So when faced with any business problem, do not lean to your own understanding. Do not just respond in the usual manner, but humbly seek the wisdom of God.
This wisdom, of course, is unlike any conventional, worldly wisdom that might come naturally to you. God's wisdom has these uniquely divine characteristics:
- God's wisdom calculates and incorporates eternal benefits. The rewards of this wisdom are not just temporal but eternal. You may not see the results you want immediately.
- God's wisdom is revealed and guided by His Word. This wisdom is scriptural and centered on glorifying Christ.
- God's wisdom is often foolishness to worldly people. This wisdom may not immediately make sense to you and to those around you.
- God's wisdom is spiritually discerned. The wisdom from above can only be understood by those who are led by the Spirit of God.
Are you employing the wisdom of God in your decision making? Tap into this wisdom, take bold action, and you will experience a powerful marketplace advantage.
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Kingdom Business Success
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
Success is often defined in business as consistently achieving a certain rate of return, or meeting certain revenue goals. These measurements are important, but when defining kingdom business success, we must go beyond the rate of return or the revenue. Kingdom business success takes into account all of the elements that make a business a kingdom business.
A kingdom business is a profit-making enterprise under the lordship of Jesus Christ, operated by a born-again believer. It honors the Lord Jesus Christ through its products and services, it is managed based on biblical principles, serves as a light in the marketplace, and its profit is used for the advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth. Simply put, a kingdom business is God's business, managed God's way, by God's steward, for God's purposes in the world.
Kingdom business success is the faithful stewardship of the resources the Lord has placed under my care in the service of my employees, my customers, and the body of Christ in such a manner that it may generate an increase. It enables me to have greater spiritual and natural influence in my community and industry. Seven keys determine whether a kingdom business is successful:
1. The business is used as a tool to fulfill God's plan for the steward (Colossians 3:23). Is the business helping you fulfill God's plan for your life? A kingdom business is not just something you do so that you can have resources to support the kingdom, but it is the way you carry out your mission mandate. The business is the mission. Every born-again believer has been called of God to achieve a specific call. Those who have a passion for business must seek the Lord to determine how the business can be a tool to fulfill that call. This gives purpose and significance to the business and brings fulfillment to your work.
2. The products and services honor the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 19:24). As kingdom business stewards, we are not to sell certain products and services just because they are profitable, but rather we must ask ourselves if these products and services glorify Jesus. Would Jesus sell these products and services? Do they meet clear, legitimate needs? Will they harm others? You cannot have a successful kingdom business that is promoting ungodly products and services.
3. Members of management glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 10:42-45). Kingdom businesses must model the same management style that Jesus modeled-the servant leadership model. The way you treat your employees, handle your finances, deal with the government, and market your product and services must bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. The business provides for the natural needs of the Biblical Entrepreneur and his or her family (1 Timothy 5:8). The Bible is clear that work is the way to provide for our natural needs. It says that if a man does not take care of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No matter how zealous you are about Jesus, you must be balanced and ensure that your business provides for your needs and that of your family.
5. The business generates biblical profit: double bottom line (Proverbs 16:8). Kingdom businesses must be profitable. Jesus makes if clear in the story of the talents in Mathew 25:14-30 that He is displeased with unprofitable servants. Sustained profits are the only way to build wealth, and according to Deuteronomy 8:18 wealth is the evidence that confirms God's covenant. At the same time, the Bible makes it clear that that we ought not to labor just to be rich. According to Proverbs 16:8, it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot with injustice. In other words, we must not seek profit at all costs. The biblical approach to profit is a balanced approach. A double bottom line is what is required: profit that is gained justly and honorably without compromising biblical principles.
6. The business is a means for marketplace evangelism and discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20). All born-again believers, no matter their professions, have a mandate to fulfill the Great Commission; the Great Commission is partly evangelism and partly discipleship. As kingdom business stewards, our businesses are a platform for marketplace evangelism and discipleship to those we have influence over, including our customers, employees, vendors, business associates, competitors, and the community we do business in.
7. Businesses are an instrument for giving (1Timothy 6:17-19). Kingdom businesses must be committed to giving to the work of the kingdom and to those in need. We give through tithing from our business profits and giving generously as the Lord leads. Giving, however, is not the only measurement of a successful kingdom business, but it is one of several measurements of success. As stated above, we do not start kingdom businesses to give to missions, but the kingdom business is the mission. If giving was the only thing that made a kingdom business a kingdom business, then Bill Gates' and Oprah's businesses would be considered kingdom businesses. Kingdom businesses must reflect all seven characteristics listed here.
Are you operating a kingdom business? How successful, from a kingdom standpoint, is your business? There is no greater time than now to set ourselves apart from the world. Difficult economic times create greater demand for businesses that reflect God's will and are salt and light in the marketplace for Jesus. This gives us a unique competitive advantage and allows us to be a resource for the world in a time of lack as Joseph was in Egypt.
In God's kingdom, success results in greater responsibility. In Matthew 25:21 Jesus said if you "are faithful over little [i.e., successful], [He] will make you ruler over much [responsibility]." Our kingdom business success will come with responsibility and not necessarily a whole lot of perks - although our provision is always within the responsibilities.
May God give you the grace to honor Him through your business.
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. -->
Success is often defined in business as consistently achieving a certain rate of return, or meeting certain revenue goals. These measurements are important, but when defining kingdom business success, we must go beyond the rate of return or the revenue. Kingdom business success takes into account all of the elements that make a business a kingdom business.
A kingdom business is a profit-making enterprise under the lordship of Jesus Christ, operated by a born-again believer. It honors the Lord Jesus Christ through its products and services, it is managed based on biblical principles, serves as a light in the marketplace, and its profit is used for the advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth. Simply put, a kingdom business is God's business, managed God's way, by God's steward, for God's purposes in the world.
Kingdom business success is the faithful stewardship of the resources the Lord has placed under my care in the service of my employees, my customers, and the body of Christ in such a manner that it may generate an increase. It enables me to have greater spiritual and natural influence in my community and industry. Seven keys determine whether a kingdom business is successful:
1. The business is used as a tool to fulfill God's plan for the steward (Colossians 3:23). Is the business helping you fulfill God's plan for your life? A kingdom business is not just something you do so that you can have resources to support the kingdom, but it is the way you carry out your mission mandate. The business is the mission. Every born-again believer has been called of God to achieve a specific call. Those who have a passion for business must seek the Lord to determine how the business can be a tool to fulfill that call. This gives purpose and significance to the business and brings fulfillment to your work.
2. The products and services honor the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 19:24). As kingdom business stewards, we are not to sell certain products and services just because they are profitable, but rather we must ask ourselves if these products and services glorify Jesus. Would Jesus sell these products and services? Do they meet clear, legitimate needs? Will they harm others? You cannot have a successful kingdom business that is promoting ungodly products and services.
3. Members of management glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 10:42-45). Kingdom businesses must model the same management style that Jesus modeled-the servant leadership model. The way you treat your employees, handle your finances, deal with the government, and market your product and services must bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. The business provides for the natural needs of the Biblical Entrepreneur and his or her family (1 Timothy 5:8). The Bible is clear that work is the way to provide for our natural needs. It says that if a man does not take care of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No matter how zealous you are about Jesus, you must be balanced and ensure that your business provides for your needs and that of your family.
5. The business generates biblical profit: double bottom line (Proverbs 16:8). Kingdom businesses must be profitable. Jesus makes if clear in the story of the talents in Mathew 25:14-30 that He is displeased with unprofitable servants. Sustained profits are the only way to build wealth, and according to Deuteronomy 8:18 wealth is the evidence that confirms God's covenant. At the same time, the Bible makes it clear that that we ought not to labor just to be rich. According to Proverbs 16:8, it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot with injustice. In other words, we must not seek profit at all costs. The biblical approach to profit is a balanced approach. A double bottom line is what is required: profit that is gained justly and honorably without compromising biblical principles.
6. The business is a means for marketplace evangelism and discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20). All born-again believers, no matter their professions, have a mandate to fulfill the Great Commission; the Great Commission is partly evangelism and partly discipleship. As kingdom business stewards, our businesses are a platform for marketplace evangelism and discipleship to those we have influence over, including our customers, employees, vendors, business associates, competitors, and the community we do business in.
7. Businesses are an instrument for giving (1Timothy 6:17-19). Kingdom businesses must be committed to giving to the work of the kingdom and to those in need. We give through tithing from our business profits and giving generously as the Lord leads. Giving, however, is not the only measurement of a successful kingdom business, but it is one of several measurements of success. As stated above, we do not start kingdom businesses to give to missions, but the kingdom business is the mission. If giving was the only thing that made a kingdom business a kingdom business, then Bill Gates' and Oprah's businesses would be considered kingdom businesses. Kingdom businesses must reflect all seven characteristics listed here.
Are you operating a kingdom business? How successful, from a kingdom standpoint, is your business? There is no greater time than now to set ourselves apart from the world. Difficult economic times create greater demand for businesses that reflect God's will and are salt and light in the marketplace for Jesus. This gives us a unique competitive advantage and allows us to be a resource for the world in a time of lack as Joseph was in Egypt.
In God's kingdom, success results in greater responsibility. In Matthew 25:21 Jesus said if you "are faithful over little [i.e., successful], [He] will make you ruler over much [responsibility]." Our kingdom business success will come with responsibility and not necessarily a whole lot of perks - although our provision is always within the responsibilities.
May God give you the grace to honor Him through your business.
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. -->
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Éxito de los Negocios del Reino
Recita siempre el libro de la ley y medita en él de día y de noche; cumple con cuidado todo lo que en él está escrito. Así prosperarás y tendrás éxito. Josué 1:8 El éxito es comúnmente definido en los negocios como la obtención consistente de una tasa de retorno o alcanzar objetivos rentables. Estas medidas son importantes, pero cuando definimos el éxito en los negocios del Reino, debemos ir más allá de la tasa de retorno y de la rentabilidad. El éxito en los negocios del Reino toma en cuenta todos los elementos que hacen de un negocio convertirse en negocio del Reino.
Un negocio del Reino es una empresa lucrativa bajo el señorío de Jesucristo, operada por un creyente nacido de nuevo. Este negocio honra al Señor Jesucristo a través de sus productos y servicios, es manejada en base a principios bíblicos, sirve de luz en el lugar de mercado, y sus ganancias son usadas para el avance del reino de Dios en la tierra. En forma simple, un negocio del Reino es un negocio de Dios, manejada a la manera de Dios por sus mayordomos, para los propósitos de Dios en el mundo.
Éxito en los negocios del Reino es la fiel mayordomía de los recursos que el Señor ha puesto bajo mi cuidado para el servicio de mis empleados, mis clientes, y el cuerpo de Cristo, de tal manera que pueda generar un incremento. Este me permite tener mayor influencia espiritual y natural en mi comunidad e industria.
Existen siete claves que determinan si un negocio del Reino es exitoso:
1. El negocio es usado como herramienta para cumplir el plan de Dios para el mayordomo
(Colosenses 3:23). ¿Tu negocio esta ayudándote a cumplir el plan de Dios para tu vida? Un negocio del Reino no es solamente algo que haces para tener recursos para apoyar el Reino, sino también es la forma en que tu llevas a cabo el mandato de tu misión. El negocio es la misión. Cada creyente nacido de nuevo ha sido llamado por Dios para alcanzar un llamado específico. Aquellos que tienen una pasión por los negocios deben buscar al Señor para determinar como el negocio puede ser una herramienta para cumplir ese llamado. Esto le da propósito y significado al negocio y trae satisfacción al trabajo.
2. Los productos y servicios honran al Señor Jesucristo (Hechos 19:24). Como mayordomos
de negocios del Reino, no debemos vender ciertos productos y servicios solo por que son rentables, sino debemos preguntarnos si estos productos y servicios glorifican a Jesús. ¿Vendería Jesús estos productos y servicios? ¿Satisfacen necesidades claras y legítimas? ¿Producirán daños a otros? Tu no puedes tener un exitoso negocio del Reino que promueva productos y servicios impíos.
3. Miembros de la gerencia glorifican al Señor Jesucristo. (Marcos 10:42-45).
Los negocios del Reino deben modelar el mismo estilo gerencial que Jesucristo modeló
- el modelo del siervo líder. La forma en que usted trata a sus empleados, maneja sus finanzas, trata con el gobierno, y mercadea sus productos y servicios deben dar gloria a nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo.
4. El negocio provee para las necesidades naturales del Emprendedor Bíblico y
su familia (1 Timoteo 5:8). La biblia es clara en que el trabajo es la forma de proveer para nuestra necesidades naturales. Ella dice que si un hombre no provee para su casa, él ha negado la fe y es peor que un incrédulo. No importa cuan celoso seas acerca de Jesús, debes tener balance y debes asegurarte que tu negocio provee para tus necesidades y la de tu familia.
5. El negocio genera ganancia bíblica: saldo doble (Proverbios 16:8). Los negocios
del Reino deben ser rentables. Jesús aclara esto en la historia de los talentos en Mateo 25:14-30 cuando El se desagrada del siervo que no obtuvo ganancias. Ganancias sostenibles son la única forma de construir riqueza, y de acuerdo con Deuteronomio 8:18, riqueza es la evidencia que confirma el pacto de Dios. Al mismo tiempo, la biblia aclara que debemos trabajar no solo para ser ricos. De acuerdo con Proverbios 16:8, es mejor tener poco con justicia que tener abundancia con injusticia. En otras palabras, no debemos buscar ganancia a toda costa. El enfoque bíblico de ganancia es un enfoque balanceado. Un saldo doble es requerido: una ganancia obtenida en forma justa y honorable sin comprometer los principios bíblicos.
6. El negocio es un medio para el evangelismo y discipulado del mercado (Mateo
28:18-20) Todos los creyentes nacidos de nuevo, sin importar sus profesiones, tienen el mandato de cumplir la Gran Comisión; la Gran Comisión es en parte evangelismo y en parte discipulado. Como mayordomos de los negocios del Reino, nuestros negocios son la plataforma de mercado para evangelizar y discipular a todos aquellos que influenciamos en nuestra esfera de negocios, incluyendo a nuestros clientes, empleados, proveedores, socios, competidores y la comunidad en la que operamos.
7. Los negocios son un instrumento para dar (1 Timoteo 6:17-19). Los negocios
del Reino deben comprometerse a dar para el trabajo del Reino y para aquellos en necesidad. Nosotros damos a través del diezmo de las ganancias de nuestro negocio y dando generosamente en la manera que el Señor nos mueva. Dar, sin embargo, no es la única medida de un negocio del Reino exitoso, sino solo una de varias medidas del éxito. Como se dice anteriormente, nosotros no iniciamos un negocio del Reino para darle a las misiones, sino que el negocio del Reino es la misión. Si dar fuera la única cosa que constituyera un negocio como negocio del Reino, entonces los negocios de Bill Gates y Oprah serían considerados negocios del reino. Los negocios del Reino deben reflejar todas las siete características listadas aquí.
¿Estas operando un negocio del Reino? ¿Cuan exitoso, desde el punto de vista del Reino, es tu negocio? No hay mejor momento que este para colocarnos aparte del mundo.
Los tiempos económicos difíciles crean mayor demanda por negocios que reflejen la voluntad de Dios y sean sal y luz en el mercado para Jesús. Esto nos provee de una ventaja competitiva única y nos permite ser un recurso para el mundo en tiempo de necesidad como José lo fue en Egipto.
En el Reino de Dios, el éxito resulta en mayor responsabilidad. En Mateo 25:21, Jesús dijo "si en lo poco has sido fiel (Éxito), te pondré a cargo de más (Responsabilidad)"
Nuestro éxito en el negocio del Reino vendrá con responsabilidad y no necesariamente con muchos beneficios - aunque nuestra provisión estará siempre dentro de las responsabilidades.
Que Dios te provea la gracia de honrarle con tu negocio.
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Un negocio del Reino es una empresa lucrativa bajo el señorío de Jesucristo, operada por un creyente nacido de nuevo. Este negocio honra al Señor Jesucristo a través de sus productos y servicios, es manejada en base a principios bíblicos, sirve de luz en el lugar de mercado, y sus ganancias son usadas para el avance del reino de Dios en la tierra. En forma simple, un negocio del Reino es un negocio de Dios, manejada a la manera de Dios por sus mayordomos, para los propósitos de Dios en el mundo.
Éxito en los negocios del Reino es la fiel mayordomía de los recursos que el Señor ha puesto bajo mi cuidado para el servicio de mis empleados, mis clientes, y el cuerpo de Cristo, de tal manera que pueda generar un incremento. Este me permite tener mayor influencia espiritual y natural en mi comunidad e industria.
Existen siete claves que determinan si un negocio del Reino es exitoso:
1. El negocio es usado como herramienta para cumplir el plan de Dios para el mayordomo
(Colosenses 3:23). ¿Tu negocio esta ayudándote a cumplir el plan de Dios para tu vida? Un negocio del Reino no es solamente algo que haces para tener recursos para apoyar el Reino, sino también es la forma en que tu llevas a cabo el mandato de tu misión. El negocio es la misión. Cada creyente nacido de nuevo ha sido llamado por Dios para alcanzar un llamado específico. Aquellos que tienen una pasión por los negocios deben buscar al Señor para determinar como el negocio puede ser una herramienta para cumplir ese llamado. Esto le da propósito y significado al negocio y trae satisfacción al trabajo.
2. Los productos y servicios honran al Señor Jesucristo (Hechos 19:24). Como mayordomos
de negocios del Reino, no debemos vender ciertos productos y servicios solo por que son rentables, sino debemos preguntarnos si estos productos y servicios glorifican a Jesús. ¿Vendería Jesús estos productos y servicios? ¿Satisfacen necesidades claras y legítimas? ¿Producirán daños a otros? Tu no puedes tener un exitoso negocio del Reino que promueva productos y servicios impíos.
3. Miembros de la gerencia glorifican al Señor Jesucristo. (Marcos 10:42-45).
Los negocios del Reino deben modelar el mismo estilo gerencial que Jesucristo modeló
- el modelo del siervo líder. La forma en que usted trata a sus empleados, maneja sus finanzas, trata con el gobierno, y mercadea sus productos y servicios deben dar gloria a nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo.
4. El negocio provee para las necesidades naturales del Emprendedor Bíblico y
su familia (1 Timoteo 5:8). La biblia es clara en que el trabajo es la forma de proveer para nuestra necesidades naturales. Ella dice que si un hombre no provee para su casa, él ha negado la fe y es peor que un incrédulo. No importa cuan celoso seas acerca de Jesús, debes tener balance y debes asegurarte que tu negocio provee para tus necesidades y la de tu familia.
5. El negocio genera ganancia bíblica: saldo doble (Proverbios 16:8). Los negocios
del Reino deben ser rentables. Jesús aclara esto en la historia de los talentos en Mateo 25:14-30 cuando El se desagrada del siervo que no obtuvo ganancias. Ganancias sostenibles son la única forma de construir riqueza, y de acuerdo con Deuteronomio 8:18, riqueza es la evidencia que confirma el pacto de Dios. Al mismo tiempo, la biblia aclara que debemos trabajar no solo para ser ricos. De acuerdo con Proverbios 16:8, es mejor tener poco con justicia que tener abundancia con injusticia. En otras palabras, no debemos buscar ganancia a toda costa. El enfoque bíblico de ganancia es un enfoque balanceado. Un saldo doble es requerido: una ganancia obtenida en forma justa y honorable sin comprometer los principios bíblicos.
6. El negocio es un medio para el evangelismo y discipulado del mercado (Mateo
28:18-20) Todos los creyentes nacidos de nuevo, sin importar sus profesiones, tienen el mandato de cumplir la Gran Comisión; la Gran Comisión es en parte evangelismo y en parte discipulado. Como mayordomos de los negocios del Reino, nuestros negocios son la plataforma de mercado para evangelizar y discipular a todos aquellos que influenciamos en nuestra esfera de negocios, incluyendo a nuestros clientes, empleados, proveedores, socios, competidores y la comunidad en la que operamos.
7. Los negocios son un instrumento para dar (1 Timoteo 6:17-19). Los negocios
del Reino deben comprometerse a dar para el trabajo del Reino y para aquellos en necesidad. Nosotros damos a través del diezmo de las ganancias de nuestro negocio y dando generosamente en la manera que el Señor nos mueva. Dar, sin embargo, no es la única medida de un negocio del Reino exitoso, sino solo una de varias medidas del éxito. Como se dice anteriormente, nosotros no iniciamos un negocio del Reino para darle a las misiones, sino que el negocio del Reino es la misión. Si dar fuera la única cosa que constituyera un negocio como negocio del Reino, entonces los negocios de Bill Gates y Oprah serían considerados negocios del reino. Los negocios del Reino deben reflejar todas las siete características listadas aquí.
¿Estas operando un negocio del Reino? ¿Cuan exitoso, desde el punto de vista del Reino, es tu negocio? No hay mejor momento que este para colocarnos aparte del mundo.
Los tiempos económicos difíciles crean mayor demanda por negocios que reflejen la voluntad de Dios y sean sal y luz en el mercado para Jesús. Esto nos provee de una ventaja competitiva única y nos permite ser un recurso para el mundo en tiempo de necesidad como José lo fue en Egipto.
En el Reino de Dios, el éxito resulta en mayor responsabilidad. En Mateo 25:21, Jesús dijo "si en lo poco has sido fiel (Éxito), te pondré a cargo de más (Responsabilidad)"
Nuestro éxito en el negocio del Reino vendrá con responsabilidad y no necesariamente con muchos beneficios - aunque nuestra provisión estará siempre dentro de las responsabilidades.
Que Dios te provea la gracia de honrarle con tu negocio.
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Monday, February 23, 2009
from Jason in Tanzania
Last night I taught a Kingdom Business seminar to about 100 local Christian Business people. They were about 60% business ladies. They really liked the seminar. Several said God touched their hearts. One guy said, "this is what Tanzania needs. We have been taught to give money by the church, but the Church has never taught us how to make money. Tonight many of my questions were answered. We need more of this."
I met with two govt. officials the District Commissionar and the Trade officer. They confirmed the need for training. The trade officer is a believer (a pastor even) and he said "our greatest need is to have our minds transformed. Our people are surrounded by opportunity but they can't see it."
Pray for Jason Benedict, RCE Strategist, and the rest of his time in Tanzania and Burundi.
I met with two govt. officials the District Commissionar and the Trade officer. They confirmed the need for training. The trade officer is a believer (a pastor even) and he said "our greatest need is to have our minds transformed. Our people are surrounded by opportunity but they can't see it."
Pray for Jason Benedict, RCE Strategist, and the rest of his time in Tanzania and Burundi.
Monday, February 2, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The More Abundant Life - Part 3
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
Now that we understand the importance of having our existence in Christ, as we seek to achieve the more abundant life, let us discuss walking in the abundant life. Three attributes set apart the abundant life: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Today we will discuss righteousness.
As we stated before, the more abundant life is not about achieving material prosperity, though it does not preclude it. Jesus states in Matthew 6:32b that He knows that we have need of things. After stating this, Jesus says, "...but in order to acquire these things, you must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness," and then the material things you need will follow.
What does it mean to be righteous? You are righteous when you live your life in line with God's will. None of us lives completely without sin while on this earth, but once saved, we can live by His power in such a way that He is pleased. His righteousness in us causes us to please God through our actions, thoughts, and behavior. This righteousness is a manifestation of having an existence in Christ. When we move in Him and have our being in Him, the fruit that we bear is a righteous lifestyle.
There are two types of righteousness: a righteousness which is of God and our own standard of righteousness. Unfortunately, many of us who have a zeal for the Lord and are serving Him in the marketplace fall prey to walking in our own standard of righteousness. The Apostle Paul states in Philippians 3:9 that he wants "to be found in Jesus, not having his own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ; a righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
He also states in Romans 10:2-3, speaking of the Israelites, that they had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. In their zeal, they established their own righteousness because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God. What is this righteousness that is "of the law"?
It is actions and behaviors that are based on the letter of the law but ignorant of the spirit of the law. This zealous self-righteousness is using God's word to realize one's own will and desires without taking into account the effect on others. It is a stubborn pursuit of one's rights based on scripture at the expense of love. Without any regard to the spirit of the law, it is a defense of one's rights based on scripture. It is void of faith.
Those who have their own standard of righteousness may not be involved in immoral acts such as murder, adultery, and so forth, but their actions do not please God because they are based on their own sense of righteousness rather than God's.
How do I know if I am walking in my own righteousness?
1. I always justify my position.
2. I do not operate out of love.
3. I seek more to be understood than to understand.
4. I fight for my rights rather than for what is right.
5. I am not led by the Spirit.
6. I lack compassion.
7. I am presumptuous.
Unfortunately, some of us Christians have earned a reputation of self-righteousness. This means that we have fallen into our own standards of righteousness, not God's. As a result, our message of the Good News has at times been lost and often falls on deaf ears because we are perceived to be more concerned about our agenda than caring for people.
As a Kingdom Business steward, if you are not careful, you may fall into this trap. This trap of self-righteousness will impact the success of your business. Or even if your business succeeds financially, you will lose your ability to transform the marketplace because of your self-righteousness.
How then do I ensure that I operate in God's righteousness?
1. I should not always justify myself.
2. I should operate in love.
3. I should seek to understand.
4. I should focus on what is right and not on who is right. (Ignore your rights; you have none.)
5. I should be led by the Spirit.
6. I should be compassionate.
7. I should not assume.
As Paul emphasizes in Philippians 3:9, to be found in Jesus is to operate in God's righteousness through faith. God's gift of faith enables us to lay aside worldly righteousness based on performance, self-sufficiency, maneuvering, and conniving. Instead, by faith we trust God and His goodness to justify and cover us. We rest in the love of Jesus Christ.
Walking and resting in God's righteousness demonstrates that your existence is in Christ. Once you have established the foundation of your existence in Christ, and add to that God's righteousness in your life, you are ready to build toward the subsequent steps of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In next week's devotional, we will discuss peace, the second attribute of the more abundant life.
Now that we understand the importance of having our existence in Christ, as we seek to achieve the more abundant life, let us discuss walking in the abundant life. Three attributes set apart the abundant life: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Today we will discuss righteousness.
As we stated before, the more abundant life is not about achieving material prosperity, though it does not preclude it. Jesus states in Matthew 6:32b that He knows that we have need of things. After stating this, Jesus says, "...but in order to acquire these things, you must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness," and then the material things you need will follow.
What does it mean to be righteous? You are righteous when you live your life in line with God's will. None of us lives completely without sin while on this earth, but once saved, we can live by His power in such a way that He is pleased. His righteousness in us causes us to please God through our actions, thoughts, and behavior. This righteousness is a manifestation of having an existence in Christ. When we move in Him and have our being in Him, the fruit that we bear is a righteous lifestyle.
There are two types of righteousness: a righteousness which is of God and our own standard of righteousness. Unfortunately, many of us who have a zeal for the Lord and are serving Him in the marketplace fall prey to walking in our own standard of righteousness. The Apostle Paul states in Philippians 3:9 that he wants "to be found in Jesus, not having his own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ; a righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
He also states in Romans 10:2-3, speaking of the Israelites, that they had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. In their zeal, they established their own righteousness because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God. What is this righteousness that is "of the law"?
It is actions and behaviors that are based on the letter of the law but ignorant of the spirit of the law. This zealous self-righteousness is using God's word to realize one's own will and desires without taking into account the effect on others. It is a stubborn pursuit of one's rights based on scripture at the expense of love. Without any regard to the spirit of the law, it is a defense of one's rights based on scripture. It is void of faith.
Those who have their own standard of righteousness may not be involved in immoral acts such as murder, adultery, and so forth, but their actions do not please God because they are based on their own sense of righteousness rather than God's.
How do I know if I am walking in my own righteousness?
1. I always justify my position.
2. I do not operate out of love.
3. I seek more to be understood than to understand.
4. I fight for my rights rather than for what is right.
5. I am not led by the Spirit.
6. I lack compassion.
7. I am presumptuous.
Unfortunately, some of us Christians have earned a reputation of self-righteousness. This means that we have fallen into our own standards of righteousness, not God's. As a result, our message of the Good News has at times been lost and often falls on deaf ears because we are perceived to be more concerned about our agenda than caring for people.
As a Kingdom Business steward, if you are not careful, you may fall into this trap. This trap of self-righteousness will impact the success of your business. Or even if your business succeeds financially, you will lose your ability to transform the marketplace because of your self-righteousness.
How then do I ensure that I operate in God's righteousness?
1. I should not always justify myself.
2. I should operate in love.
3. I should seek to understand.
4. I should focus on what is right and not on who is right. (Ignore your rights; you have none.)
5. I should be led by the Spirit.
6. I should be compassionate.
7. I should not assume.
As Paul emphasizes in Philippians 3:9, to be found in Jesus is to operate in God's righteousness through faith. God's gift of faith enables us to lay aside worldly righteousness based on performance, self-sufficiency, maneuvering, and conniving. Instead, by faith we trust God and His goodness to justify and cover us. We rest in the love of Jesus Christ.
Walking and resting in God's righteousness demonstrates that your existence is in Christ. Once you have established the foundation of your existence in Christ, and add to that God's righteousness in your life, you are ready to build toward the subsequent steps of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In next week's devotional, we will discuss peace, the second attribute of the more abundant life.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The More Abundant Life - Part 2
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
In last's week devotional, we defined the more abundant life as an existence in Christ that is overflowing with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. We asked the question, "Do you desire this overflowing experience?" Assuming the answer was, "Yes" we will now address how to have this experience.
Walking in the more abundant life begins with abiding in Christ. This means that you find your existence, your very survival, and your source, in being connected to Him, the Vine. Jesus explains this when He calls Himself the True Vine in John 15:1-8: "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
"I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."
Jesus begins this statement by emphasizing that He is the True Vine, which means that there are other vines that are not true. Similarly, He states in John 10 that there are false shepherds who bring destruction, while He brings the more abundant life. These false shepherds include new age philosophers, psychics, the god of materialism, etc. These false shepherds lead entrepreneurs and other individuals to a material success that is void of a life of fulfillment and eternity.
The more abundant life is also a life that includes bearing much fruit. This "much fruit" is the overflowing experience, a life that provides you with more than enough in spiritual things and enhances your natural condition. This "much fruit", because of the power of the Holy Spirit, overflows into wise business practices and profitable, long-term decision making for your Kingdom Business. This, of course, cannot be achieved outside of Christ.
How do you achieve this?
1. You must be attached to the True Vine.
2. You must allow Him to prune you.
3. His Word must abide in you.
The Apostle Paul understood this because he walked in the more abundant life. Despite prison, persecution, shipwreck, and a thorn in the flesh, he was able to write more of the New Testament than any other person and touched more territory with the Gospel than any other person in His time. What was his secret? His existence was in Christ.
Here is what he said:
"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:7-11).
Do you want to overflow in your life and business? Get lost in Jesus, immerse yourself in His Word, and allow Him to prune your life through the trials you are currently facing so that you may bear much fruit.
Next week we will discuss the attributes of the abundant life.
In last's week devotional, we defined the more abundant life as an existence in Christ that is overflowing with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. We asked the question, "Do you desire this overflowing experience?" Assuming the answer was, "Yes" we will now address how to have this experience.
Walking in the more abundant life begins with abiding in Christ. This means that you find your existence, your very survival, and your source, in being connected to Him, the Vine. Jesus explains this when He calls Himself the True Vine in John 15:1-8: "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
"I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."
Jesus begins this statement by emphasizing that He is the True Vine, which means that there are other vines that are not true. Similarly, He states in John 10 that there are false shepherds who bring destruction, while He brings the more abundant life. These false shepherds include new age philosophers, psychics, the god of materialism, etc. These false shepherds lead entrepreneurs and other individuals to a material success that is void of a life of fulfillment and eternity.
The more abundant life is also a life that includes bearing much fruit. This "much fruit" is the overflowing experience, a life that provides you with more than enough in spiritual things and enhances your natural condition. This "much fruit", because of the power of the Holy Spirit, overflows into wise business practices and profitable, long-term decision making for your Kingdom Business. This, of course, cannot be achieved outside of Christ.
How do you achieve this?
1. You must be attached to the True Vine.
2. You must allow Him to prune you.
3. His Word must abide in you.
The Apostle Paul understood this because he walked in the more abundant life. Despite prison, persecution, shipwreck, and a thorn in the flesh, he was able to write more of the New Testament than any other person and touched more territory with the Gospel than any other person in His time. What was his secret? His existence was in Christ.
Here is what he said:
"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:7-11).
Do you want to overflow in your life and business? Get lost in Jesus, immerse yourself in His Word, and allow Him to prune your life through the trials you are currently facing so that you may bear much fruit.
Next week we will discuss the attributes of the abundant life.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The More Abundant Life
"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
Each year for the last seven years, as a part of our strategic action plan for the year, we develop a theme that serves as a spiritual compass for us. That theme directs us and keeps us aligned in the Lord's direction for the year. Identifying a theme keeps me personally focused and spiritually alert to make decisions throughout the year, to address challenges, and to embrace the opportunities of the year. Last year our theme was contentment. This theme enabled us to have a deeper appreciation for what the Lord had done for us, what we had, and who we were in Him.
This year, our theme is the more abundant life. For the next several weeks, the weekly devotional topics will amplify this theme. I pray you will be blessed as we journey together into how to walk in the more abundant life that Jesus promised all those who will believe in him. I also encourage you, if it is not a part of your practice already, to begin developing your own theme, based, of course, on your own plan for the year. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs, including kingdom entrepreneurs, do not make planning as a part of their business culture, which limits their ability to achieve God's best for their business. Whatever you have accomplished without proactive, consistent planning, I guarantee, with proactive planning, you will do at least fifty percent more.
I will be honest, when the Lord first gave me this theme last year, my first impression was that it had to do with bringing us as an organization into abundant prosperity. But with further study and prayer, I concluded that even though the more abundant life does not preclude material prosperity, it is deeper than that. Material prosperity is merely one of the benefits of the more abundant life, but not the goal. You can have a materially prosperous life without an abundant life, but you cannot have an abundant life without being materially prosperous. Material prosperity is not defined by a certain lifestyle or a certain income, but rather it is defined by the quality of your lifestyle and income. Jesus was materially prosperous but had no income. Many of us today would not want to have the lifestyle he had since he did not live in a castle, did not drive a luxurious car, and did not wear fancy clothes and jewelry.
But he lacked nothing and was the most prosperous man who ever lived. Of course, there is nothing wrong with all those things I listed above. The problem is when you begin to use them to serve as a measurement of your spiritual well-being or worth. So what is an abundant life for the kingdom business steward and why is it so critical in today's uncertain business environment?
Notice that Jesus began His statement in John 10:10 by first contrasting with the work of the enemy. He stated that the thief, meaning the devil, comes for three reasons only: to steal, kill, and destroy. So where there is theft, killing, and destruction, it is either the direct work of Satan or the result of sin which is caused by cooperating with the work of Satan.
Yes, I realize that the economy is bad, and we continue to hear nothing but bad news. But you do not have to buy into the lie that suggests you have to be a victim of the recession. If you do so, you are cooperating with the works of darkness that are seeking to bring an end to the plans of God in your life by destroying you and your business. As someone stated, you can choose not to participate in this recession and the devil cannot force you.
Of course, not all bad things we go through are caused by the enemy; some of them are caused by our own bad choices and sin in the world, but whatever the cause, God does give us a way of escape. The more abundant life is an existence in Christ that is overflowing with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not say you will have life which is mere existence, and he did not say you will have an abundant life which is an existence that is above the norm; rather, he said you will have a more abundant life, a life that overflows with more than you need.
Do you have an overflowing experience right now? Do you want an overflowing experience? Join me next week as will discuss how to get that experience. This experience will not only bless your business but your personal and family life. It will cause you to have a bounty year in mist of a drought, a harvest in midst of a famine, and hope in mist of despair, but you have to want it and seek it.
Each year for the last seven years, as a part of our strategic action plan for the year, we develop a theme that serves as a spiritual compass for us. That theme directs us and keeps us aligned in the Lord's direction for the year. Identifying a theme keeps me personally focused and spiritually alert to make decisions throughout the year, to address challenges, and to embrace the opportunities of the year. Last year our theme was contentment. This theme enabled us to have a deeper appreciation for what the Lord had done for us, what we had, and who we were in Him.
This year, our theme is the more abundant life. For the next several weeks, the weekly devotional topics will amplify this theme. I pray you will be blessed as we journey together into how to walk in the more abundant life that Jesus promised all those who will believe in him. I also encourage you, if it is not a part of your practice already, to begin developing your own theme, based, of course, on your own plan for the year. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs, including kingdom entrepreneurs, do not make planning as a part of their business culture, which limits their ability to achieve God's best for their business. Whatever you have accomplished without proactive, consistent planning, I guarantee, with proactive planning, you will do at least fifty percent more.
I will be honest, when the Lord first gave me this theme last year, my first impression was that it had to do with bringing us as an organization into abundant prosperity. But with further study and prayer, I concluded that even though the more abundant life does not preclude material prosperity, it is deeper than that. Material prosperity is merely one of the benefits of the more abundant life, but not the goal. You can have a materially prosperous life without an abundant life, but you cannot have an abundant life without being materially prosperous. Material prosperity is not defined by a certain lifestyle or a certain income, but rather it is defined by the quality of your lifestyle and income. Jesus was materially prosperous but had no income. Many of us today would not want to have the lifestyle he had since he did not live in a castle, did not drive a luxurious car, and did not wear fancy clothes and jewelry.
But he lacked nothing and was the most prosperous man who ever lived. Of course, there is nothing wrong with all those things I listed above. The problem is when you begin to use them to serve as a measurement of your spiritual well-being or worth. So what is an abundant life for the kingdom business steward and why is it so critical in today's uncertain business environment?
Notice that Jesus began His statement in John 10:10 by first contrasting with the work of the enemy. He stated that the thief, meaning the devil, comes for three reasons only: to steal, kill, and destroy. So where there is theft, killing, and destruction, it is either the direct work of Satan or the result of sin which is caused by cooperating with the work of Satan.
Yes, I realize that the economy is bad, and we continue to hear nothing but bad news. But you do not have to buy into the lie that suggests you have to be a victim of the recession. If you do so, you are cooperating with the works of darkness that are seeking to bring an end to the plans of God in your life by destroying you and your business. As someone stated, you can choose not to participate in this recession and the devil cannot force you.
Of course, not all bad things we go through are caused by the enemy; some of them are caused by our own bad choices and sin in the world, but whatever the cause, God does give us a way of escape. The more abundant life is an existence in Christ that is overflowing with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not say you will have life which is mere existence, and he did not say you will have an abundant life which is an existence that is above the norm; rather, he said you will have a more abundant life, a life that overflows with more than you need.
Do you have an overflowing experience right now? Do you want an overflowing experience? Join me next week as will discuss how to get that experience. This experience will not only bless your business but your personal and family life. It will cause you to have a bounty year in mist of a drought, a harvest in midst of a famine, and hope in mist of despair, but you have to want it and seek it.
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