-Skye Ganba'atar
Hi folks! I'm back from maternity leave and adjusting to leaving our beautiful baby at home w/ Dad while I am at the Center. It's been good to be back and it's fun to see how much is happening at RCE these days!
Tom Stansbury is in Ukraine for 3 months; he taught BE (Biblical Entrepreneurship) and is working with our Center in Ternopil, along with other projects he has going.
John Mulford is in Africa at the moment, visiting various countries (including Kenya, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda)--nurturing relationships, brainstorming projects, and meeting friends old and new.
Wes Stewart got a new job and moved to DC in what seems less than the time it's taking me to write this post! He has just finished his Masters in organizational leadership so it's wonderful to see how the Lord has provided a wonderful job just in the perfect time. :)
So it's good to be back!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Start-up Cost
-Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner (on left in picture at right)
"For which of you intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." Luke 14:28
There are two dimensions to start-up cost; the spiritual dimension and the natural dimension.
The spiritual dimension involves the price and sacrifice that you must endure as a new believer before you reach spiritual breakeven. In addressing the multitude, Jesus was mindful that if many of them did not consider this cost before following Him, they would become spiritually bankrupt before the end of the journey.
Spiritual breakeven occurs when the price and sacrifice that you must endure to follow Christ, and the rewards associated with following Him, are equal. Once you reach this point you are about to cross the dimension where your walk with Christ becomes profitable. You no longer look back, you enjoy the fruit of obedience and you are no longer tempted by temporal pleasures.
The natural dimension of start-up cost is typically defined as the pre-opening, one-time expenditures that one incurs to open a new facility, introduce a new product or service, or open a new business. I would like to expand upon this definition to include the operating cost required for the business to breakeven, which may include the owners' salary, if he or she operates the business and does not have any other source of income.
Having said that, I define start-up cost as: the one time expenses required to open a new business until it reaches the point of breakeven. These expenses may include;
1. Business training
2. Business registration
3. Rent for 3 months plus
4. Salaries for 3 months plus
5. Supplies
6. Inventory
7. Business licenses
8. Insurance
9. Advertising for 3 months plus
10. Legal and accountant fees
11. And more
Unfortunately, when many entrepreneurs consider their start-up costs, they do not include everything they will need. Furthermore, they limit their costs to the expenses necessary until the opening day of the business. The consequences of this are: their businesses become under-funded, they experience cash flow shortage, and they may have to close down.
Until you experience breakeven, you are still in the start-up phase. Breakeven is the period in the business when your sales revenue equals your total cost. At this point, you are neither profitable nor do you experience loss. You cannot be profitable until you breakeven. Before breakeven, your business is sustained by the capital investment you began the business with, or the additional capital that you had to acquire after the business started. If you do not have enough capital to last you until breakeven, you may run out of cash and be forced to shut the business down or drastically reduce expenses.
What are the keys to accurately determining your start-up cost?
To determine your start-up cost consider the following:
- Your start-up cost begins on the day you decide to open the business - even though the business may start months (and sometimes years) from the day you decided to start the business. Every cost related to the business, that you incur from the day you decided to go into business, is considered a startup cost.
- Research similar businesses - to ensure that you do not miss anything, talk to other entrepreneurs who started similar businesses and find out the various expenses they had to incur before they started their businesses and how long it took them to breakeven.
- Get quotes from prospective vendors - to ensure that your estimates are accurate, make sure to talk to prospective vendors to ensure that you get up-to-date prices.
- Keep fixed costs to a minimum - many entrepreneurs are so eager to create a perception that they are successful that they commit to fixed costs such as rent and salaries that are beyond their abilities. High fixed costs require a significant start-up cost to cover them. They also lengthen the period that is required to breakeven.
- Consider all the expenses required to breakeven - this is critical because until you breakeven you will need capital to finance the business. Therefore raising capital in the front end makes managing the business easier.
- Consider your cash flow - you may breakeven but still need cash because you have not collected all of your money. Depending on the nature of your business or your collection policy, you may not collect 100% of your receipt on the day of purchase. This can cause you to need cash even though you have the assets in your receivables. When this occurs, you will need to use the cash from your initial investment, or raise additional cash, to fund the business until you are able to collect everything.
Are you considering starting a new business, expanding an existing business or launching a new product? Sit down and determine your start-up cost to ensure that you have enough resources to finish, so the Lord can be glorified in your efforts.
Patrice Tsague is the founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries (NPIM)
"For which of you intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." Luke 14:28
There are two dimensions to start-up cost; the spiritual dimension and the natural dimension.
The spiritual dimension involves the price and sacrifice that you must endure as a new believer before you reach spiritual breakeven. In addressing the multitude, Jesus was mindful that if many of them did not consider this cost before following Him, they would become spiritually bankrupt before the end of the journey.
Spiritual breakeven occurs when the price and sacrifice that you must endure to follow Christ, and the rewards associated with following Him, are equal. Once you reach this point you are about to cross the dimension where your walk with Christ becomes profitable. You no longer look back, you enjoy the fruit of obedience and you are no longer tempted by temporal pleasures.
The natural dimension of start-up cost is typically defined as the pre-opening, one-time expenditures that one incurs to open a new facility, introduce a new product or service, or open a new business. I would like to expand upon this definition to include the operating cost required for the business to breakeven, which may include the owners' salary, if he or she operates the business and does not have any other source of income.
Having said that, I define start-up cost as: the one time expenses required to open a new business until it reaches the point of breakeven. These expenses may include;
1. Business training
2. Business registration
3. Rent for 3 months plus
4. Salaries for 3 months plus
5. Supplies
6. Inventory
7. Business licenses
8. Insurance
9. Advertising for 3 months plus
10. Legal and accountant fees
11. And more
Unfortunately, when many entrepreneurs consider their start-up costs, they do not include everything they will need. Furthermore, they limit their costs to the expenses necessary until the opening day of the business. The consequences of this are: their businesses become under-funded, they experience cash flow shortage, and they may have to close down.
Until you experience breakeven, you are still in the start-up phase. Breakeven is the period in the business when your sales revenue equals your total cost. At this point, you are neither profitable nor do you experience loss. You cannot be profitable until you breakeven. Before breakeven, your business is sustained by the capital investment you began the business with, or the additional capital that you had to acquire after the business started. If you do not have enough capital to last you until breakeven, you may run out of cash and be forced to shut the business down or drastically reduce expenses.
What are the keys to accurately determining your start-up cost?
To determine your start-up cost consider the following:
- Your start-up cost begins on the day you decide to open the business - even though the business may start months (and sometimes years) from the day you decided to start the business. Every cost related to the business, that you incur from the day you decided to go into business, is considered a startup cost.
- Research similar businesses - to ensure that you do not miss anything, talk to other entrepreneurs who started similar businesses and find out the various expenses they had to incur before they started their businesses and how long it took them to breakeven.
- Get quotes from prospective vendors - to ensure that your estimates are accurate, make sure to talk to prospective vendors to ensure that you get up-to-date prices.
- Keep fixed costs to a minimum - many entrepreneurs are so eager to create a perception that they are successful that they commit to fixed costs such as rent and salaries that are beyond their abilities. High fixed costs require a significant start-up cost to cover them. They also lengthen the period that is required to breakeven.
- Consider all the expenses required to breakeven - this is critical because until you breakeven you will need capital to finance the business. Therefore raising capital in the front end makes managing the business easier.
- Consider your cash flow - you may breakeven but still need cash because you have not collected all of your money. Depending on the nature of your business or your collection policy, you may not collect 100% of your receipt on the day of purchase. This can cause you to need cash even though you have the assets in your receivables. When this occurs, you will need to use the cash from your initial investment, or raise additional cash, to fund the business until you are able to collect everything.
Are you considering starting a new business, expanding an existing business or launching a new product? Sit down and determine your start-up cost to ensure that you have enough resources to finish, so the Lord can be glorified in your efforts.
Patrice Tsague is the founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries (NPIM)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Mauritius and the ICT pillar
- Jason Benedict, RCE Strategist
One of the laments that I have had through the years is the incredible sluggishness with which many African countries have embraced information and communication technology (ICT). I have for several years envisioned the possibilities of a thriving business process outsourcing (BPO) business in Africa akin to that of India, especially for the Francophone countries of Africa. My thoughts have been that eventually, some enlightened leader in one of these countries will realize the tremendous pent-up opportunity they have, and take the steps needed to open the doors. My hope has been that once the process started other countries would see the potential and follow suit. Mauritius may be the pace setter in this scenario.
The government of Mauritius has launched on a bold plan to establish themselves as a “Cyber Island” by making ICT the 5th pillar of their economy alongside the pillars of Sugar, Textiles, Tourism and Financial Services. Their hope is to establish this island nation as a strategic regional hub for ICT, BPO, and other information technology enabled services, thus attracting foreign direct investment for this and related sectors.
They are not blowing smoke. It appears that they are well on their way to making this vision a reality. They have IP protection legislation and have liberalized telecommunications. This is a bold move when so many African governments are reluctant to relinquish state owned cash cows. They have started a computer in every household initiative. Their ICT sector is growing at over 25% annually, and the marketplace is already populated with hundreds of firms including several major ICT players.
An opportunity that seems especially attractive to me is BPO and call center services for the Francophone world. Mauritius has a wonderfully bilingual workforce (French/English). With the high cost of employment in European Francophone countries, BPO in Mauritius is very attractive. I think this may be a situation where enterprising minds could find BAM and other Kingdom opportunities. JP lists them as having 6 peoples in the least reached category.
Jason is a contributing editor with Momentum Magazine. He serves as a missionary with Calvary International and works as a strategist with the Regent Center for Entrepreneurship in Virginia Beach. He has written a book on business as mission titled Eden Inc.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Recession-Proof Living
-Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
A recession is a significant decline in general economic activity that extends over a period of time, usually two consecutive quarters. The US economy faces recessions almost every 10 years but they do not last long. Signs of recessions include: an above the norm increase in the unemployment rate, two consecutive quarters of declining GDP, less business activities that last at least three months, personal income decline, and increase in the prices of consumer goods. If not dealt with, a recession can turn into a depression.
To protect yourself from financial failure during an economic recession you must minimize your spending, increase your saving, remain consistent in your giving, pray without ceasing, and stay in the Word of God. Though Christians are not immune to economic recessions, we have a competitive advantage since we can tap into the supernatural.
Worse than a natural recession though, is a spiritual recession. A spiritual recession is a significant decline in spiritual activities over a period of time. The fruit of this recession is often anxiety, fear and doubt. Like the economic recession, if not dealt with, a spiritual recession can turn into a depression. A spiritual depression is a spiritual and mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a loss of hope. Avoid a spiritual depression at all cost. To avoid it, you must make sure you do not get into a spiritual recession; if you do, you must deal with it as soon as possible.
The signs of a spiritual recession are: decline in your devotional life and prayer, decrease in your giving and church involvement, and a longing to isolate yourself from other believers. How do you have a recession-proof life? If you live a spiritual recession-proof life, you will not have to worry about the economic recession because you will either be immune to it or prepared to handle it.
Here are 7 things to do to live a recession-proof life:
1. Stay in the Word
The Word of God will give you hope, wisdom, clarity, and insight to deal with every situation that you face in every aspect of your life. Maintain a daily devotion that is designed to get the Word of God into your spirit. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
2. Pray without ceasing
Prayer is direct communication to the throne room of God to make petitions and requests and give thanks for all He has done and is doing in our lives. It is essential because it enables us to address current problems and future problems before they occur. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:17-18
3. Take care of your family
You may say, "What does taking care of my family have to do with living a recession-proof life?" Well, the reality is, if God views you as worse than an unbeliever you will not be in favor with Him. If you are not in favor with God then you are in trouble. Also at the end of the day, the only people who will be there for you through thick and thin are members of your family. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
I Timothy 5:8
4. Do not forsake assembling with other believers
It is amazing how the devil uses isolation as a strategy to trap and manipulate believers and bring confusion into their lives. No matter how you feel, never isolate yourself from others; stay committed to a local assembly and to a network of other believers with like minds and common interests. Human beings are relational beings. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
5. Exercise and eat healthy
Most believers get so focused on eternal things that they forget they live in a physical body. Some even believe that exercise and maintaining a proper diet is not an important spiritual activity. Scripture puts a greater emphasis on spiritual virtues such as the fruit of the Spirit than it does on our bodies, but it recognizes the importance of taking care of our bodies through exercise and proper diet. The lack of exercise and maintaining a proper diet will lead to physical and mental health issues which will contribute to a spiritual recession. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. I Timothy 4:8
6. Know the state of your resources
Nothing can bring us into a spiritual recession like finances. Some people are so heavenly minded that they have become no earthly good. You need finances to handle most things here on the earth. Finances are as critical to your participation in the daily economy as blood is to your body. The lack of finances can bring you into a spiritual recession. Take proper control over your finances and become the steward God intends you to become. Do not ignore this area. Do not think that as long as you are praying and reading your Bible it will take care of itself. God has given you a mind, use it. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27:23-24
7. Count the cost and finish
Believe it or not, unfinished projects and activities are a great cause of recessions. You were created to fulfill your vows, you were created to maintain integrity, you were created to finish, and you were created in the image and likeness of God. Just as God cannot ignore unfinished projects without violating who He is, neither can you. Many people fall into recessions because they are overwhelmed by the amount of unfinished projects and activities that require their attention. To avoid this, you must count the cost. Make sure that before you commit yourself to anything, you have enough spiritual and physical resources to finish it. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30
Patrice Tsague is the founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries (NPIM)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
A recession is a significant decline in general economic activity that extends over a period of time, usually two consecutive quarters. The US economy faces recessions almost every 10 years but they do not last long. Signs of recessions include: an above the norm increase in the unemployment rate, two consecutive quarters of declining GDP, less business activities that last at least three months, personal income decline, and increase in the prices of consumer goods. If not dealt with, a recession can turn into a depression.
To protect yourself from financial failure during an economic recession you must minimize your spending, increase your saving, remain consistent in your giving, pray without ceasing, and stay in the Word of God. Though Christians are not immune to economic recessions, we have a competitive advantage since we can tap into the supernatural.
Worse than a natural recession though, is a spiritual recession. A spiritual recession is a significant decline in spiritual activities over a period of time. The fruit of this recession is often anxiety, fear and doubt. Like the economic recession, if not dealt with, a spiritual recession can turn into a depression. A spiritual depression is a spiritual and mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a loss of hope. Avoid a spiritual depression at all cost. To avoid it, you must make sure you do not get into a spiritual recession; if you do, you must deal with it as soon as possible.
The signs of a spiritual recession are: decline in your devotional life and prayer, decrease in your giving and church involvement, and a longing to isolate yourself from other believers. How do you have a recession-proof life? If you live a spiritual recession-proof life, you will not have to worry about the economic recession because you will either be immune to it or prepared to handle it.
Here are 7 things to do to live a recession-proof life:
1. Stay in the Word
The Word of God will give you hope, wisdom, clarity, and insight to deal with every situation that you face in every aspect of your life. Maintain a daily devotion that is designed to get the Word of God into your spirit. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
2. Pray without ceasing
Prayer is direct communication to the throne room of God to make petitions and requests and give thanks for all He has done and is doing in our lives. It is essential because it enables us to address current problems and future problems before they occur. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:17-18
3. Take care of your family
You may say, "What does taking care of my family have to do with living a recession-proof life?" Well, the reality is, if God views you as worse than an unbeliever you will not be in favor with Him. If you are not in favor with God then you are in trouble. Also at the end of the day, the only people who will be there for you through thick and thin are members of your family. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
I Timothy 5:8
4. Do not forsake assembling with other believers
It is amazing how the devil uses isolation as a strategy to trap and manipulate believers and bring confusion into their lives. No matter how you feel, never isolate yourself from others; stay committed to a local assembly and to a network of other believers with like minds and common interests. Human beings are relational beings. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
5. Exercise and eat healthy
Most believers get so focused on eternal things that they forget they live in a physical body. Some even believe that exercise and maintaining a proper diet is not an important spiritual activity. Scripture puts a greater emphasis on spiritual virtues such as the fruit of the Spirit than it does on our bodies, but it recognizes the importance of taking care of our bodies through exercise and proper diet. The lack of exercise and maintaining a proper diet will lead to physical and mental health issues which will contribute to a spiritual recession. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. I Timothy 4:8
6. Know the state of your resources
Nothing can bring us into a spiritual recession like finances. Some people are so heavenly minded that they have become no earthly good. You need finances to handle most things here on the earth. Finances are as critical to your participation in the daily economy as blood is to your body. The lack of finances can bring you into a spiritual recession. Take proper control over your finances and become the steward God intends you to become. Do not ignore this area. Do not think that as long as you are praying and reading your Bible it will take care of itself. God has given you a mind, use it. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27:23-24
7. Count the cost and finish
Believe it or not, unfinished projects and activities are a great cause of recessions. You were created to fulfill your vows, you were created to maintain integrity, you were created to finish, and you were created in the image and likeness of God. Just as God cannot ignore unfinished projects without violating who He is, neither can you. Many people fall into recessions because they are overwhelmed by the amount of unfinished projects and activities that require their attention. To avoid this, you must count the cost. Make sure that before you commit yourself to anything, you have enough spiritual and physical resources to finish it. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30
Patrice Tsague is the founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries (NPIM)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Joyce Ndugo, at RCE for 6 weeks
Joyce Ndugo has been working and learning here with us at the Center for Entrepreneurship for 6 weeks. She came to the States 10 months ago on a Humphrey Fellowship, and was at UNC for most of her program. It has been great to have Joyce with us, but the time has flown by and now she is preparing to return to her home in Nairobi, Kenya, this Sunday!Here is a portion of a letter Joyce wrote to us introducing herself and asking if she could join us for her professional affiliation:
In my country I work as a program officer for an organization called the Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK). My passion for business has led me to write to you. Actually this started seven years ago when I started getting very interested in business issues. Because I am a Christian believer, I have been asking God to direct me.
Since my arrival to the University of North Carolina, I have been encouraged by my program director to use my Humphrey year to pursue my passion. That, she says, is what the program is all about. I have consequently attended some classes on Family Business with an aim of eventually pursuing my business passion when I go back to Kenya in June.
A part of the Humphrey Program comprises professional affiliation of one's interests. I am writing to you to express an interest in joining your organization for about six weeks. My objective is to actualize the business passion I have had, and to do so on Biblical principles.
From your Website I have been encouraged to read about how your center views business as a mission for God's kingdom. I would like to extend the same perspective to Kenya through being affiliated to your organization. My business ideas include the manufacture of food storage plastic paper for Kenyan families, or recycled paper for hotels to international export and import business under the framework called the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
We have been blessed to have Joyce become a part of the Center's team, even for such a brief time, and look forward to seeing how the Lord leads her forward to bless her nation through kingdom business!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Godly Contentment: "A Learned Behavior"
by Patrice Tsague, RCE partner
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I'am, to be content:" Philippians 4:11
Contentment is an interesting concept in an entrepreneur's world since all entrepreneurs are looking for more business, more customers, and more money.
How do we remain content in a process that rewards the pursuit of more and views lack as defeat and failure? We find ourselves in a market place environment that rewards the pursuit of more and puts no limitation on how to achieve it except to not get caught. The reality is that in order to understand godly contentment, we must first change our paradigm of business. It is impossible for us to be content with the world's approach to business because it uses discontentment as a tool to motivate people to be innovative and productive.
A new Biblical Entrepreneur Certified Instructor told me that his supervisor in a company he once worked for took him to a dealership to finance a brand new car in order to motivate him to increase his sales. TV advertisements are full of images that are designed to cause us to be discontent with our current circumstances so that we want more. Contentment is not something we are born with, nor does it come automatically with the born again experience. It is a learned behavior. I read of a Quaker who placed a sign on his house that stated, "I will give this house to any man who can prove to me that he is content." After some time, someone came knocking at the door and said he saw the sign and wanted to claim the house, he stated that he was perfectly content. The Quaker asked what he meant. He said, "I have everything I want, all the money I need, everything in life that could satisfy me. I am perfectly content. "The Quaker said, "Friend, if thee so content what does thee want with my house?" Many of us are like that man; we claim to be content while still seeking for more.
What does it really mean to be content? Contentment is the Spirit-led ability to accept God's will for our lives no matter what our circumstances. It is a learned behavior that gives us the ability to achieve great gain in Christ. I love the definition Ray C. Stedman gives; he defines contentment as only wanting what you have. This is a great way to view contentment. Since most of us are always looking to get what we do not have, Stedman reverses it and gets our focus on what we do have. Remember, if you do not want what you have, you will not appreciate it, if you do not appreciate what you have you will not take care of it and if you do not take care of it then you may eventually loose it. While if you want what you have, you will appreciate it, take care of it and if you take care of it you will have more. The key then to getting more is wanting what you have. How do you achieve godly contentment? How do you get to the point where you only want what you have and no longer focus on trying to keep up with the Jones' or the Gates', especially as an entrepreneur.
To achieve godly contentment you must keep the following seven things in mind:
1. Recognize that you have brought nothing into this world and you will carry nothing out. I Timothy 6:7, Job 1:21 2.
2. Recognize that both riches and poverty are from God. 1 Samuel 2:7 3.
3. Learn the lessons taught in the times of lack. James 1:2-4 4.
4. Master the art of stewardship. I Corinthians 4:2, Luke 16:1-13 5.
5. Learn to appreciate every blessing no matter how great or small. I Thessalonians 5:18 6.
6. Put your trust in Christ and not in your resources.
Matthew 6:33 7.
7. Guard against the love of money. I Timothy 6:10, Luke 12:15-21
Recognize that implementing these things cannot be done by might but must be done by the Spirit. You cannot will yourself to be content; Christ must empower you and give you the grace to achieve contentment. The dangers of not aspiring towards this virtue are great. I Timothy 6:9-10 explain it best: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Therefore, pursue contentment and with it, godliness and you are assured to avoid great failure and have great gain in Christ.
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I'am, to be content:" Philippians 4:11
Contentment is an interesting concept in an entrepreneur's world since all entrepreneurs are looking for more business, more customers, and more money.
How do we remain content in a process that rewards the pursuit of more and views lack as defeat and failure? We find ourselves in a market place environment that rewards the pursuit of more and puts no limitation on how to achieve it except to not get caught. The reality is that in order to understand godly contentment, we must first change our paradigm of business. It is impossible for us to be content with the world's approach to business because it uses discontentment as a tool to motivate people to be innovative and productive.
A new Biblical Entrepreneur Certified Instructor told me that his supervisor in a company he once worked for took him to a dealership to finance a brand new car in order to motivate him to increase his sales. TV advertisements are full of images that are designed to cause us to be discontent with our current circumstances so that we want more. Contentment is not something we are born with, nor does it come automatically with the born again experience. It is a learned behavior. I read of a Quaker who placed a sign on his house that stated, "I will give this house to any man who can prove to me that he is content." After some time, someone came knocking at the door and said he saw the sign and wanted to claim the house, he stated that he was perfectly content. The Quaker asked what he meant. He said, "I have everything I want, all the money I need, everything in life that could satisfy me. I am perfectly content. "The Quaker said, "Friend, if thee so content what does thee want with my house?" Many of us are like that man; we claim to be content while still seeking for more.
What does it really mean to be content? Contentment is the Spirit-led ability to accept God's will for our lives no matter what our circumstances. It is a learned behavior that gives us the ability to achieve great gain in Christ. I love the definition Ray C. Stedman gives; he defines contentment as only wanting what you have. This is a great way to view contentment. Since most of us are always looking to get what we do not have, Stedman reverses it and gets our focus on what we do have. Remember, if you do not want what you have, you will not appreciate it, if you do not appreciate what you have you will not take care of it and if you do not take care of it then you may eventually loose it. While if you want what you have, you will appreciate it, take care of it and if you take care of it you will have more. The key then to getting more is wanting what you have. How do you achieve godly contentment? How do you get to the point where you only want what you have and no longer focus on trying to keep up with the Jones' or the Gates', especially as an entrepreneur.
To achieve godly contentment you must keep the following seven things in mind:
1. Recognize that you have brought nothing into this world and you will carry nothing out. I Timothy 6:7, Job 1:21 2.
2. Recognize that both riches and poverty are from God. 1 Samuel 2:7 3.
3. Learn the lessons taught in the times of lack. James 1:2-4 4.
4. Master the art of stewardship. I Corinthians 4:2, Luke 16:1-13 5.
5. Learn to appreciate every blessing no matter how great or small. I Thessalonians 5:18 6.
6. Put your trust in Christ and not in your resources.
Matthew 6:33 7.
7. Guard against the love of money. I Timothy 6:10, Luke 12:15-21
Recognize that implementing these things cannot be done by might but must be done by the Spirit. You cannot will yourself to be content; Christ must empower you and give you the grace to achieve contentment. The dangers of not aspiring towards this virtue are great. I Timothy 6:9-10 explain it best: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Therefore, pursue contentment and with it, godliness and you are assured to avoid great failure and have great gain in Christ.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Envy Not the Oppressor
by Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31
The 10th commandment instructs us to not covet anything that belongs to our neighbor. To covet is to have a strong desire for something that does not belong to us. Covetousness is birthed out of envy. To envy is to have a grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another. It is resentment towards the success of another. The Bible warns us against envy since the Lord knows that it will produce covetous spirit in us. Covetousness produces the spirit of materialism which leads us to put things above God. Once we do that, we violate another commandment; "you shall have no other gods before Me" Exodus 20:3.
Biblical Entrepreneurs, especially, must guard against envy since they are in the marketplace which is full of individuals who have achieved earthly success without God. Some of those individuals have even used God to achieve their success without necessarily employing His ways or worshipping Him as God.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 23:17
Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company. Proverbs 24:1
You may ask why anyone would envy someone who does not share his or her values. The answer is simple - money, power, possessions and influence. Although most believers would openly admit that they would never cheat, lie, steal or use ungodly tactics in their business practices, many envy or admire those who do and who have acquired money, power, possessions and influence through those tactics. The more admiration believers have for those in the world, the more vulnerable they are to employing their ways to achieve success. Who are your marketplace heroes? Which leaders do you admire? What ways have they employed to achieve their success?
Why is God warning believers not to envy individuals who do not reflect their values? Because it will lead them to choosing their ways. Yes, if you envy someone long enough you will eventually employ his methods and practices to achieve his results.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16
During my years in high school I had a friend named Jason. We both attended a private Christian high school. Jason was born and raised in a Christian household, but I was not. We had been taught about the dangers of drugs. One year Jason attended summer school because he had failed some courses during the school year. While in summer school, he met a young entrepreneur whose business was in the pharmaceutical industry; he sold illegal drugs. He drove an SUV that we all envied, and had money, power, possessions and influence. Jason soon became friends with him with no intentions of ever participating in his lifestyle or joining him in the business. Within 6 months of their relationship, Jason was arrested for selling illegal drugs. This led Jason to be placed under house arrest, which meant he was being monitored by the police from his home at all times. However, he violated it with my help since we did not understand the consequences of our actions. Jason ended up in prison. He was later released but was later arrested and sent back to prison. The next time he was released, he was shot and killed because in prison he further took on the ways of those who did not share his values. Jason swore he would never sell drugs but because of envy; a desire for the money, power, possessions and influence of another, he chose his ways. This ignorant act led to him losing his life at the age of 21.
How then do we avoid envying the oppressor? Reject his benefits. Reject the money, the power, possessions and influence. As a Biblical Entrepreneur you must say in your heart, "if the only way for me to get money, power, possessions and influence is to employ the ways of the oppressor, I reject them." Remember, the Scripture teaches us that it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot without right Proverbs 16:8. By rejecting the benefits of the oppressor, you are committing to choose the ways of God as the only option you have to obtain money, power, possessions, and influence. God is not against you having money, power, possessions, and influence, all He wants is for you to acquire them by seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He wants us to, "delight ourselves in [Him] and He will give [us] the desires of [our] heart[s]" Psalm 37:4. He wants us to choose "godliness with contentment" with the promise that it will achieve "great gain" 1 Timothy 6:6.
Patrice Tsague is the Founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries.
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31
Biblical Entrepreneurs, especially, must guard against envy since they are in the marketplace which is full of individuals who have achieved earthly success without God. Some of those individuals have even used God to achieve their success without necessarily employing His ways or worshipping Him as God.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 23:17
Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company. Proverbs 24:1
You may ask why anyone would envy someone who does not share his or her values. The answer is simple - money, power, possessions and influence. Although most believers would openly admit that they would never cheat, lie, steal or use ungodly tactics in their business practices, many envy or admire those who do and who have acquired money, power, possessions and influence through those tactics. The more admiration believers have for those in the world, the more vulnerable they are to employing their ways to achieve success. Who are your marketplace heroes? Which leaders do you admire? What ways have they employed to achieve their success?
Why is God warning believers not to envy individuals who do not reflect their values? Because it will lead them to choosing their ways. Yes, if you envy someone long enough you will eventually employ his methods and practices to achieve his results.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16
During my years in high school I had a friend named Jason. We both attended a private Christian high school. Jason was born and raised in a Christian household, but I was not. We had been taught about the dangers of drugs. One year Jason attended summer school because he had failed some courses during the school year. While in summer school, he met a young entrepreneur whose business was in the pharmaceutical industry; he sold illegal drugs. He drove an SUV that we all envied, and had money, power, possessions and influence. Jason soon became friends with him with no intentions of ever participating in his lifestyle or joining him in the business. Within 6 months of their relationship, Jason was arrested for selling illegal drugs. This led Jason to be placed under house arrest, which meant he was being monitored by the police from his home at all times. However, he violated it with my help since we did not understand the consequences of our actions. Jason ended up in prison. He was later released but was later arrested and sent back to prison. The next time he was released, he was shot and killed because in prison he further took on the ways of those who did not share his values. Jason swore he would never sell drugs but because of envy; a desire for the money, power, possessions and influence of another, he chose his ways. This ignorant act led to him losing his life at the age of 21.
How then do we avoid envying the oppressor? Reject his benefits. Reject the money, the power, possessions and influence. As a Biblical Entrepreneur you must say in your heart, "if the only way for me to get money, power, possessions and influence is to employ the ways of the oppressor, I reject them." Remember, the Scripture teaches us that it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot without right Proverbs 16:8. By rejecting the benefits of the oppressor, you are committing to choose the ways of God as the only option you have to obtain money, power, possessions, and influence. God is not against you having money, power, possessions, and influence, all He wants is for you to acquire them by seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He wants us to, "delight ourselves in [Him] and He will give [us] the desires of [our] heart[s]" Psalm 37:4. He wants us to choose "godliness with contentment" with the promise that it will achieve "great gain" 1 Timothy 6:6.
Patrice Tsague is the Founder of Nehemiah Project International Ministries.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ups and Downs of Business in Central Asia
One of our friends, Melody, is currently in Central Asia working with a small business venture. She writes of various joys and trials she is experiencing in her 2nd home. Relationships bring depth and richness to her life... and disappointment, at times. Supplies are running low and a trip will be taken to a neighboring country for restocking. (Yet another culture to learn about!) Local women are gaining skills in the trade, and one has excelled to such a degree that she will be able to train others.Please pray for Melody in these areas:
-Wisdom in directing this business
-Continued favor in the local community and with families of those working in this business
-Safety in travel to pick up more supplies
-Good business contacts in-country, in the US, and around the world
-Protection with regard to abusive phone calls
-A partner to share in the work
-New believers and the challenges they face in pressing on, wisdom in practicing their faith, and for growth.
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