Called to Business

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed are those who heed wisdom’s instruction.” (Proverbs 29:18)

What is revelation? It is an insight from God. Wow! Imagine having access to someone who knows everything, sees everything, knows everyone and can see into the future.

We absolutely have that with God, yet we tend to take it for granted. If you need some direction in your business, he is vitality interested in your work life. Imagine the opportunity to talk with the ultimate business guru, would you go out of your way for an hour with Jobs, or Gates? Well, you have access to someone far far superior, better connected and infinitely more capable.

Why not spend some time with him and get your revelation.

Quick Prayer. “I need your revelation Father.” Amen

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Who keeps you sharp? Who do you have in your life who you trust—who you can “do life with”? We all need people who love God who can keep us sharp.

Often in our busy lives those relationships have drifted away or may not even exist. Ask God today to bring someone into your life or reacquaint yourself with a true friend. Why not schedule in some time to stay sharp with good company?

Be careful of a life with many acquaintances and no true friends. We all need some accountability. In order to gain true friendship, we need to be a true friend. As in any relationship, we will only get out what we put in. Investing in friendship is a sure way to surround yourself with great friends.

Quick Prayer. “Lead me to people who I can trust Lord.” Amen

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” ( Proverbs 30:5)

We all need protection. From time to time we are attacked. We are in a war, expect some flak. So how do we defend ourselves and fight back? Jesus used the word of God as a weapon.

Here we are advised to use it as a shield. If you find yourself in trouble in business, or in your personal life; Speak the word of God. Get to know your armoury, you never know when you will l need it. If you take the time to study the bible, it will become a part of who you are.

Speaking the word was modeled to us by Jesus, how much more do we need that protection?

Quick Prayer. “Protect me when I need a shield Lord. Teach me to use your word.” Amen

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs (4:23)

Above all else? Really? This is the most important thing? Yes it is, if it is indeed ‘above all else’.

Our hearts are hard to understand. They are the wellspring of emotion, feelings, motivators and passions. We can damage our hearts by exposing them to the wrong influences and they can be deceptive.

This scripture tells us that everything we do flows from it. Wow, now that is something we just do not understand. Even what we say is influenced as “out of our heart our mouth speaks”.

Be careful of potential destructive relationships in your business and private world, and do your upmost to protect your heart. It is obviously an important part of us to protect.

Quick Prayer. “Help me guard my heart Jesus.” Amen

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

What is knowledge? Is it just the accumulation of facts or something deeper? In my view it needs to be applicable to have any value. The fear of God is described as the beginning of knowledge, the foundation of understanding. This is not just some etherial understanding of God but a practical knowledge that is applicable in the real world, in our everyday existence at work.

If wisdom is to develop we need to know that God is God and that his word is revelation. If you want knowledge go to God and read his word and ask his Spirit to reveal its treasures to you. Do this and you will have knowledge, instruction and wisdom.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to respect your word, for Your sake.” Amen

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

How often do we take circumstances and try to figure out the meaning. We look at our business or things that happen and can’t make sense of them.

An infinite God has a different perspective. How do we ever expect to understand him? We won’t. His ways are not our ways, his thoughts not our thoughts. Sometimes we need to understand that we won’t understand and just……trust.

Often just as we think we have God in a box, and understand Him, things change and the mystery continues. It is just a part of our walk with God. Why don’t we just let God be God, we don’t always have to understand.

Quick Prayer. “I will trust you.” Amen

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Wow! What a promise. All the promises of God are “yes and amen” to those who love Jesus (see 2 Cor 1:20). You will have more than enough when you are faithful and honor God with your income. His Word is true; He is not a man that He would lie (see Num 23:19). Do we dare to accept Him according to His Word and exercise faith and action to appropriate His promise?

This is a mind-bending promise but one that is true because God said it was so. How we honor God with our first fruits is between us and God, and many errors have been placed on this truth. The important part is recognizing the truth of His provision and actually acting on it to reflect the command to honor Him with the cream of the crop.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you that you are a generous God. Please bless me according to your Word, as I have sought to be faithful to your will.” Amen

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;” (Proverbs 3:9)

The principal of giving a portion is infused in the scriptures. Honoring God with a holy portion, tithe or sacrifice is a spiritual principle. If it is all His, why not honour Him with acknowledging His Lordship by bringing your gift into the storehouse.

This is not a legalistic practice but a Godly discipline and acknowledgement that all we have comes from Him. It helps keep it all in perspective. We think so much about these things that a fresh perspective is probably not a bad thing. Tithing may not even be for today, but it’s probably a good starting point.

He doesn’t need your money, but He does require your obedience. I have found that a surrendered heart moderates greed. Perhaps we need to give, to receive.

Quick Prayer. “I will give you the best part of all you have given me, for you are my Lord.” Amen

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)

You are what you say. God spoke the world into being and we are created in His image. how many have been damaged by having negative words spoken over them by a parent, teacher or minister?

Describing the tongue as having the power of life or death is about as strong a term as you could use. God is obviously placing a massive emphasis on the importance of what say, so therefore, so should we!

Watch what you say, be measured in your words, encourage, build up and edify those around you and yourself. You will inhabit the world created by your words.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to be aware of my words and the power they hold.” Amen

“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” (Proverbs 11:24)

In the world we are taught that if you are tight with your money you will get more yet  the law of the Kingdom is the opposite. Give and it will be given unto you. Withhold and you will come to poverty. It sounds upside down, but how often is that true with the things that God asks of us. He had to die to bring life. Death led to victory.

There is very often joy in obedience. As we give, it changes us; changes out hearts. Have you met a happy person who is stingy or a very generous person who is not happy?

The bible also tells us that it is God who gives us the gift of enjoying wealth. I think this comes from having a generous heart.

Quick Prayer. “Holy Spirit, please cause me to have a generous heart, a fruit of your presence in me.” Amen