Called to Business

“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” (1 Chronicles 29:12 )

If there is one truth in business that I have come to understand it is this: Do it God’s way, and let Him take care of the consequences. He is in control.

Sometimes in the cut and trust of a brutal commercial world we forget that truth. But He is, and always will be. His ways are not our ways. Sometimes we all need to stop, pray, and understand His way in a circumstance. Often it is the opposite of how we would implement or react. What will people say, will I miss out on that promotion, deal or sale? No; God is not only in control; it is also He who exalts, He who promotes, and He who allocates deals.

Plus you are given the strength to stand whilst waiting for the answer from heaven. Now that is a good deal!

Quick Prayer. “Funny though it sounds Lord, I am available to be exulted in your time.” Amen

“In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:14)

How is your business going? If you are working for another, how is your workplace going? Have you invited God and His blessing into your business? Success comes from Him.

I have seen Him turn around the worst of circumstances. He can move in a commercial environment that is almost beyond redemption, and restore profitability growth and success. Each win we have, each sale we get, every order that comes through the door, has contributed to our success, and it has all been ordained by God.

If we truly understood that truth, I wonder how thankful and prayerful we would be.

Quick Prayer. “All the success I have experienced has come from you.” Amen

“The LORD has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.” (Genesis 24:35)

Do not be ashamed of the financial blessing God has bestowed on you. It is He who blesses with wealth in all its forms. If you are struggling do not be ashamed in asking for His blessing. He is not a stingy God.

God is an abundant God, the God of “more than enough”. Take a moment to thank him for all that He has given you. Take a close look around and you will see all that He has bestowed on you.

Use your wealth wisely, submit it to God and be obedient to His promptings but enjoy that which He has given you to enjoy.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you that wealth is a blessing. Please bless me in my finances.” Amen

“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19)

Where do wealth and possessions come from? From our hard work? We would toil in vain without God. It is He who gives us the ability to create wealth and His hand that distributes blessing. Alongside material possessions sometimes come a priceless gift—one that eludes so many who do not know God and many who do.

There is the gift of an ability to enjoy wealth. The wealthiest people are not the happiest. The enjoyment of what we have comes as a gift from God.

The second part of that blessing is a release from striving and looking for the next thing. The trap of materialism is the unending cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. Enjoy, accept, and be happy; it’s a great gift.

Quick Prayer. “Allow me to enjoy what you have given me Jesus.” Amen

“To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” (Deuteronomy 10:14)

What do we really own? All that we have is God’s. We are merely stewards, who will, one day, give account for what we have done, with that which we were entrusted.

Our bank statements will show where our hearts are. But stewardship goes beyond the financial. We all have talents, gifts and abilities. How are we developing and maximizing the impact of that which has been given to us?

Do we work with excellence, and with a sober realization that God is in all, owns all, and will require a return? Do we allocate time effectively for all our ministry, at home, work, and church?

These are big questions but there is only one answer. It is all His; and that perspective changes everything.

Quick Prayer. “It’s all yours Lord.” Amen

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)

We are human aren’t we? We who profess to be spiritually minded actually struggle with all manner of things. The pull of this world and its cares is strong. Jesus us said, don’t worry about it, I’ve got it covered.

The phrase “don’t worry be happy”, may be flippant, but has more than a passing dose of truth in it. Do we trust our heavenly Father to provide? By worrying we are saying that we don’t.

We need to discipline our minds, and talk to our spirits, reassuring them that God is in control, and will provide for our every need. We should focus on what He is concerned with, the advancement of His Kingdom. Seek these things, and let Him worry about what we will wear, what we will eat, and dare I say, what we will drive, and where we will live?

Quick Prayer. “Forgive me for worry.” Amen

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12)

What is true contentment? What would it take for you to feel truly content? We tend to think of that in terms of material possessions, relationships and circumstances. Paul who was ship wrecked, beaten, stoned, jailed amongst other great experiences, is talking about something much deeper; A peace that goes beyond all understanding, beyond circumstance and experience. It is a contentment that can only be supernatural in origin.

Imagine being so close to God that all else pales into insignificance. All becomes a shadow, truly in context against the all-powerful light of a totally radiant God. The closer we get to Him the more content we will be. He is the only certainty, the only constant, the only place of true contentment.

Quick Prayer. “Bring me to a place of true contentment Lord.” Amen

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

We have leaned from God, received from Him and heard from Him. When we study His word or hear His still small voice, we have seen Him. What do we do with these words, impressions, feelings and instructions? We are exhorted to put them into practice.

Apply what we have seen of God into our lives, that we may be transformed to become more like Him. The more like Him we are, the more effective we will be in the Kingdom, the more fruit we will demonstrate, and the closer we are to being all we can be.

And the outcome according to this word is not the peace of God, but something better; the God of Peace will be with us.

Quick Prayer. “Help me always to be mindful of what you are teaching me Lord.” Amen

“Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Psalms 34:9)

Is God some big overbearing parent that needs to be appeased? Is He a harsh taskmaster that demands obedience and waits to punish any error? No, no and no. We serve a loving heavenly Father who sent His only son to die in our place. There is no greater love, than His for us.

Yet He remains the creator of the universe, whose footstool is the earth. He spoke all that is into being with a word. He has always been, omnipotent and omnipresent. Our small minds cannot begin to image His overwhelming size, power and strength.

So lets not let His love cloud our awe and sense of fear. That holy fear that is based in respect and acknowledgement of who He really is. 

Quick Prayer. “I am in awe of you Lord.” Amen

“to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:19)

He is faithful. He is faithful. He is faithful. I say it again He is faithful. He will not let you suffer, and He will deliver you from harm. We need to sometimes stand on the promises of God and declare the victory He has already one.

These promises are yes and Amen, regardless of the circumstances, the times we live in, the environment, the economy, or the political status. He is our deliverer and our salvation, our ever-present help in a time of need. Speak to those circumstances that seem to overwhelm you and command them to submit to the word of God.

His strength will sustain you and His promises are always true.

Quick Prayer. “Keep me faithful in your strength, always.” Amen