What matters more, your business or God’s business?

Psalm 103:20-22

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.

²¹ Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.

²² Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 34:1

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth

How do you see God?

We all seem very well acquainted with various attributes of God, which are very important because they determine the way we relate with Him! The amount of time we give Him reveals the amount of love we have for Him. That sounds like a very challenging and convicting statement, yet it is true.

A few years ago I read Robert Kiyosaki’s book, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” and got so hooked, I went read parts 2, 3 and 2 other books by him! Then my friend Rolain (please see his inspirational blog) pointed out something very significant: the principles laid out encourage you to fail before you can succeed. I then decided at that moment to find out what God says about finances.

I was motivated by Dr Ed Silvoso’s book, “Anointed for Business,” because the one thing that caught my attention was the way he viewed God! This is how he sees Him, which is how I see Him too:

God- Chairman of the board
Jesus- CEO
Holy Spirit- Legal Counsel

The other amazing thing that came to mind as I was reading the book is how interesting it is that we seek God with all our hearts on Sundays at church, at cell groups, youth and various other church activities but not or some of the time at work! One might as well ask, “What doesn’t God know about business?” Some people only involve God with work when they 1) need a job or 2) are facing serious problems at work.

We truly have to consider at heart the question: What do you see God as?

We are merely stewards
Psalm 24:1 says, “¹ The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. 

If we have given God our whole life, doesn’t that include our work life? I remember eavesdropping very often in my school and some of my friends would say, “Mind your own business.” Now that term is used to encourage businessmen and women to put all their efforts into being as productive as possible in the company they work in, and with investing. For me it is alright to mind your own business, as long as you do it God’s way.

At the end of the day, all that is important is setting our minds (and keeping them set) on God’s heart for His business whom He’s entrusted us with (Colossians 3:2). I recently wrote a post on diverse weights and measures where I learned about why God wanted the Israelites to conduct business with integrity.

God’s business structure
 As I read Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians and those in Ephesus, I discovered something about the way God wanted us to see His way of relating with (how we treat) each other at work.

To those under authority

To employees, self-employed and any position with whom you report to someone or are under authority:

Ephesians 6:5-8:

Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]—

⁶ Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;

⁷ Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men,

⁸ Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.

Colossians 3:22-24:

Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.

²³ Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

²⁴ Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).

To those in authority

To leaders in business which will be business owners, chairmen, CEO’s, COO,s (Chief Operating Officers), Managing Directors, Presidents, Vice Presidents, General Managers and various Heads of Department (and any other positions I may have missed):

Ephesians 6:9:

You masters, act on the same [principle] toward them and give up threatening and using violent and abusive words, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons (no partiality) with Him.

Now you may say, “That’s all good, but I’m often asked to do projects that require go against biblical principles,” or, “Our company has a reputation for promising more than they can deliver.” I will allow the Word to help us deal with such and similar issues in up coming posts. Until then, meditate (ponder and study) on these two passages and ask the Lord to bring to remembrance everything else you have learned on how He does business.

NB: No matter what line of work you are in, do it as unto the Lord.