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Dear Brothers and Sisters, Shalom.
I am Angelie. Today, we are launching the program "Kingdom Business Culture". This program is based on the "Christ-centered Entrepreneurship" training course compiled by Pastor Tony TAY Meng Hiang of GLOBAL JIREH to guide us to live like Christ in the workplace.
In today's talk, we will learn about the concept of business in the Bible through the Wife of Noble Character mentioned in Proverbs 31:10-31. Let us first look at Proverbs 31:16～18.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
The God-fearing woman mentioned in the scriptures is like a manifestation of wisdom. Her life reflects the image of God. Besides being an assistance for her husband, this woman is also an operator.
Proverbs 31:16 states that “she considers a field and buys it” and the original word for “consider” is “zamam”. "Zamam" refers to thinking with a purpose of planning. Therefore, "she considers a field and buys it" means that she clearly knows that she needs a piece of land to plan. After confirming what she was going to do, she bought the land. After the purchase, she has the authority to manage this place, which is the scope of her influence. So she decided to plant a vineyard with the profits she gained (Proverbs 31:16b), and she used the resources she had previously acquired to expand her career. In the process of running a business, she sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks (Proverbs 31:17). "Sets about her work vigorously " means that she is ready to go and face the challenge; It also gives people confidence. She sets about her work vigorously, which shows that the woman with noble character knows the importance of ability. When we improve our capabilities through equipment, our talents give us confidence to run a business. With ability, she also strengthens her arms; meaning: with ability, she also works hard to give full play to her strengths. This shows that the noble woman has a good working attitude, and she takes care of the vineyards she manages seriously.
In the end, we see that her trading is profitable, and under her proper management, the business she ran is profitable (Proverbs 31:18a). She is satisfied with the profit she has received, which results in “her lamp does not go out at night” (Prov. 31:18b); it means that this experience motivates her to stay vigilant so that she can continue to make profits.
Now, we summarize the methods of management of this noble woman:
As a business operator, we must first know the plan we are participating in. Why do you say "know the plan you are participating in" instead of "know your plan"? Because as disciples of the Lord, we no longer tell God what we want to do, but seek and wait for God to let us know exactly what our callings are! When we know our callings and participate in God's plan, God will enable us to have the resources we need. Because people have many tactics, only the Lord's plan can do it (Proverbs 19:31).
Do we know what God's calling for us? Are the resources we want related to our calling?
The noble woman shows us that doing business requires courage and commitment. After confirming up the plan, we should bravely invest funds to obtain resources and implement the plan, and go all out to operate the business with passion and diligence. Not having the courage to invest money, or failing to commit to establishing a business after investing money, is not a manifestation of kingdom entrepreneurs. In other words, when we start a certain business, we will serve God and give the best to the Lord.
Proper management of the business leads to spiritual profits. After receiving the profits, we should not relax, but continue to operate the business vigilantly. This purpose is to enable the company to continue to grow and do greater things for the Lord. The growth of an enterprise shows that God has entrusted us with greater responsibilities. Only with continuous vigilance can our life continue to grow; only when our life grows continuously can we cope with the challenges and difficulties.
The disciples in the corporate world, same as the disciples in other fields, should give priority to the kingdom of God and His righteousness. God is love, and the extension of love is created. This is a loving act to show the expansion of the kingdom of God. When sin enters the world, there is redemption for the fulfillment of love. This priestly behavior shows that the kingdom of God is still able to continue to expand. In the Great Commission, Jesus clearly commanded us to make the kingdom of God grow in quantity and quality. "You are going to make all nations my disciples" (Matt. 28:18), "go" to increase the number, and "make" to increase the quality. The multiplication of numbers is not the end, but having abundance in life for many people is the ultimate goal, that is, many people become disciples of Jesus Christ. We follow the example of noble woman in operating businesses in order to enable many people to have an abundant life. This is our business principle -a Christ-centered corporate view.
Our purpose in doing this is for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14).
Are we willing to respond to the Great Commission that Jesus Christ commanded us to accomplish together? Can the business we operate influence others to know Jesus?
Do we sincerely hope that our colleagues can have an abundant life? These are what Christian business operators can do! Our business must have such influence.
Finally, we summarize the principle of business in the Bible:
The existence of a business is to participate in God's plan. The operation of a business lies in the contribution of the operator, and the function of the business is to earn spiritual profits; the business operator responds to the great mission by operating the kingdom business.
At the end of the program, let us invite Ps. Tony TAY, the founder of GLOBAL JIREH to pray for us.
"Christ-centered Entrepreneurship “is an online course that teaches Christians to show wisdom in the workplace by observing and following the path of the Lord (Deut 4:6). For more information, please contact Ps. Tony TAY Meng Hiang through GR WeChat backstage or jirehp@gmail.com.
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