13.神的意思原是…
「有不认识约瑟的新王起来，治理埃及(是埃及历史上喜好建筑的雷米西斯第二)【出1: 8】
每一代的人都需要对神忠心，才能在他们的时间领受神的祝福。遗憾的是，约瑟的后代忘了神的应许，随流失去他们的信心。但神并没有忘记祂对亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各及他们后裔的应许。在他们的后裔中，神将会兴起新的男人女人，传送神应许的祝福。
约瑟兄弟们悔改的话语，让他进入他生命中、也是创世记中一个最具有神学意义的时刻。”约瑟提到“多人”，是回响神圣约的应许，要祝福“地上的万族”。从我们的角度，我们可以看见神赐下的祝福，是超过约瑟所求所想的。
神透过约瑟所做的工作有真实、实际、重大的价值：保存性命。我们在工作中所做的事情本身，对神和其他人来说，都是十分重要的。有时因为我们的工作是更大整体的一部分，所以这是真确的，只是我们很容易忽略这工作的成果。约瑟用更宽广的视野来看待他的工作，并不因为有不可避免的高潮与低潮而气馁。
因此，认定饶恕是工作中很适切的行为，并不是偏狭的想法。
生活中总会有许多伤痛和痛苦。没有任何一间公司或组织对此免疫。约瑟承认他兄弟们的意思确实是要害他，在同一句话有一个更大的真理，是关于神美善的旨意。当我们觉得受伤，我们可以想想这一点，如此可以帮助我们忍受痛苦，也可以与基督认同。
约瑟视自己为神的中间人，扮演关键的角色执行神在祂子民身上的工作。他知道他家庭的信仰故事也有怀疑的成分、有带着自保动机的忠心服事、有诚实与欺骗。他也知道神给亚伯拉罕的应许、神祝福这家庭的承诺，以及神用生命的炉火熬练祂子民所展现的智慧。他没有美化他们的罪行，反而是在体认到神伟大工作的情况之下，接受这些事实。当我们体认到，神的应许在祂的全权之下一定会成就，那么无论我们付出多少代价，我们的工作就有价值。
我们工作的场所提供处境，让我们的价值观和品格，在我们做出影响自己和周围人士的决定时，可以被人看见。神藉由祂睿智的大能，可以在我们忠心的时候与我们同工、修剪我们的软弱、熬练我们的失败，来成就祂为我们这些爱祂之人所预备的。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求！阿们！
学习体会 : 创世记有很多关于工作的教导，但这一个很能经得起时间的考验，甚至解释了何为救赎：荣耀的主被钉十字架。 蒙主恩典！阿们！
12.从玛拿西到以…
约瑟给长子起名叫玛拿西，因为他说：『神使我忘了一切的困苦，和我父的全家。他给次子起名叫以法莲，因为他说：『神使我在受苦的地方昌盛。』【创41: 51-52】
约瑟立即投入法老指派给他的工作。他体认到他的智慧和洞察力都是神的赏赐，他的工作几乎触碰到所有人民生活的现实层面。他的职责让他必须学习法律、沟通、协商、运输、安全又有效率的粮食保存方式、建筑、经济、参谋、记录、发放粮饷、处理银两、人资及不动产的交易。他面对神与面对人民所展现出来的过人之处，并不是分开来的。约瑟成功的秘密在于他有效地整合神赏赐的天赋和后天习得的技能。对约瑟来说，这一切的工作都是属神的。
约瑟做的第一件事情是“出去遍行埃及全地”，一个视察之旅。他需要熟悉务农的人民、农地的地点和状况、农作物、道路、运输工具。很难想象约瑟可以靠自己一个人完成所有的事情。他需要成立并监督类似农业部和税捐处的单位。在七年的丰收时期，他把粮食储存在本城中。之后的七年，他分发粮食给埃及人以及其他受到大饥荒影响的人。要创建并管理所有这些。
当人民的银两用尽，约瑟让他们用牲畜交换食物。这计划维持了一年，约瑟在这期间接收了马、绵羊、山羊、牛和驴。他需要给这些牲畜估价，建立公平的交换制度。当粮食欠缺的时候，人民特别关心自己和所爱之人的生存。提供管道，让他们可以取得粮食，并公平对待他们，成了非常重要的行政工作。
当所有的牲畜都换完了，人民愿意把自己卖给法老当他的奴隶，也把自己的土地卖给他。约瑟容许人们卖掉他们的土地，并成为奴隶。他定规，人民收成的百分之二十要归给法老。这意味着要设立制度来监督并确认人民会守法，也要设立专门管理税收的部门。返都是给他们量身订做的。
信徒在工作时，可能会经历到张力，一方面我们同理弱势群体，但另一方面我们也有责任对我们的团体和公司交代。约瑟在这些困难的工作中经历了神的引导。同样的，我们也领受了神的应许：“我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你”。
当约瑟应用出神给他的技术和智能，他成功带领埃及度过农业的大灾难。当七个丰年来到的时候，约瑟规划出囤粮的机制，把这些榖物保存起来，预备应付将来的旱灾。当七个荒年临到，“约瑟开了各处的仓”，提供足够的食物让国家可以度过饥荒。奉主耶稣基督的圣名祈求！阿们！
学习体会 : 在一个会压迫人民的社会中作官员，他成了权力结构的一部分，而且他亲自逼迫数不清的人民变成奴隶? 这世界原是交付给魔鬼的，全世界都卧在那恶者手下。 蒙主恩典！阿们！
9.the cor…
Leadership is one of the fundamental preoccupations of modern business and for good reason. It matters. Few subjects have been more written about in recent years than leadership. Good leadership is at the heart of every successful organisation. As kingdom entrepreneurs, we must look to the greatest of leaders as our role model. We must learn to lead like Jesus.
Activity.
Write down some of the words that come to mind when you think of business leadership.
Teaching.
If we are to lead a fruitful business ministry, we must cultivate a Christ-like approach to leadership. We suggest that the core characteristics of Jesus’ leadership are authority and service. Were these on your list? The people around Jesus recognised that He ‘taught as one who had authority and they ‘praised God, who had given such authority to man.’ The people recognised that Jesus acted with authority long before they understood his positional authority as the Son of God.
Do you have authority? If so, what is it based on?
Reflection.
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘my servant lies at home paralysed, suffering terribly.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Shall I come and heal him?’ The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’
Matthew8:5-10
Teaching.
If Jesus’ authority was so important, we need to understand better. It helps to think about where authority comes from. Authority always flows from a higher authority. Even Jesus looked up. He had authority yet was Himself under the authority of His Father. The Centurion was commended by Jesus for recognising this. The passage illustrates how authority flows within a hierarchy. Authority always starts at the top where the buck stops. From there, it flows down the hierarchy. Being under authority means you operate with the authority of the one whose authority you are under. As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we are leaders who are under the authority of Christ. We act with His authority.
What are the benefits of knowing that we are ourselves under the authority of Christ?
Teaching.
Too often in business, authority is based on positional leadership alone. It becomes ‘the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience over subordinates.’ Not so for the Kingdom Entrepreneur. This is because Christ-like leadership is characterised by both authority and the equally essential and complementary characteristic of service.
Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Matthew20:25-28
Jesus turns the world’s pattern of leadership on its head. He modelled servant leadership and made this a clear priority for His disciples. If we are to become Christ-like leaders we too must model an attitude of service towards those who are under our authority. Great leaders are not better than others. They are just the ones willing to lay down their lives for others. This turns the normal understanding of authority upside down.
What might it look like when a business leader gives their life for their subordinates?
Hierarchy 、 Obedience 、 Trust 、 Faith。
God.
Delegation 、 Empowerment 、Authority。
The diagram above illustrates the flows in a hierarchy. Discuss where the word ‘service’ should go on the diagram.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.
Ephesians6:5-9
Discussion.
Reflect on the passage. Note that masters are called to treat their employees in the same way as the Lord does. List what is expected from masters.
The Bible makes it clear that both employees and their employers have a Master in heaven who will treat everyone without favouritism. What would change in business if earthly masters behaved in this way and showed ‘no favouritism’?
When we recognise that we are under the authority of Christ we will be able to model Christ-like servant leadership.
The goal of every ministry is to bear fruit. Not just any old fruit, but spiritual fruit that will last. This can only be achieved in God’s way, through spiritual means. We must seek to ensure the activities of our business bear spiritual fruit.
‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’
‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.’
John15:5,John15:16
Jesus makes it clear that he has appointed us to bear much fruit. It is empowering to know that this is God’s desire for us. As the leader of a business ministry, we can confidently expect to bear spiritual fruit, in and through the activities of our business. It is
essential, however, that we remember how this is achieved. We must learn to operate ‘in Christ’.
Discussion.
Jesus tells us that we can ‘do nothing’ apart from Him. Why can’t a Kingdom Entrepreneur bear fruit apart from Jesus?
What does this tell us about the kind of fruit we are to bear?
Teaching.
Jesus goes on to set out why we are to bear fruit.
We are called to bear fruit for the Father’s glory. We do this by showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. Business as a ministry is all about the spiritual fruit that occurs when Kingdom Entrepreneurs confidently and publicly live as visible disciples of Jesus.
The BizMin Course seeks to set out what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the business context. When we learn how to do this we will have become the leaders of a fruitful Christian ministry. We can rejoice in knowing that it will bring glory to God.
We must never forget that Jesus is the source of our fruitfulness and that it is for the Father’s glory, not our own.
Reflect on the following account of a kings downfall.
‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’
John 15:8, Daniel4:28-33a
All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’ Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, ‘This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass
by for you until you acknowledge that the Highest is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.’ Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.
Who did the king think was behind his achievements and who’s benefit and glory were they for?
Discussion.
How might a Kingdom Entrepreneur ensure that they and their company avoid the king’s mistake and remain ‘in Christ’?
If we are to bear spiritual fruit we must remain in Christ.
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Ephesians1:9-10
This passage sets out that God’s purpose is ‘to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.’ This is the primary objective of any Christian ministry and must involve bringing all aspects of our business under Christ. The book of Ephesians sets out how this goal is achieved in chapters 4, 5 and 6.
The diagram opposite illustrates the process. At the centre is the church and those called to ‘equip the saints for works of service.’ With the support of our church, we are required to progressively bring all areas of our lives under Christ. First and foremost, our own lives are to be brought under Christ through personal discipleship. Secondly, we are to bring our family and homes under Christ. Next, we are to be disciplined as workers, serving the Lord wholeheartedly. The master, the employer or Kingdom Entrepreneur is the final step in the process. It is here,
in the hands of leaders, that all things on earth might be brought under Christ.
When your business is brought under Christ you will have done your bit to bring unity to all things on earth. This is BizMin’s
Teaching.
goal. We want to equip Kingdom Entrepreneurs to play their part in bringing all things under Christ. That includes your business. We believe this is one of the key reasons why God is calling and equipping a new generation of Kingdom Entrepreneurs. It is a key part of what He purposed in Christ.
At the centre of this process is the local church. Has your church equipped you for ‘works of service’ in the world of work? Discuss what your church could do to better support believers in the workplace.
Discussion.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians6:10-13
It is at this point that the book of Ephesians turns to the spiritual battle. A Kingdom Business is a front-line in the battle for the Kingdom of God. It is essential that we recognise this.
Bringing every aspect of our business under Christ will be a spiritual battle. This battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of darkness. It will not be won through anything other than the authority of Christ. It is by remaining
Teaching.
in Him and standing in His authority that this battle will be won. First in our own lives, then in our homes and finally in our workplace. As this occurs in our business, we will see it transformed into a fruitful ministry.
Without evidence of a spiritual battle, we may need to consider whether we are really striving to achieve spiritual fruit. Is your experience of business a spiritual battle?
Think of an example of where you have taken a stand over a situation in your business. Write down the testimony of how you were successful.
Reflection.
What was the role of prayer in this process?
How often do you pray for your business?
Never All the time Business is at the front-line of the spiritual battle for the Kingdom of God. Our goal is to equip Kingdom Entrepreneurs to take a stand and, when everything is done, to still be
Discussion.
standing. The good news is that we do not need to fight in our own strength. Remember, we are in Christ and can do nothing apart from Him. Any spiritual fruit we bear is a product of grace and most often the result of prayer.
The Kingdom of God will advance as our business is brought under Christ. This is a spiritual battle, won by grace.
In section 9.2 we identified that all of this is ‘for the Father’s glory. In a Kingdom Business, it is God who should receive both the praise and the glory. When you succeed, who receives the praise? Is it you, your colleagues or God?
If it is you, that is not surprising. You are the boss, and the boss is often the For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians2:8-9.
the figurehead for the team’s success. If it is your colleagues, that is impressive. It is not easy to let others have the limelight. Hopefully, you are one of the first to sing your team’s praises when they do well. It is much harder, however, for our success to result in God getting the glory.
Discussion.
How are we to ensure that God gets the glory through our business success? Reflect on the power of testimony.
If we don’t regularly praise and thank God for what He is doing in and through our business, who else will! Has your business success been for ‘the praise of His glory?
If we are to transform our business into a fruitful ministry, it must be for the praise of His Glory.
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to equip you to take a stand and bring every aspect of your business under the authority of Christ.
10. Redee…
When you commit to doing business as a ministry and are equipped to do business God’s way, we hope that your mind will turn to how your personal transformation might affect the culture of your company.
At the very least, you will want to ensure that your company is a place where a Biblical approach to business is able to flourish and prosper. Importantly, this is about more than you. It is about more than being a better Christian at work. In addition to transforming the way you do business, it is about redeeming the culture of your company, which is the way you and your company do business.
Your business is a separate legal entity with an identity, values, and a culture of its own. This culture will determine how the company functions, how it is perceived, and ultimately what kind of fruit it achieves in the world. Doing business as a ministry is about cultural transformation. It is this that ensures your company will bear spiritual fruit that will last, even when your leadership ends.
Both you and your business are called to play a part in the ministry of business. Your business needs you to mold and lead it, changing its culture from the inside. If you are successful in this task, your business will become a context that helps nurture and sustain your own walk and witness.
As importantly, it will also help to transform the lives of those around you, including your colleagues, customers, and even your competitors. Finally, it will help to sustain your business as a Kingdom Business long after you have gone.
we are seeking Kingdom Entrepreneurs who will make their business their ministry. A key responsibility of the Kingdom Entrepreneur is to embed a Biblical way of doing business in their company. This is the pursuit of what we call a Kingdom Culture Company.
The diagram below illustrates how your personal transformation can ultimately establish and sustain a Kingdom culture in your company, such that it bears spiritual fruit and becomes resilient enough to outlast the company’s Christian founders. This is BizMin’s goal.
Reflection.
Look at the diagram and mark where you and your company are on this journey, from Kingdom Entrepreneur to Kingdom Culture Company. In order to sustain this transformation in your own life and embed this in your company, it is helpful to regularly audit how you are doing. This is why we have created the BizMin Audit.
You adopt it, your company.
Reinforce, celebrate & embed it in your culture
Look back to the activity on Session 1.1 page 10 which explored the difference between the culture of business and the character of God and His Kingdom.
A Kingdom culture is often contrary to the prevailing business culture. We must actively swim against the tide if we are to see business transformed into a fruitful ministry and become part of a great move of God.
Reflection.
Are you increasingly confident to swim against the tide of prevailing business culture and model a Kingdom Culture in your company?
Is there evidence that this is influencing the behavior of others?
Pledge 1 – I recognize that business needs transformation through a great
move of God and I will seek to play my part.
Joseph was spiritually gifted for business. Once he had learned the essential ingredient of success and walked through the gateway of humility, his spiritual gifts were able to bear much fruit and achieve the primary purpose for which they were intended. Joseph demonstrated how God can achieve His purposes through gifted business leaders.
Teaching.
Gifted for a Purpose (Session 2)
1. Activity.
The record below your abilities/ gifts and God’s purpose for your company as recorded in Session 2.1 page 23 and Session 2.4 page 35.
Your abilities/ gifts、 God’s purpose。
Pledge 2 – I humbly acknowledge that it is God who has gifted me for His purposes.
1. God has a call on your life and has prepared you for ‘good work’. In Session 3, you established whether or not that was a call to a business. We believe God is calling a new generation of Christian Entrepreneurs to do business as ministry. We hope you feel equipped to press on and take up that calling.
Reflection.
Are you called to do business as a ministry?
Are you prepared to do business as a ministry?
Called to Business (Session 3)
Are you committed to doing business as a ministry?
Pledge 3 – I will take up the call to do business as a ministry.
At the core of BizMin is the idea that business should be transformed into a fruitful ministry. Our core belief is; if it is your business, it is also your ministry. A complete Christian ministry will ‘carry forth Christ’s mission in the world through a spirituality that balances Deed, Word, and Spirit.
A Complete Ministry (Session 4)
Do you have examples of how you and your company are doing ministry in each area?
Deed 、
Word 、
Spirit。
How might you and your company take practical steps to become a more complete ministry?
Pledge 4 – I will make my business a complete ministry with equal emphasis on Deed, Word, and Spirit.
As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we must balance work with care so that our good works are sustainable. To do this successfully, we need to pursue a godly vision of prosperity.
Reflection.
The Creation Mandate (Session 5)
Reflection.
Are you living within the moral limits of Biblical prosperity?
Is your business trading off and promoting a way of life that is sustainable within the moral limits of Biblical prosperity?
Pledge 5 – I will sustain fruitfulness by pursuing a Biblical vision of prosperity that balances work with care.
A Kingdom Business will demonstrate love for God, our business neighbors, and ourselves.
Activity.
On the diagram below, mark how you and your company are currently expressing love. Join up the dots to reveal the current ‘shape’ of your company. Who is receiving the most love? Who might you need to love more?
The Great Commandment (Session 6)
Pledge 6 – I will love God, my neighbors and myself, in and through my business.
A Kingdom Business will do good work that wins the respect of those with whom it works. It will model Christ and help both us and others to know Christ and become more Christ-like.
The Great Commission (Session 7)
Are you modeling Christ at work?
Pledge 7 – I will not be ashamed of the gospel and will respectfully model Christ at work.
If we are to prosper in business, we must master money. We must proactively pursue purpose before profit, adding value across multiple bottom lines. A generous spirit should underpin all that we do.
Activity.
On the diagram below, mark the impact you and your company is currently making in each area of value.
Profiting through Purpose (Session 8)
and upheld Pledge 8 – I will profit through purpose and will be extravagantly
generous with all that I receive.
As Christ-like leaders, we must recognize our place in God’s hierarchy. We must remain both under Christ and in Christ. Out of this, we can serve others and prayerfully lead our companies in a spiritual battle that advances the front-line of the Kingdom.
A Fruitful Ministry (Session 9)
of God and, when we have done everything, stand. Then our ministry will bear spiritual fruit for the praise of His glory.
Are there any areas of your business that you are struggling to bring under the authority of Christ? Take a moment to pray into these issues, and stand.
Reflection.
Pledge 9 – I will remain both in and under Christ, bearing spiritual fruit
for the praise of His glory.
Throughout this course, we have built a vision for how a business can become a fruitful ministry. We need to humbly recognize that the goal is not perfection but direction.
In ‘Life Together Dietrich Bonhoeffer wisely identifies the dangers for those who set their love and pursuit of a vision of something above their love of the reality of that thing. He writes; ’He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.’
We might rephrase this as; those who love their dream of what a Kingdom Business could be more than they love their colleagues, customers, and competitors will become a destroyer of their dream. We must guard against the pursuit of an idealistic vision for our business. This is a humble venture rooted in grace.
We do not believe it is necessary or even beneficial to make our ways ‘law’. Culture is ‘the way we do things around here’ rather than ‘the things you must do around here. A healthy culture has willing participants. All we can do in light of this is what has become our mantra
That is; press on to take hold.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider me yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians3.12-14
Pledge 10 – I will ‘press on to take hold of my ministry, upholding and revisiting each of the BizMin pledges.
Take a moment to pray for one another. It is important to be commissioned into your new role as a Kingdom Entrepreneur.
Share your reflections on the course.
Write down your plans for the next month, the next year, the next 5 years, and beyond.
Discussion.
Consider how you might stay connected with other Kingdom Entrepreneurs who can encourage you to press on and take hold…
Close the session with a short time of prayer.
7.Open th…
A complete ministry must help deliver the Great Commission.
Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
Matthew28:18-20
This is the Great Commission, the mission statement of the Church. For an activity to be considered a comprehensive Christian ministry it must effectively contribute to achieving this great missionary endeavour. That is, it must help take the gospel to all nations. We will now consider how business might do this.
Open the session with a short time of prayer.
Discussion.
Do you agree that the world of business needs this missionary endeavour?
‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
Acts1:8
Activity.
To achieve the Great Commission we, first and foremost, need the power of the Holy Spirit. We must then establish our mission field and ask ourselves; where is our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria? The influence of your company may even extend to the ends of the earth. In the context of business it can be seen as follows:
A、B、C.
Write the answers for A, B and C for your business and establish your specific areas of influence. This is your mission field.
Christians quietly getting on with their day job, doing it the way that God intended, will slowly but surely find that they influence the behaviour of their colleagues, customers, suppliers and competitors. In time, this can transform the culture of the business.
Business is at the heart of society and the way we do business, a company’s culture, significantly influences the values of those it connects with. As the culture of a Kingdom Business is aligned with the values and principles of God’s Kingdom, so in turn, are the values of those who connect with it. This simple but profound ability for our business culture to inform and affect the values and behaviour of those around us is what discipleship is all about.
Whether it be a geographical or cultural mission, we are all called to help take the gospel into every area of life.
Business is a powerful vehicle for taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Kingdom Entrepreneurs have the amazing privilege of going beyond the transformation of their own business practice. They have the potential to influence and define the culture of their company and, as a result, the behaviour of others with whom their company comes into contact. Having discovered God’s truth for ourselves, we have the opportunity to create a place where colleagues, customers, suppliers and competitors discover a Kingdom Culture and experience firsthand the power of the Gospel at work in the world. As we choose to confidently do business God’s way, others will taste and see that God is indeed good.
StephenRundle
What distinguishes the Kingdom Entrepreneur is that he or she not only models Christian discipleship but goes out of their way to create opportunities to tell others about the motivation behind his or her behaviour.
Discipleship is the process of becoming more Christ-like. This diagram illustrates the cycle by which disciples are made.
Identify something that you know to be God’s way of doing business (it can be something as simple as not swearing in the
office) and consider how others might come to be discipled into that way, using the process set out in the diagram above.
We must remember that it is God’s responsibility to bring the transformation that we desire to see in others. Discuss whether you think it is necessary to say “don’t blaspheme in my office”.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Discussion.
Phil.1:6
Teaching.
People are increasingly looking for businesses that will live with integrity, having the confidence to apply their values to their work. The leaders of a company are expected to set the tone. It is their values that others choose to follow.
Christians in business should be equally confident to hold forth the values they believe in. They are, after all, good. We could go even further and say that they are in fact values that are inherently good for business. Holding out our values for all to see is ultimately what witness is.
To witness is to unashamedly live and declare a way of life that is true to the values we hold. In our case, these are the values taught and upheld by Jesus and found in the Bible. That is why it is so essential that we can answer the question; ‘What would Jesus do and how would Jesus do it, if he were running my business?’
What are your company values?
Are these values a reflection of God’s values and character?
Do you think there would be enough evidence, or witnesses for that matter, to convict your company of being run in accordance with Christian values?
Discussion.
World’s values God’s values In which box does your business currently sit?
When Christian business leaders live out God’s values with confidence and integrity, others will encounter the gospel.
you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thess.4:11b-12.
You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
你们是世上的光… 你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。
Matthew5:14-16.
Teaching.
If every believer can discover how to do their daily business in such a way that even their quietly undertaken good deeds are both seen and respected by those around them, society will surely take note. The trick is to make sure we don’t
confuse ‘quietly’ with ‘secretly’. We are called to take both the good news and our good deeds out from under the ‘bowl’, allowing their light to be seen. Leaders of an organisation will be observed more closely than most and their example more readily followed by those they lead. As leaders, we set the tone for the organisation, both by what we do and what we say. Christians in business would do well to consider how their daily work might win the respect of outsiders.
Is your approach to business winning the ‘respect of outsiders’? Mark on the scale below how you are doing.
Reflection.
Never 、 Always
To have an effective witness we must be clear and confident about our beliefs.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Activity.
1 Peter书3:15
In pairs, reflect on the diagram below and list the reasons for the ‘hope that you have’ for the future of your business.
My personal business gifts God’s ordained purpose and plans God’s word to for business me personally
Gifts from God。
A word from God.
This God-given hope results in confidence, optimism and peace about both your present circumstances and the future. Such hope will be noticed and respected by others. They may even want to know its source.
To have an effective witness we must also make the gospel known. Being clear and open about the Christian faith is fundamental to any Christian ministry. This may sound obvious, but it is easy for us to be good people without explicitly being God people. Beware! God is a jealous God and Jesus is clear when he says in Luke 9:26 ‘whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory.’ For us to have any form of effective witness we must ‘come out as Christians. Where there is an opportunity for an extended witness, we should make it known that we are Christian to our colleagues and repeat customers.
This allows what we believe, and whom we believe in, to be revealed naturally in the course of our business life. The trick is to both seek and seize the moments. This is, for most of us, the hardest part of the Great Commission. We must overcome any concern that an openly Christian basis for the way we do business might be bad for business.
Teaching.
Are you known as a Christian in your workplace? Does this reputation extend to your work colleagues, customers and even your sector and your industry?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans1:16
Do you think it is appropriate for the gospel to be explicitly made known in the workplace?
Discussion
Look at the example of Daniel to see how this might be done gently and respectfully.
Teaching.
Daniel2:14-28a
When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, ‘Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?’
Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:
‘Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his…you have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.’
Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, ‘Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.’ Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, ‘I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.’
The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), ‘Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?’ Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what
will happen in days to come.’
Daniel2:46-49
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honour and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, ‘Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.’
Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chief ministers over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
Daniel took God’s Word to the king. Going through the scripture, write down the steps that Daniel took that led to
him revealing God to the king with ‘wisdom and tact’.
Discussion.
Why do you think Daniel never told Arioch that God was the source of the interpretation?
What was the outcome of Daniel ‘coming out’ and declaring God’s role in the interpretation?
Reflection.
Eric Liddell
We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.
On the line below, mark where you are and then where your company is on the spectrum.
Repel from Christ Nearer to Christ
What might help you and your company establish a more effective witness and move to the right?
Discussion.
Think of an example of how you and your company can draw people nearer to Christ.
To play their part in the Great Commission, Kingdom
Entrepreneurs must make Christ known, bringing colleagues, customers and competitors nearer to Christ.
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask for the courage and wisdom to play your part in the Great Commission.
8.how to …
Before we consider profit, we need a godly attitude to money. The ability to handle money without compromise is essential for anyone engaging in Kingdom Business. During the industrial revolution in Britain, when wealth was increasing across the country, the great preacher John Wesley recognised the need for Christians to engage with the subject of money. He wrote:
John Wesley
The right use of money – a subject is largely spoken of, after their manner, by men of the world; but not sufficiently considered by those whom God hath chosen out of the world. These, generally, do not consider, as the importance of the subject requires, the use of this excellent talent. Neither do they understand how to employ it to the greatest advantage; the introduction of which into the world is one admirable instance of the wise and gracious providence of God. It has, indeed,
1.been the manner of poets, orators, and philosophers, in almost all ages and nations, to rail at this, as the grand corrupter of the world, the bane of virtue, the pest of human society.
Discussion
Discuss where on the scale below you feel your attitude to money sits. Money is a.
Grand corrupter 、 Gracious providence 、Discussion
The Bible provides clear warnings about the dangers of money. Take a moment to review these well-known verses on the subject of money.
‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’
Matthew6:24. Matthew19:23
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.’
Mark 4:19
‘but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.’
1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people 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.
Before we consider profiting through purpose, we need to understand why money is a hazard. What do these verses indicate are the potential dangers of money?
With a healthy attitude towards money, we can pursue a profit.
Paul Bulkeley
The use of money to love overcomes all kinds of evil.
As Christians in business, we need a mature attitude to money. We need to begin by recognising the dangers of money.
If a business is to function for long it must actively pursue a profit. This can create tension for Christians. In 1 Timothy 6:5, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about those ‘who think that
godliness is a means to financial gain.’ Beware. our motives matter. Money can all too easily become the goal for those who are called to business. The King James translation places a
subtle but important difference and notes the error in ‘supposing that gain is godliness.’ Wealth does not necessarily equate to godliness; neither is godliness necessarily a means to
financial gain. The active pursuit of profit is, however, central The pursuit of profit
Teaching.2
to business. How then should a Kingdom Business actively pursue profit; a primary objective for any sustainable business?
‘Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
‘After a long time, the master of those servants returned andsettled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you
entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful
Matthew25:14-30
servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”’
‘The man with two bags of gold also came. “Master,” he said,“ you entrusted me with two bags of gold: see, I have gained two more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathered where you have not
scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”
His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”’
What were the first two servants commended for? What was their reward?
Discussion.
What mistake did the third servant make?
Do you agree that the passage affirms the pursuit of profit? If so, broadly what rate of return does the passage affirm?
Activity.
There are five ways to make a profit. Think of modern examples for each.
How is your business seeking to pursue a profit?
Why is your business pursuing a profit?
The focus of a Kingdom Business should be on the pursuit of profit through purpose. This approach has served some great companies well.
The American drugs company, Merck, is a good example of this. They explicitly state that they are primarily in the business of preserving and improving human life, and it is against this purpose that they measure their success. The company’s website states its mission is ‘to discover, develop and provide innovative products and services that save and improve lives The pursuit of purpose.
Teaching.
The pursuit of purpose.
around the world’. This is a clear purpose that guides and motivates the ethical basis to their strategic decision-making.
In the early years following World War II, tuberculosis was eating away at Japanese society. Merck brought Streptomycin to Japan to eliminate the disease. They kept it affordable and didn’t make any profit. In effect, they chose to reduce their financial success in order to ensure more people could receive the drug and, by doing so, delivered on their purpose as defined by their company manifesto.
Today, Merck is the largest American pharmaceutical company in Japan and is making a lot of money. The Merck Company Foundation has also distributed more than $480 million to educational and non-profit organisations since it was founded in 1957. However, making money was not Merck’s primary objective. It was a by-product of pursuing a higher and altogether more worthwhile purpose.
George Merck
We try to remember that medicine is for the patient. It is not for the profits. The profits follow, and if we have remembered that, they have never failed to appear. The better we have remembered it the larger they have been.
From 1946-2000 Merck grew to $6 billion annual profits and beat the stock market by 1,000%. The more successful and profitable they have been, the more they have been able to serve their purpose. They have achieved, rather than pursued, a profit. It is a subtle but important distinction.
Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:13-17
This verse identifies a subtle but essential difference between the pursuit of money and the doing of good. A Kingdom Entrepreneur must be focussed on identifying and pursuing ‘the good they ought to do’. This is the ‘Lord’s will’ for their business.
Reflection.
Are you more motivated by the pursuit of purpose or profit?
Mark on the scale below where your business is currently focussing its attention.
Profit 、 Purpose.
Discussion.
Why is the pursuit of purpose more powerful than the pursuit of profit?
You and your business have a God-given purpose.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 .Phil.3:12
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
You were created primarily for the pursuit of a purpose rather than a profit. Do you agree?
A Kingdom Business’ ultimate focus should be on the pursuit of our God-given purpose. The profits follow.
As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we must recognise that a good and godly business does not need to see the pursuit of money as its primary objective. It was a focus on service, over and above the making of money that seems to have motivated the great car manufacturer, Henry Ford. In 1916 he was taken to court by two of the company’s stockholders for reducing dividend Multiple bottom lines
payments in order that company profits could be reinvested into the expansion of the company’s facilities. Ford also reduced the price of their groundbreaking car, the Model T, adding insult to injury as far as the stockholders were concerned. He is quoted in an interview with the Detroit News; ‘I don’t believe we should make such an awful profit on our cars.
A reasonable profit is right, but not too much. I hold that it is better to sell a large number of cars at a reasonably small profit. I hold this because it enables a large number of people to buy and enjoy the use of a car and because it gives a large number of men employment at good wages.
Those are the two aims I have in life.’ Ford lost the court case but won the market and the Ford Motor Company prospered. It is well worth quoting an extract from the court exchange that captures his approach.
“Now,” said Elliott G. Stevenson, the Dodges’ truculent attorney, “I will ask you again, do you still think that those profits were ‘awful profits’ ?”
“Well, I guess I do, yes,” replied Ford.
“And for that reason, you were not satisfied to continue to make such awful profits?” the lawyer inquired.
“We don’t seem to be able to keep the profits down,” apologised Ford.
“Are you trying to keep them down? What is the Ford Motor Company organized for except profits, will you tell me, Mr Ford?”
“Organised to do as much good as we can, everywhere, for everybody concerned,” said Ford.
The dumbfounded attorney quit for the day. However, in his need to prove that a business’ primary responsibility is to its stockholders, he returned to the attack.
“What,” he asked Ford, “is the purpose of the [Ford] company?”
“To do as much as possible for everybody concerned,” responded Ford, “to make money and use it, to give employment, and send out the car where the people can use it and incidentally to make money business is a service, not a bonanza.”
“Incidentally make money?” queried the attorney.
“Yes, sir.”
“But your controlling feature…is to employ a great army of men at high wages, to reduce the selling price of your car, so that a lot of people can buy it at a cheap price, and give everybody a car that wants one.”
“If you give all that,” replied Ford, who must have felt that Stevenson had admirably stated his policies, “the money will fall into your hands; you can’t get out of it.”
Henry Ford understood the utility of his business. When a business is a ministry, it delivers more than financial value. Its purpose is to deliver utility to society for the common good. It is therefore important to understand how your business is useful to society. This is its utility.
What is the utility of your business?
A. A Kingdom Business should add value across multiple bottom lines. Listed below are a range of areas in which business can add value. Consider how your business is adding value in each of these areas. Mark on the scales the level to which your business is delivering value in each area.
Reflection.
Activity.
Impact.
This is a true overview of the value of your business. Overall, how profitable is your business?
Ethical values are promoted and upheld.
You make a financial profit.
A Kingdom Business should profit across multiple bottom lines.
Is your business financially profitable?
Give examples of how your business uses its profit in the following areas:
Examples:
Take a moment to reflect on the largest donation you have ever made.
T Warren Buffet reportedly pledged the largest single donation in history when he gave $37 Billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. After receiving the inaugural Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy he is quoted as saying:
Reflection.
Teaching.
Warren Buffet:
“The truth is I have never given a penny away that had any utility to me,” Buffett told the 150-plus billionaires and near billionaires, who gathered at the United Nations Delegates Dining Room. “I am very grateful for this award, I accept this award. But I’d like to accept it not only for myself but for those millions of people who really give away money that’s important to them because they see somebody else where they think they can do more good.”
Reflection.
How much did your ‘largest donation’ really cost you?
A Kingdom Business needs a mature attitude to the use of money. God challenges us to honour Him with our profit and steward our money wisely. He wants joyful givers who honour Him with their profits.
‘Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How are we robbing you?” In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – your whole nation – because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Malachi3:8-12
What is God asking us to test Him in?
Discussion.
What does God promise the three outcomes will be if we test Him in this? Reflect on how they directly address common business concerns.
What does the passage say is the long term outcome of this behaviour?
When a Kingdom Business tithes, it has the opportunity to channel significant amounts of money to good causes through what we call ‘Power Giving’. This is illustrated below.
Power Giving
Has your business made a commitment to ‘Power Giving’? Discuss how this approach might have a positive impact on both society and the ministries of the Church.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the passage in Malachi promises that those who honour God through these actions will be recognised as blessed and distinct, creating the foundation for a Christian witness both at home and abroad. Malachi 3:18 says; ‘And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’ Ultimately, this approach to the use of profit brings a blessing to all nations, ‘until there is no more need’.
Teaching.
‘You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’
Acts20:34-35. Mark8:36
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
To be effective in doing business as a ministry, the use of money must be right. It requires correct priorities. Above all, we must guard our souls. When we pursue good works and a God-given higher purpose before profit, we will achieve meaningful and lasting impact. The profits will likely follow. This approach and priority are essential if we are to do business as a ministry.
When we have mastered our attitude to the money we will be ready to pursue profit through purpose.
Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to help you master money and help your company’s purpose so that it profits through good works.
8.妥协地处理金钱…
在我们考虑盈利之前，我们需要对金钱有个符合神心意的态度。对任何做国度企业的人而言，不妥协地处理金钱的能力至关重要。在英国工业革命期间，当时全国各地的财富都在增加，伟大的传道人约翰·卫斯理（John Wesley）意识到基督徒需要和金钱打交道了。他写到：
约翰·韦 斯利
祷 告 – 短暂祷告后开始会议。
教 导
金钱的正确使用是世人在谈论他们的举止之后，最广泛谈论的课题，但是上帝从世界拣选出来的人却没有充分地考虑它。和这个重要课题所需要的相反，他们通常不认为这需要从上帝来
的非凡天赋，也不知道如何使用金钱来得到最大的益处。将金钱引入世界是上帝的智慧和恩慈护理的最好例子之一。的确，在几乎所有年代和国家，金钱都是诗人，演说家和哲学家谈论最多的，它被指责为世界的超级腐化剂，美德的祸根，和人类社会的敌害。
讨 论
讨论在下面的标尺中，你对金钱的态度在那个位置。金钱是….
超级腐化剂 、 恩赐的护理
活 动
圣经对金钱的危险性提出了明确警告。花点时间回顾一下关于金钱的这些著名经文。
“一个人不能事奉两个主；不是恶这个、爱那个，就是重这个、轻那个。你们不能又事奉神，又事奉玛门。”
马太福音6:24. 马太福音19:23
耶稣对门徒说：“我实在告诉你们，财主进天国是难的。”
马可福音 4:19
“后来有世上的思虑、钱财的迷惑，和别样的私欲进来，把道挤住了，就不能结实。”
提摩太前书 6:9-10
但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。
在我们思考透过使命盈利之前，我们需要了解为什么金钱有危
害。以上经文表明什么是金钱潜在的危险？
有了对金钱的健康态度，我们可以追求利润。
保罗·伯 克利
用金钱去爱可以克服各种邪恶。
作为经商的基督徒，我们需要对金钱有个成熟的态度。我们首先要认识到金钱的危险。
追求利润
教 导.2
如果一家企业要长期运作，它就必须积极追求利润。这会给基督徒造成压力。在提摩太前书 6:5 中，使徒保罗警告提摩太那些“以敬虔为得利的门路”的人。当心…我们的动机很重要。对那些被呼召经商的人来说，金钱很容易成为追求的目标。英王钦定版圣经的翻译有一个微妙但重要的区别，指出了“得利就是敬虔的”这种观点的错误。富裕不一定等同敬虔，敬虔也不一定就是得到经济利益的手段。然而，积极追求利润对企业至关重要。国度企业该如何积极追求利润，这一对任何可持续发展的企业都是最为重要的目标呢？
天国又好比一个人要往外国去，就叫了仆人来，把他的家业交给他们；按着各人的才干，给他们银子：一个给了五千，一个给了二千，一个给了一千，就往外国去了。那领五千的随即拿去做买卖，另外赚了五千。那领二千的也照样另赚了二千。但那领一千的去掘开地，把主人的银子埋藏了。
马太福音25:14-30
过了许久，那些仆人的主人来了，和他们算账。那领五千银子的又带着那另外的五千来，说：“主啊，你交给我五千银子。请看，我又赚了五千。”主人说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理；可以进来享受你主人的快乐。”
那领二千的也来，说：“主啊，你交给我二千银子。请看，我又赚了二千。” 主人说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理；可以进来享受
你主人的快乐。”
那领一千的也来，说：“主啊，我知道你是忍心的人，没有种的地方要收割，没有散的地方要聚敛，我就害怕，去把你的一千银子埋藏在地里。请看，你的原银子在这里。” 主人回答说：“你这又恶又懒的仆人，你既知道我没有种的地方要收割，没有散的地方要聚敛，就当把我的银子放给兑换银钱的人，到我来的时候，可以连本带利收回。” 夺过他这一千来，给那有一万的。因为凡有的，还要加给他，叫他有余；没有的，连他所有的也要夺过来。把这无用的仆人丢在外面黑暗里；在那里必要哀哭切齿了。
前两个仆人受到什么表扬？他们的奖励是什么？
讨 论
第三仆人犯了什么错误？
你是否同意这段经文肯定了对利润的追求？如果是，那么这段经文大致肯定了什么样的回报率？
活 动
有以下五种赚钱的方法。针对每种方法举个现代相应的例子。
奴隶制,偷盗和欺骗,更努力地工作,更聪明地工作,祝福与恩惠.
你的企业如何设法追求利润？
你的企业为什么要追求利润？
国度企业的关注点应该放在透过使命追求利润上。这种做法已经很好地服务于一些伟大的公司。
追求使命
教 导
追求使命
美国药品公司默克就是一个很好的例子。他们明确声明公司的经营主要是为了维护和改善人类的生活，并以此来衡量公司的成功。其公司网站上列出的公司使命是“发现、开发、并提供能改善和拯救人们生活的创新产品和服务”。 这是一个明确的使命，是指导和激励其战略决策的道德基础。
第二次世界大战后的最初几年，结核病蚕食着日本社会。默克公司将链霉素带到日本来消除这种疾病。他们制定人们可以负担得起的价格，没有获得任何利润。实际上，他们选择减少财务上的成功，以确保更多的人可以使用该药物。他们通过这样做实现了公司宣言所定义的使命。
如今，默克已成为日本最大的美国制药公司，并且赚了很多钱。默克公司基金会自 1957 年成立以来，还向教育和非营利组织分发了 4.8 亿多美元。但是，赚钱并不是默克公司的主要目标，它只是追求更高更有价值的使命之副产品。
乔治· 默克
我们要记住，药物是为了病人，不是为了利润。利润会随之而来。如果我们记得这一点，就一定不会没有利润。我们记得越牢，利润就越大。
从 1946 年到 2000 年，默克公司的年利润增长至 60 亿美元，并比股票市场的表现出色 1,000％。他们越成功越赚钱，就越能实现他们的使命。他们取得了利润而不是追求利润。这是一个微妙但重要的区别。
嗐！你们有话说：“今天明天我们往某城里去，在那里住一年，作买卖得利。”其实明天如何，你们还不知道。你们的生
命是什么呢？你们原来是一片云雾，出现少时就不见了。你们只当说：“主若愿意，我们就可以活着，也可以做这事，或做
雅各书4:13-17
那事。”现今你们竟以张狂夸口；凡这样夸口都是恶的。人若知道行善，却不去行，这就是他的罪了。
这节经文指出了追求金钱和行善之间微妙而本质的区别。国度企业家必须专注于识别和追求“他们应做的善事”。这就是上帝对他们企业的旨意。
反 思
你更有动力去追求使命还是去追求利润？
在以下标尺上标出你的企业当前所关注焦点的位置。
利润、使命
讨 论
为什么追求使命比追求利润更有力量？
你和你的企业都有上帝赋予的使命。
我们原是祂的工作，在基督耶稣里造成的，为要叫我们行善，
就是神所预备叫我们行的。
以弗所书2:10 .Phil.腓立比书3:12
这不是说我已经得着了，已经完全了；我乃是竭力追求，或者可以得着基督耶稣所以得着我的
你被造主要是为了追求使命而不是利润。你同意吗？
国度企业的最终关注点应放在追求上帝赋予的使命上，利润会随之而来。
多个重要 领域教 导
作为国度企业家，我们必须认识到，一个好的符合神心意的企业不需要把追求金钱作为其主要目标。把对服务的关注远放在赚钱之上，正是这样的焦点激励了伟大的汽车制造商亨利·福特。1916 年，他被公司的两名股东告上法庭，因为他为了将公司的利润重新投资到公司的设施扩建中而减少了股息支付。
福特还降低了他们突破性的 T 型汽车的价格，就股东而言，这简直就是雪上加霜。在接受《底特律新闻》采访时他说：“我不认为我们应该在我们的汽车上赚到如此可观的利润。合理的利润是对的，但不是暴利。
我认为最好以微薄的利润出售大量的汽车…我这样认为是因为这可以让许多人能够购买和享用汽车，并且它可以给许多人带来就业和高薪。这就是我人生中的两个目标。”福特最终在法庭上败诉，但他却赢得了市场，福特汽车公司也得以繁荣发展。很值得在这里引用法庭交锋的摘录来展现他的态度。
“现在，”道奇严厉的律师埃利奥特·史蒂文森说，“我会再问你一次，你是否仍然认为那些利润是’可耻的利润’？”
“好吧，我想我认为是的，”福特回答。
“因此你不愿意继续获得如此可观的利润？” 律师问到。
福特带着歉意说：“我们似乎无法降低利润。”
你是不是在努力降低利润？福特汽车公司的组建除了为利润还为什么？你能告诉我吗，福特先生？”
“组建公司是为了我们可以竭尽所能随时随地为每个相关的人做好事。” 福特说。
傻了眼的律师停止了当天的辩论。然而，由于他必须证明企业的主要责任是为了它的股东，他后来又继续回击。
他问福特：“福特公司的目标是什么？”
“为每个相关的人尽可能多地做事，” 福特回答道，“赚钱并用它提供就业机会，制造汽车给人们使用…顺便赚些钱…，企业是为了服务，不是摇钱树。”
“顺便赚钱？”律师质问道。
“是的，先生。”
“但是你的主要目的是 – 用高薪聘请许多工人，降低汽车的售价，
使许多人能以低价购买它，给每个想要汽车的人一辆。”
“如果你努力这样做，”福特回答道，他肯定以为史蒂文森是以钦佩的心情陈述他的政策呢，“你就会赚钱，你不赚都不行。”
亨利·福特知道他的企业的功用。把做企业当成事工时，它所带来的不仅仅是经济价值，它的目的是为了社会的共同利益起作用。因此，了解你的企业对社会有什么用是很重要的。这就是它的功用。
你的企业的功用是什么？
国度企业应该在多个重要领域增加价值。下面列出了企业可以增加价值的一系列领域。思考你的企业如何在这每个领域中增加价值。在标尺上标出你的企业在每个领域所创造的价值的水平。
思 考
活 动
影响力
这就是你的企业价值的真实概况。总体而言，你的企业盈利状况如何？
道德价值得以弘扬和维护
你赢得财务利润
使用价值, 社会价值, 生态价值, 文化价值, 品牌价值, 精神价值,金融价值,
国度企业应该在多个重要领域盈利。
你的企业在财务上是否有盈利？
举例说明你企业的利润如何使用在以下领域：盈 利的目的
活 动 % 举例
花点时间回想一下你有史以来最大的一笔捐款。
反 思
教 导
开支, 保存, 分享, 播种,
据报道，历史上最大的一笔一次性捐款是沃伦·巴菲特向比尔和梅琳达·盖茨基金会捐赠的 370 亿美元。在福布斯 400 慈善终身成就奖的颁奖典礼上，他说：
沃伦·巴 菲特
“事实上我从来没有捐出过对我有用的任何一分钱。”巴菲特告诉聚集在联合国代表餐厅的 150 多位亿万富翁和接近亿万富翁者。“我非常感谢这个奖，我接受这个奖。但我接受它不仅仅是为我自己，而是为那成千上万的因为看到别人而觉得自己可以做得更好的，捐出对他们很重要的金钱的人。”
反 思
你的“最大捐款”实际上让你付出了多少？
国度企业需要对金钱的使用有成熟的态度。上帝挑战我们用我们的盈利来荣耀祂，并明智地管理我们的金钱。祂想要的是用他们的盈利来荣耀祂的快乐捐献者。
人岂可夺取神之物呢，你们竟夺取我的供物。你们却说：“我们在何事上夺取祢的供物呢？”就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物，咒诅就临到你们身上。
万军之耶和华说：你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。万军之耶和华说：我必为你们斥责蝗虫，不容它毁坏你们的土产。你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先也不掉果子。万军之耶和华说：万国必称你们为有福的，因你们的地必成为喜乐之地。
玛拉基书3:8-12
上帝要我们用什么考验祂？
讨 论
如果我们在这方面考验祂，上帝应许哪三个结果？思考这三个应许是如何直接解决经商中常见的顾虑的。
这段经文表明这种行为的长期结果是什么？
当国度企业缴纳十一奉献，它就有机会通过被我们称为“有力的奉献”的方式，将大量资金用于善事。如下图所示。
你的企业是否承诺过做“有力的奉献”？讨论这样做会对社会和教会的事工产生怎样的积极影响。
最后或许也是最重要的一点，玛拉基书的经文应许那些通过这样的行为尊崇上帝的人，将被人们视为有福和不同的人，为基督徒在本地和万国做见证奠定了基础。玛拉基书 3:18 说：“将善人和恶人，事奉神的和不事奉神的，分别出来。”最终，这种使用盈利的方法为万国带来祝福，“直到不再有需要”。
教 导
有力的奉献, 我的企业, 我的家庭, 薪金, 捐赠 我的教会, 事工, 十一奉献, 捐赠,
我这两只手常供给我和同人的需用，这是你们自己知道的。我凡事给你们作榜样，叫你们知道应当这样劳苦，扶助软弱的人，又当记念主耶稣的话，说：“施比受更为有福。”
使徒行传20:34-35.马可福音8:36
人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？
为了有效地将商业经营做为事工，金钱的使用必须正确，它需要正确的优先次序。首先，我们必须守护我们的灵魂。当我们把追求做善工和上帝赋予的更高的使命放在获利之先时，我们将取得有意义和持久的影响，而利润则可能随之而来。如果我们要将商业经营做为事工，这种做法和优先次序是必须的。
当我们掌握了我们对金钱的态度后，我们就准备好了
透过使命来盈利。
短暂祷告后结束会议。祈求上帝帮助你掌控金钱，并赐使命给你的公司，使你的公司能透过做善工来盈利。
7.祷 告、进 入…
一个全备的事工必须帮助大使命的完成。
耶稣进前来，对他们说：“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。”
28:18-20马太福音
这就是大使命，教会的使命宣言。一项活动要成为一个全备的基督教事工，它必须有效地促进实现大使命的努力。也就是说，
祷 告、进 入 全 世 界
简短祷告后开始会议。
它必须有助于将福音传给万邦。现在我们来探讨商业经营如何做到这一点。
讨 论
你是否同意商界需要这种宣教的努力？
“但圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得着能力，并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地，和撒马利亚，直到地极，作我的见证。”
Acts1:8使徒行传
活 动
为了实现大使命，我们首先需要圣灵的力量。然后我们必须确立我们的事工领域，并问自己：我们的耶路撒冷，犹太全地和撒玛利亚在哪里？你公司的影响力甚至可以延伸到地极。在经商的情况下，可以参照下图：
针对你的企业，写下 A，B 和 C 的答案，确定你特定的影响范围，这就是你的宣教领域。
地极、全球商业文化、撒玛利亚、犹大全地、耶路撒冷、你的公司、你的领域、你的行业
基督徒按照上帝的心意尽心尽意地默默完成自己的日常工作，慢慢地一定会发现他们影响了同事，顾客，供应商和竞争对手的行为。总有一天，这可以改变商业文化。
教 导.
商业经营和门徒训练.
无论是地理还是文化的宣教，我们都被呼召去帮助把福音带到生活的每个领域。经商是个把福音传到地极的强有力的工具。商业是社会的核心。我们的经营方式，一个公司的文化会极大地影响与之相关的人的价值观。由于国度企业的文化与神国的价值观和原则一致，因此与之相关的人的价值观也会被影响而变得与神国的价值观一致。我们的企业文化所具有的这种简单而深刻的指导和影响周围人之价值观和行为的能力，就是门徒训练的全部含义。
国度企业家拥有远超于改变自己公司经营方式的惊人特权。他们可以影响和定义自己公司的文化，从而影响与其公司有联系的其他人的行为。在我们自己发现了上帝的真理之后，我们就有机会提供一个场所，让我们的同事，客户，供应商和竞争对手来探索国度文化，并亲身体验福音在全世界职场上的大能。当我们选择坚定地按上帝的方式经营时，其他人将会看见并体验上帝真是良善的。
斯蒂芬·伦德尔
国度企业家的与众不同之处在于他们不仅效法基督教的门徒训练，而且更进一步地创造机会告诉他人他们行为背后的动
力。
做门徒就是变得更像基督的过程。下图说明了门徒训练的过程。
活 动
门徒训练过程, 其他人作见证, 其他人相信, 其他人经历, 其他人学习, 上帝的工作,
我们学习, 我们应用, 我们示范, 我们作见证, 上帝的方式, 我们的工作,
写下你所知道的符合上帝心意的经商方式（它可以是像不在办公室说脏话那样简单的事情）。使用上图描述的过程，思考如何使其他人也这样成为门徒。
我们必须记住带来我们所希望看到的他人的转变是上帝的责任。讨论你是否认为有必要说“不要在我的办公室亵渎神”这样的话。
我深信那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。
讨 论
Phil.1:6腓利比书
教 导
人们越来越需要有诚信并且有信心将其价值观应用到工作中的企业。人们期待企业的领导者定下基调，其他人选择遵循的是企业领导者的价值观。经商的基督徒全都应该大胆地坚持自己信仰的价值观。
毕竟，这些价值观是良善的。我们甚至可以更进一步地说,实际上这些价值观是对商业经营也必然有益的价值观。坚守我们的价值观让所有人看到，这就是做见证的最终含义。
做见证就是毫不羞愧地实践和宣告与我们所持有的价值观一致的生活方式。对我们来说，这些价值观就是耶稣教导和持守的，并且能够在圣经中找到的价值观。这就是为什么能回答下面这个问题是很重要的：“如果耶稣经营我的公司，他会
做什么和怎么做？”
你公司的价值观是什么？
这些价值观是否反映了上帝的价值观和品格吗？
你是否认为有足够的证据或见证可以证明你的公司是按照基督教的价值观来经营的？
讨 论
你的公司目前位于哪个方框中？
当基督徒商业领袖满有信心和诚信地践行上帝的价值观时，其他人就会与福音相遇。
办自己的事，亲手做工，正如我们从前所吩咐你们的，叫你们可以向外人行事端正，自己也就没有什么缺乏了。
4:11b-12帖撒罗尼迦前书
你们是世上的光… 你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。
5:14-16马太福音
世俗的价值观 神的价值观 – 成 为 有 效 的 见 证 人
教 导
如果每个信徒都能找到一种经营他们日常业务的方式，使他们甚至是默默做的好事都让周围的人看到并且肃然起敬，那么整个社会肯定会注意到这一点。诀窍是要确保我们不把“默默地”与“秘密地”混淆。我们被呼召把好消息和我们的好
行为从“斗”下面拿出来，让它们的光被人看见。机构的领导人要比大多数人更加密切地观察，使他们的榜样更容易地
被他们所领导的人效法。作为领导者，我们通过我们的言行为自己的机构定下基调。经商的基督思考他们的日常工作如
何能赢得外人的尊重将大有好处。
你的经营方式是否赢得了“外人的尊重”？在下面的标尺上标记你的情况。
反 思
从来没有 、总是
要做有效的见证，我们必须明白并确信自己的信仰。
只要心里尊主基督为圣。有人问你们心中盼望的缘由，就要常作准备，以温柔、敬畏的心回答各人；
活 动
彼得前书3:15
两人一组，思考下图。列出你对你公司的未来“抱有希望”的原因。
上帝的话语、我的希望、上帝对我个、人所说的话、上帝对经商命定、的目的和计划、我个人的经商恩赐、
上帝的恩赐。
从上帝来的话语
上帝赐予的希望使你对自己的现状和未来充满信心，乐观和平安。这样的希望会被其他人注意和尊重。他们甚至可能想知道其来源。
教 导
要做一个有效的见证，我们还必须使福音广为人知。对基督信仰明确并公开是任何基督教事工的基础。这听起来好像很明显，但我们很容易做好人而不是毫不含糊地做属神的人。请注意！上帝是忌邪的神，而耶稣也在路加福音 9:26 清楚地表明：“凡把我和我的道当作可耻的，人子在自己的荣耀里…也要把那人当作可耻的。
”要使我们能做任何有效的见证，我们必须公开表明我们是基督徒。为使我们有机会做更大的见证，我们应该让我们的同事和长期的客户知道我们是基督徒。这使得我们能在经营的过程中自然而然地揭示我们的信仰及其对象，诀窍就是要寻找并抓住时机。
对于我们大多数人来说，大使命中最难的部分就是担心公开自己是基于基督信仰来做生意或许会对自己的生意不利，我们必须克服任何
这类的担心。
在你的工作场所大家知道你是基督徒吗？你的这个声誉扩展到你工作的同事，客户，甚至你所在的部门和行业吗？
我不以福音为耻；这福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的，先是犹太人，后是希腊人。
罗马书1:16
讨 论
你认为在职场直接让人知道福音是否合适？
我们来看但以理是怎样柔和并谦恭地做到这一点。
教 导
但以理书2:14-28a
王的护卫长亚略出来，要杀巴比伦的哲士，但以理就用婉言回答他，向王的护卫长亚略说：『王的命令为何这样紧急呢！』亚略就将情节告诉但以理。
但以理遂进去求王宽限，就可以将梦的讲解告诉王。但以理回到他的居所，将这事告诉他的同伴哈拿尼雅、米沙利、亚撒利雅，要他们祈求天上的神施怜悯，将这奥秘的事指明，免得但以理和他的同伴与巴比伦其余的哲士一同灭亡。这奥秘的事就在夜间异象中给但以理显明，但以理便称颂天上的神。但以理说：
『神的名是应当称颂的！从亘古直到永远，因为智慧能力都属乎祂。祂改变时候、日期，废王，立王，将智慧赐与智慧人，将知识赐与聪明人。
祂显明深奥隐秘的事，知道暗中所有的，光明也与祂同居。我列祖的神啊，我感谢祢，赞美祢；因祢将智慧才能赐给我，允准我们所求的，把王的事给我们指明。』
于是，但以理进去见亚略，就是王所派灭绝巴比伦哲士的，对他说：『不要灭绝巴比伦的哲士，求你领我到王面前，我要将梦的讲解告诉王。』亚略就急忙将但以理领到王面前，对王说：『我在被掳的犹大人中遇见一人，他能将梦的讲解告诉王。』
王问称为伯提沙撒的但以理说：『你能将我所做的梦和梦的讲解告诉我吗？』但以理在王面前回答说：『王所问的那奥秘事，哲士、用法术的、术士、观兆的都不能告诉王，只有一位在天上的神能显明奥秘的事。祂已将日后必有的事指示尼布甲尼撒王。
但以理书2:46-49
当时，尼布甲尼撒王俯伏在地，向但以理下拜，并且吩咐人给他奉上供物和香品。王对但以理说：『你既能显明这奥秘
的事，你们的神诚然是万神之神、万王之主，又是显明奥秘事的。』
于是王高抬但以理，赏赐他许多上等礼物，派他管理巴比伦全省，又立他为总理，掌管巴比伦的一切哲士。但以理求王，王就派沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌管理巴比伦省的事务，只是但以理常在朝中侍立。
但以理将上帝的话传达给国王。仔细阅读经文，写下但以理以“智慧和机智”向国王揭示上帝的步骤。
讨 论
你认为但以理为什么没有告诉亚略解梦的源头是上帝？
但以理“公开自己的信仰”宣告上帝在解梦中的角色，其结果是什么？
反 思
我们都是传教士。无论我们到哪里，我们要么使人们更接近基督，要么使人们更远离基督。
在下面的标尺上，标出你的位置，然后标出你公司的位置。
使人远离基督 使人接近基督
什么可以帮助你和你的公司更有效地做见证并向着右边移动？
讨 论
想出个例子来说明你和你的公司如何能吸引人们更接近基督。
要在大使命中发挥自己的作用，国度企业家必须传扬基督，使同事，顾客和竞争对手更接近基督
短暂祷告后结束会议。求神赐勇气和智慧使你能在大使命中发挥自己的作用。
5. God ga…
Open the session with a short time of prayer.
The first task God gave mankind is known as the Creation Mandate. It is the first objective of a complete ministry.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’
Genesis1:27-28
Discussion.
The passage establishes being fruitful as the primary mandate. Discuss what this means and how it is distinct from ‘increasing in number’.
Prayer
How does the passage suggest mankind is to provide for the needs of increasing numbers of people?
Having established that we are called to be fruitful, we will now consider how this is to be achieved.
Teaching.
Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground
Genesis2:5
In Genesis chapter 2 we find the second account of creation. The earth is unproductive and yet to bear fruit. The reasons are twofold. The passage tells us that the Lord God had not yet sent the essential physical ingredient; rain. There was also a second equally important ingredient missing. There was no one to ‘work the ground’.
Achieving the primary goal of a fruitful creation requires two essential components; God’s part and our part. God provides the water, but He needs us to work and steward creation and maximize its fruitfulness through innovation, production, and cultivation. We are half of the solution. God is looking for people to work His creation and make it fruitful.
Few of us are farmers today. Do you think business is now the primary means by which we subdue the earth and ‘work the ground’, helping to make the earth productive and mankind fruitful?
We are called to be productive (fruitful). The business provides the framework for mankind to be fruitful. Business is therefore an essential part of God’s plan for creation.
Discussion.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis2:15
In this passage, God adds a responsibility to care for His creation. It is the essential complement to work, if we are to be sustainably fruitful.
Discussion.
What does it mean to work creation?
What does it mean to care for creation?
Teaching.
One of the central concerns of modern business is sustainability. The accepted definition of sustainability provided by 1987
United Nations Bruntland Commission states ‘sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
Compare this to the following passage from the Bible.
If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.
Deut22:6
This verse provides a godly pattern for consumption and establishes a succinct approach to sustainable development.
Discussion.
Do you feel Christians have been proactive in promoting sustainability?
Consider the wisdom of this passage. What are the implications of this verse for Christians in business?
But in the seventh year, the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.
Leviticus25:4.
What are the wider implications of this verse for business? Consider the implications of this on both short-term and long-term productivity.
The Bible introduces the importance of care alongside work and establishes a sustainable approach to fruitfulness.
The right balance between work and rest is essential for sustaining the primary objective of fruitfulness in our lives.
By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Genesis2:2-3 .Exodus20:8-11 .
‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.’
Work Work Work God establishes a rhythm for our work. What are the hallmarks
of this rhythm?
If we are to prosper in business we must establish the right balance between working and resting. Do you have the balance right?
Never All the time Reflection.
Discuss the consequences of a workplace culture where it is ‘all work and no care’.
Do you have both the faith and discipline to rest?
Teaching.
As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we are above all called to bear spiritual fruit. In John 15:5-8 Jesus tells us that we can only ‘bear much fruit’ by ‘remaining in Him’. He uses the analogy of remaining ‘in the vine’.
He is the vine and we are the branches on which the fruit grows. As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, the fruit that grows on our particular branch will be the result of how committed we are to nurture our connection with the vine. A balanced approach to rest is essential to getting this right.
Consider what the following verses show about the balance we must strike between work and care if we are to sustain fruitfulness.
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs24:30-34 .2 Thess.3:10-13.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people, we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
Is your work ethic more inclined towards ‘workaholic’ or ‘sluggard’?
Reflection.
Sluggard Workaholic What could you do this month to improve the work-life balance either for you or your colleagues?
God is asking us to trust Him by recognizing that we need to balance work with care. This rhythm establishes a sustainable approach to fruitfulness.
It is God’s intended outcome for both His disciples and creation to ‘bear much fruit. When mankind is sustainably fruitful, something of the kingdom of God is experienced on earth and all of society prospers.
It is our perspective on prosperity that drives our approach to work and care. Those called to business need to establish a godly perspective on prosperity. Only then can we maintain the right balance between work and care. A Godly vision for prosperity
Circle the zone of the graph which best describes the boundaries of your vision of a prosperous life (honestly!)
Describe your own vision of a prosperous life.
Activity.
Consider the different visions of prosperity in the following passages from Deuteronomy and Revelation.
Activity .
Deut.28:2-12a.
All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock – the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.
Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you.
The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity – in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock, and the crops of your ground – in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.
Rev.18:10b17a.
“Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!”
The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore – cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
Compare the descriptions of prosperity in these passages. What are the key differences? Reflect on whether the passages show a vision of prosperity focussed on needs or wants. cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
They will say, “The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be
recovered.” The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out:
“Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!”
Activity.
Happiness is not having what you want but wanting what you have.
Reflection.
Reflect on the diagram above. Is the prosperity that you aspire to and are currently working towards between the moral limits and within the zone of Biblical prosperity?
Does your business promote and trade-off ‘poverty’, ‘needs’ or ‘wants’?
It is important to maintain a Biblical view of prosperity. Consider the following passages.
Ecclesiastes5:10-12.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on
them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
Activity.
In this scripture, what is revealed as the signs that we have lost the right perspective on prosperity?
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink, and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them – for this is their lot. 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. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them
occupied with gladness of heart.
Ecclesiastes5:18-20
The secret of a truly prosperous life is contentment. What does this passage from Ecclesiastes reveal about the ingredients of a truly prosperous life?
Having achieved a larger than expected profit, this successful entrepreneur decided to put his feet up and take life easy. He used his profit to secure his vision of a prosperous life. He failed to use God’s abundant provision to prosper others. He chose instead to walk away from a God-given opportunity to prosper in business for the commonwealth and forfeited his part in God’s plan for creation.
It did not end well; ‘This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God.’
Luke12:16-21
towards God.’ This ‘rich man’ forfeited his God-given role and purpose as a fruitful farmer. With no remaining purpose or meaning in his life, he died.
What would have been a better response to a bumper profit?
Prosperity is like an overflowing cup. As more of God’s provision flows into our lives, we have a choice… let it overflow to others or reach for a bigger cup and store more for ourselves. We must cultivate a culture of extravagant generosity if we are to truly prosper in business.
Discussion.
Teaching.
1. Business has a crucial role to play in the creation of prosperity. A Kingdom Business strives to contribute towards God’s vision of a prosperous society rather than work against it. Prosperity is a good thing but it is essential that we pursue a godly vision of prosperity if we are to make our business a fruitful ministry.
The measure of true prosperity is not how much flows to us, so much as how much flows through and around us.
1. Close the session with a short time of prayer. Ask God to cultivate in you a godly vision of prosperity and the contentment to live it out.