Новые времена Go back to the homepage The benefits of working with God In my career, I have sometimes started a business without God, and sometimes with God. That is, in some cases, I have determined what kind of business to start and decided all the details on my own without consulting God. In others, I have taken time to pray, seeking God's wisdom and guidance and His leading to work out all the details that are so important in starting a new business and moving it toward success. I've found that the difference is like trying to run in a strong storm with the wind in your face or running with the wind blowing at your back. In other words, you can try to do it the hard way or the (relatively) easy way. Starting a new venture is never easy, but utilizing God's infinite wisdom, guidance, and provision definitely helps you overcome the inevitable obstacles. As you think about starting a business, it is important to remember one important principle: everything belongs to God. As it says in 1 Chronicles 29:11, «Yours, O Lord, is greatness, and might, and glory, and victory, and splendor, and all that is in heaven and on earth is Yours: Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and You are above all things as Sovereign». Reflect on this for a few minutes. Another scripture text, from Psalm 24:1, reads: «The Lord's earth and what fills it, the universe and all that lives in it». Both of these passages mean that God is in charge of everything. He is in control of the whole universe, big and small things, including our business. Trying to build something contrary to God's will or contrary to His plan is an act of foolishness. We can think of many examples of entrepreneurs and innovative business leaders who wisely chose to dedicate their business to God from the beginning. One of them was the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain founded by Truett Cathy, who started with one restaurant and then his company grew to thousands of stores across the United States. Not only did he dedicate the business to the Lord, but he made the unusual decision to close his restaurants on Sundays – no exceptions. Before his death, Cathy said of his enterprise: «You don't have to be a Christian to work at Chick-fil-A, but we ask you to base your business on biblical principles because they do work. I would resent it if shareholders who don't know the business tried to tell me what to do.» One day, addressing a large crowd, Jesus Christ said: «For who among you, when he desires to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, whether he has what is needed to complete it, lest when he has laid the foundation and cannot complete it, all those who see it should laugh at him, saying, "This man began to build and could not finish?» (Luke 14:28-30). In reality, Jesus was talking about the cost of following Him:«To all he said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.» (Luke 9:23). However, this principle also applies to starting a business: we need to choose the right foundation on which to build. Before starting a new business, we should take time to pray and seek God's will. If we act according to God's plan, He will confirm our work. If you have already started your business without including the Lord, you should reconsider: sooner is better than later. Copyright 2024, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from UBN Integrity Moments. Visit: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a ministry of faith in action for the international small business community. Questions for reflection/discussion Have you ever tried starting a new business? If yes, describe the process you followed when starting it. Rick Box compares his experience of starting a business without the Lord and the experience he started with God's involvement, wisdom, principles, and provision. What is your reaction to this approach? Does it just seem idealistic to you, or do you see the practical benefits of entrusting your business to the Lord from the beginning? What if you work for a company or organization and have no influence in determining whether it is dedicated to God? How would you still choose to operate with God in your assignments and responsibilities? The Bible text says, "For we are co-laborers with God, and you are God's field, God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9). Do you believe this? Explain what you think this text means? NOTES. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following texts: Proverbs 16:7; 24:27,30-34; Matthew 6:24,33; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:17, 23-24. Difficult task In the coming week, take time to review your approach to work. Who are you working for – yourself, or are you ultimately seeking to work for God and trusting Him to guide you in your decisions and actions? Sometimes good intentions are not enough. It is helpful to have people who will encourage you to follow Jesus Christ where you work. If you are a member of a CBMC group, you may be able to find such support. If not, pray and ask God to direct you to fellow believers who can provide the help you need.
