Bridging the Gap

Introduction

· Purpose in coming together – not to ask you for money.

· Experience in Asia:  Businessmen – FGB – Tony Tseng.

· Experience in Africa:  Capetown

· Experience in NZ:  Gap between spiritual and natural.  Ignorance of Kingdom of God – purpose of God for businesses.

· Goal:  Bridge the gap – help businessmen discover purpose and destiny in marketplace.

· Stimulate advance and success in personal and business life.

· Example:  Rachel – Heinz Watties

God we serve = God of business

1. Expectations on Christian business people

Example: Victorian era attitude to sex:  Do it but don’t enjoy it.  Produce but not too excited – become carnal.

2. Bible is full of businessmen

Majority of key people in Old Testament not mystics but businessmen:

· Abraham – Father of faith – wealthy businessman

· Jacob – Prospered in business

· Job – Wealthy businessman – active socially and government (Job 31)

· David – Shepherd

· Joseph – Prospered in Egypt in spite of injustices

· Daniel – Most influential man in Babylon – in spite eunuch

· Prophets – Esther – Proverbs 31 woman

· Peter – Fisherman (Luke 5)

· Levi – Tax collector

· Luke – Doctor

Each person had unique destiny – mostly fulfilled in market.

3. Profit motive is good

· God is a God of investment and increase.

· Example:  Genesis 1 Increase and multiply – be fruitful – productive.

· Example:  Luke Tree not bearing fruit – cut it down.

· No athlete enters competition to lose – enter to win.

· Profit motive is stimulation to take on challenge.

· Problem:  Profit at any cost – no matter how do it.  Win or profit without God’s principles – devastating.

· Example:  Luke 19  Parable of pounds

· How much each gained by trading.

· Unprofitable servant rebuked and disqualified.

4. Example of David

· 1 Samuel 17:26 What is in this for me: riches, kings doing what they like and no taxes.

· Shepherd businessman vs. professional soldier.

· Did not separate business and spiritual – same God who helped business helped now.

· God central to both!

· Attempts to disqualify:

(i) Eliab – wrong motives

(ii) Saul – no experience

(iii) Goliath – not soldier

· David’s bold response:  Anointing that worked in business – work here too!

· No separation or gap in his natural and spiritual life.

5. Men in the marketplace

Examples:  Joseph / Moses / David / Job / Esther / Elisha / Peter
All men who impacted businesses through walk with God.

Four levels or roles in market place – determined by attitude:

(i) Christian in business

· See marketplace as evil but do all can to hold ground.

· Goal is survival – like POW.

 (ii) Christian who applies Bible principles

· More positive outlook.

· Principles enable them to overcome temptation.

· Settle for a draw – won’t change marketplace/marketplace will change them.

(iii) Christian who depends on power and influence of Holy Spirit

· Seek God to hear Him – do what He tells them.

· Expect hand of God blessing personal and business life.

 (iv)     Christian committed to transforming marketplace

· Have experienced power of God personally and in business.

· Have apostolic mindset – on a mission to transform.

· See that the flock they pastor is marketplace of business.

Action: Bridge gap.

Luke 19 - Servants prospered in business

Expand influences

· Periodic breakfast meetings to inspire – keys.

· Connection – other businessmen – pray and encourage, share word.

· Profile businessmen in church.

· Opportunities for mission experiences.