· Purpose in coming together
o Help
business people discover their purpose and call of God in marketplace.
o Stimulate
advance and success in personal and business life.
· Attitude determines altitude –
how you see something affects what you do.
· Must address and overcome wrong
thinking – anti Bible – based on wrong concept.
· Example:
o Separation
of spiritual and natural
o Concept
of church primarily operates within building
o Concept
that people involved in businesses are less spiritual
o Concept
that primary role of Christian businessmen is to fund Christians
· New Testament Ž Every believer
is minister of God with unique call.
Marketplace = centre of business,
education, government.
Traditional
Concept of Jesus:
· Pictured as hostile to business
and wealth.
· Pictured as monk more than
manager.
Reality:
Jesus was a businessman, a coach, a leader.
Jesus’
Birthplace – Marketplace:
· Luke 2:7 Jesus was born in a
place of business – local inn.
· Luke 2:8-14 Angelic celebration
– nearby feedlot for shepherds.
· Luke 2:15 Jesus’ first visitors
– local small business owners –shepherds.
· Stable = equivalent of modern
service station – fuel and parking.
· This was done to show God’s
heart for marketplace – where sinners are.
· Age 12 – must be about My
Father’s business.
Jesus
in Business – Marketplace:
· Mark 6:3 Is not this the
carpenter, the son of Mary? – offended at Him!
· Tend to see Jesus as Teacher
and King (Ruler) – difficult seeing as businessman.
· Jesus neighbors described Him:
“The Carpenter” – offended because could not see local businessman as knowing
spiritual things.
· Jesus taught carpentry from
teens Ž 20 years in business.
· Jesus took over and operated
Father’s business.
· Jesus a skilled craftsman with
His own business – made tables, chairs, doors, yokes etc.
Jesus
– Successful in Business:
- Professional carpenter – earned
a living from His business. Had to run shop at a profit.
Familiar with:
- costs goods/labor
- supply and demand
- competitive pricing
- return on investment
- maintenance and replacement
- taxes
- Called the “carpenters son”
(Matthew 13:55) and “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3).
- As firstborn male – Jesus ran
family, owned business.
- Family all had roles.
- Business able to support eight
or more.
Jesus
was thoroughly familiar with business life and spoke on it often.
Examples:
- Construction Matthew 7:24
- Wine making Luke 5:37
- Farming Mark 4:2
- Management and labor Matthew
20:1
- Family owned businesses Matthew
21:28-31
- Hostile takeover of vineyard
Luke 20:9
- Return on investment Matthew
25:14
- Crop yield Mark 13:27
- Management – promotion Luke
12:35
- Misuse of money – bankruptcy
Luke 15:11
- Leverage Luke 16:1
Jesus – Business Miracles:
Many
of Jesus’ miracles concerned everyday matters – cutting edge.
Examples:
- Boys fishes/loaves – fed
thousands Matthew 14:13
- Water into wine – solved
catering problem John 2:10
- Huge catch of fish = insider
trading profit for Peter Luke 5:1-14
- Advice to Peter paid tax bill
of both Matthew 17:24-27
Jesus
– Financing His Ministry:
Many
people think of Jesus as broke – not true.
Examples:
· Supported by group of wealthy
women Luke 8:1-3
· Seamless tunic: modern
equivalent of Armani suit
· Enough money needed for
treasurer John 13:29
· Marketplace = where Jesus
recruited His disciples (followers).
· 1 Corinthians 7:17 “As God has
distributed to every man, as the Lord has called everyone, so let him walk.”
· Do you have a job or a calling
(invitation from God to fulfill purpose).
· Every believer has a “call of
God” to serve Him uniquely.
· Called to: computer, car
selling, capacity, police, and business.
· Example: Exodus
31:2 Bezaleel
· Call of God carries with it
anointing – empowering to prosper.
· You don’t change job when
become Christian – fulfill God’s purpose where you are in the front lines of
business.
· God has a plan, a destiny, a
purpose for you to fulfill.
· Beginning:
· Personal response to Jesus
Christ
· Commitment of life – including
business to Lord