Blessing of the Businesses, 2006

Pastor Joe Fuiten, January 15, 2006

I’m not sure where this came from but its about a farmer in the farming country of southeast Arkansas. He went to see his banker at the end of a really bad harvest season. It was the end of the year, and all the farmer's loans were coming due. He walked into the banker's office and said, "Friend, I've got some good news and some bad news."

The banker replied, "Better give me the bad news first."

The farmer said, "You remember how dry it was back in the spring, and I didn't get half my crop up out of the ground, and then it rained all fall and ruined what little crop I had. I'm not going to be able to repay the loan I had for the seed I bought."

The banker said, "Yeah, that's bad news all right."

The farmer said, "That's not all. You remember the loan you made me to buy the new farm equipment. Well, I'll not be able to pay that loan, either. I've had to dip too deeply into my savings."

The banker responded, "Well, that's certainly bad news, too. That's awful!"

The farmer went on, "And the loan you made me on my house and land and all my buildings? I won't even be able to pay the interest on that loan. I've used everything I have. I'm broke as the Ten Commandments. I'm sorry."

The banker looked at the farmer with a dazed expression and said, "This is really terrible. This is awful! With bad news like that, what in the world is your good news?"

The farmer brightened a bit and smiled and said, "The good news is, I'm going to keep bringing you all my business!"

Last Sunday we emphasized the anointing of the Holy Spirit for ministry. I have felt the touch of God this week in a tremendous way. I hope you have too. Remember to keep praying. In that way you can continue to stir up the gifts that are in you by the laying on of hands.

We are seeing fruit from many of our previous labors. We might think that our Presentation Sunday is getting ordinary. However, it is just now starting to seep down into the fabric of this community. There is a wonderful response that is still waiting to come about. Please continue to pray with me that God will work in lives through this service.

Today’s service remains an important one for people’s lives and for the work of God.

Scripture Reading: 1 Tim 6: 3-19. Page 841.

3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 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.

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time-God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Discussions about wealth and business were common in the ancient world. Particularly in Ephesus where Timothy was pasturing at the time of this letter, they viewed financial blessing as coming from Artemis. You went to her Temple to borrow money. Rates of interest had been stable for centuries by this time. About 8% for normal business, but up to 25% for more risky ventures like sea shipping, and that was only available during the summer months.

Certain ideas from the culture had drifted into the church. One in particular was that godliness is a means to financial gain. That had as many people seeking wealth as we do today.

Paul offers several alternatives to that idea.

First is that contentment is where it’s at.

He contrasts those who are content with those who want to get rich. He suggests there are lots of risks on the path to riches.

Then he offers the pursuit of God and his righteousness as worthy of our efforts. He is speaking to Timothy, but he really has a wider audience in mind as well. There is a wonderful description of God in verses 15 to 16.

Finally, he speaks to those who are already rich. To those he suggests putting our hope in God rather than in our riches. Further, he says we should be rich in good deeds. The measure of our life is the ability to do good. The advantage of wealth is that it increases your capacity to do good deeds. At one point Paul even suggests that one reason to work is to be able to do good. Eph 4:27-28 “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”

As we think about business we think about our jobs. We have business owners here. We also have those who work for others. Paul’s instruction in this chapter deals with both owners and employees.

1. Be thankful for your job. It is how to take care of your family and one of the ways you serve God.

2. Look forward to working as much as to vacation. I highly recommend Enthusiasm makes the difference by Norman Vincent Peale. Shakespeare said it well: “If every day were a holiday, to play would be as tedious as work.” It reminds me of the guy who was asked how long he had worked for that particular company. “Ever since they threatened to fire me.”

3. Do your best to move up in your work. Three things are at stake: Your happiness, your tithes, and your taxes. These impact God’s three most important institutions in the world: the family, the church, and the state. Rather than competing with others we should compete with ourselves. If we motivate ourselves, we will eventually be recognized by others and will be given greater responsibilities. Responsibility usually translates into pay, at least eventually.

4. Do your work for God’s glory. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24.

(Have each person hand a few of their business cards to people around them so they can pray.) “Lift up the cards before the Lord and pray along with me.”

Almighty God, we seek your gracious favor upon our businesses, employment, and resources. As stewards, we know you are the giver and sustainer of all life, including our work and entrepreneurial pursuits. May our corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, home based businesses, and daily employment, bring honor and glory to you.

We lift up the businesses of this church and community and pray for your blessing upon them. May each one of them do well this year, not only for themselves, but also for the greater good.

We pray that each person who is looking for work will find it; that each worker will rise in their employment; and each business represented here will flourish.

We pray for business leaders to make good decisions, hearing only the accurate advice. Close their ears to people that might lead them down the wrong path. Open their hearts to the wisdom of God in the many competing decisions that must be made.

We pray for business leaders to live by the golden rule. Give them good ideas that will bless and help others, the kind of ideas that will also earn for them and their employees a good living. Use the resources that they generate to bless your work, both here and in missions.

For those businesses that are struggling, we pray for wisdom and understanding to turn them around. Help them to see what is happening and to make the necessary changes. Give them clear focus.

Bless this country with good leaders who will not hinder, but help things to go well. Bless each enterprise; whether academic, social, governmental, sales, services or manufacturing, that in each pursuit your blessing will flow and you will be glorified.

In Jesus’ Name we ask these blessings and give you praise. Amen.