Fire Proof for God

Fire Proof for God

By Mike McLoughlin,
Youth With A Mission, Marketplace Mission
Visit the Scruples Small Business Forum at www.scruples.net for more information.

A Vision for the Nations

David Livingstone came to Africa with a vision to end the slave trade. He proposed to accomplish his vision by preaching the gospel to the people of Africa and opening the interior of Africa to lawful commerce. He said to a friend in a letter written in 1865: "I would not consent to go simply as a geographer, but as a missionary, and do geography by the way, because I feel I am in the way of duty when trying either to enlighten these poor people, or open their land to lawful commerce."¹ He believed that "if the Christian missionaries and Christian merchants can remain throughout the year in the interior of the continent, in ten years the slave trader will be driven out of the market."²

He never saw the realization of his dream. However, he pioneered the way for missionaries and for business people to come to Africa. Eventually the cruel slave trade came to an end and Africa became the first continent to have the majority of its population profess the Christian faith in less than a century. David Livingstone "sowed in tears" what others have "reaped with joy."

Yet one hundred and thirty years later the people of Africa remain in bondage to poverty, war, disease, famine, corruption, tribalism, and many other forms of oppression. The "lawful" commerce envisioned by David Livingstone has become corrupted by dishonest business and government leaders who have amassed great wealth while their people live in terrible poverty. This pattern is repeated in many developing countries around the world.

The Kenyan author George Kinoti in his book, Hope for Africa states "the African people, and more particularly African Christians, must act to change Africa's condition. They must act to replace human degradation with human dignity, poverty and hunger with prosperity, disease with health, oppression with freedom, injustice with justice and conflict with peace." He goes on to say, "Africa desperately needs a new type of leader... namely a man or woman of integrity, ability and education who has a genuine concern for and commitment to the well-being of all their fellow citizens. Such leaders do not arise spontaneously. They must be created through careful character formation and training of young people."³ Kinoti believes that the Christian Church has an important role to play in the development of such leadership. This is true for every nation.

The church may have a role to play in the development of leaders with character; however, it is in the business community that the people of the nations will look for their future leaders. Successful business people will be sought after to take charge of the national economy and provide the prosperity that the people so desperately want.

Christians of sound character and strong business ability will be in an excellent position to confront the bondages of poverty, corruption and oppression in the nations. But they need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (Philippians 2:14-16)

Thus David Livingstone's vision for the African people remains unfulfilled today. Only Christianity can save people from bondage to sin and only "lawful" commerce -- just commerce --honest commerce -- Christian commerce -- can save them from bondage to poverty. Christians who understand God's purpose for them in business have an unique role to play in their society to make it a better place for everyone to live. Their Christian character provides them the motivation to do what is right and just. Their business ability provides them with the potential to solve the problems their people face.

The Tests of Character

Character, though, remains the missing ingredient for the success of Christians in the leadership of their countries. God is looking for men and women that have proven themselves worthy of the high calling to disciple the nations for Jesus Christ. I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30).

The church can provide teaching on godly character, but economic activity will provide the test of the integrity of that character. Adversity was the way God used to test the character of the people of Israel. Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2)

The economic difficulty that many business people face as the global economy is re structured will tempt them to despair. Perseverance is the key to survival economically and faithfulness is the key to survival spiritually. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

However, another test of character will come with material success in business. Prosperity can be the crucible in which character is proved true or false. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. (Proverbs 17:3).

When the Queen of Sheba went to visit Solomon she doubted the reports she had heard about him, but when she saw him and the splendour of his wealth she was overwhelmed. "But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness." (1 Kings 10:7-9).

God had blessed Solomon greatly because of his character, because he maintained justice and righteousness in Israel. What God did for Solomon He can do again for those who seek Him in righteousness and justice in business or in the leadership of their nations.

However, Solomon's story does not have a happy ending. In his prosperity he was led astray by his wives to worship other gods. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. (1 Kings 11:4). The Lord was not pleased with Solomon's half hearted devotion. The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. (1 Kings 11:9).

Profaning God's Name

As the leaders go, so go the people. Solomon's sin infected the people of Israel and they too turned to idol worship, so much so that God eventually sent them into captivity after the destruction of their land and temple. But God had mercy on the remnant of his people in captivity and He delivered them out of their captivity. He did it not for their sake but for the sake of His name as Ezekiel prophesied:

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. (Ezekiel 36:22). ...You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel! (Ezekiel 36:28-32).

The same word is true today for Christians in business. Christians whose hearts are not fully devoted to God will be led astray to worship the idols of material success. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)

As they lose their fervour for Christ they will find themselves captive to sin in the marketplace. (Acts 8:23) In their sin, they will profane the name of the Lord. The name of Christ will be mocked and ridiculed by unbelievers who observe known Christians in dishonest business practice. Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?"-- skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat. (Amos 8:4-6).

But, ...thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15). God by His grace has provided a way out for the Christian in business who finds himself trapped in this captivity. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14).

God is a God of second chances. He will have mercy on those who turn from their sin and seek to serve him wholeheartedly. He says, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Those Christians in business caught in the trap of chasing riches must repent and turn to the Lord. They must produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8). They must demonstrate their wholehearted commitment to God by making restitution and restoring relationships so that God's name is no longer slandered among the unbelievers.

Fire Proof for God

In the book of Daniel, three young Jewish boys faced the ultimate test of their characters. Daniel's three friends were commanded to compromise their faith in God to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold or face death in a fiery furnace. They said, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18).

Christians in business are often faced with choices and pressures to "worship the image of gold" and compromise their Christian principles for the sake of prosperity. If they refuse to bow down to the god of mammon, they may face an uncertain future. However difficult it may be for a Christian to be in business they must take the stand that Daniel's friends did and refuse to compromise, no matter what. The Christian's first loyalty must be to God whether He saves them or not. Only then will they be sure to survive and succeed in the fiery furnace of business. Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him... (Job 13:15a).

It is a great testimony to God for the Christian in business who serves none other. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:28).

This is the attitude of wholehearted devotion that enables the Christian in business to survive the tests of character that he will encounter in business. He must be willing to do what is right no matter what the consequences. As Queen Esther put it, "...if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16b).

An Unconditional Commitment to God

To finish well in the life of faith, maintaining a strong godly character in business, Christians must have an unconditional commitment to serve God first in business. An unconditional commitment is a covenant commitment. Whether God blesses you in business or He does not bless you, you must be willing to stand for God. As with Queen Esther whether you live or die you must stand for what is right. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)

Are you willing to make a covenant commitment to God in business? Are you willing to take these principles you have been learning and unconditionally commit your self to abide by them in business? Take the covenant and make the commitment. Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they would be the Lord's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. (2 Kings 11:17).

God will hear your prayer and He will heal your land. He will do it through Christians in business who will walk in integrity of heart and uprightness all the days of their lives. "As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' (1 Kings 9:4-5).

David Livingstone had a brother named John. John’s goal in life was to make money and become wealthy. He achieved his goal but his name is forgotten. In contrast, David Livingstone resolved to "place no value on anything I have or posses unless it is in relationship to the Kingdom of God". On the day of his 59th birthday he wrote in his journal, "My Jesus, my King, my life, my All; I again dedicate my whole self to Thee."⁴The life of David Livingstone was lived in wholehearted devotion to Christ and his example continues to inspire us today.

The Conclusion of the Matter

This material has been presented to you with the hope that it will build in you godly character and business ability so that you will be truly successful in business. True success has been defined as eternal life, relationship with God and with others forever. I have presented to you twenty-one principles that will enable you to develop a strong godly character in the conduct of your business affairs. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

I have also provided thirty-six steps to success in business that will improve your ability to succeed in your business. My goal has been to encourage you in your Christian faith in business so that you will discover God's purpose for you in business and you will work to accomplish that purpose to the glory of God and to the good of your community and your nation. (Daniel 11:32)

In conclusion, This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

May God grant you true success in business!

NOTES:

1. Robert MacKenzie. David Livingstone. The Truth Behind The Legend. London: Kingsway, 1993. p. 290.

2. Ibid. p. 118.

3. George Kinoti. Hope for Africa. What the Christian can do. Nairobi: AISRED (African Institute for Scientific Research & Development), 1994. p. 31.

4. Quoted from Breakfast with Billy Graham. In Christianity Today. vol. 38. May 19, 1997. p. 36

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