God has given us access to divine wisdom, to Kingdom principles that can transform our lives and our businesses. The secrets of the Kingdom are available to those who seek Him first, who walk in integrity, who led by serving, and who trust in His timing.
[00:00:37] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock.
[00:00:42] The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, rightly
[00:00:49] dividing the word of truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.
[00:00:55] You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast.
[00:01:00] And now, here's Elgin.
[00:01:02] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
[00:01:09] to another edition of The Bible Speaks on Business where we explore how biblical principles
[00:01:15] apply to the world of business and entrepreneurship.
[00:01:19] And today we're going to dive into a very intriguing topic.
[00:01:25] Bishop Jackson and I are going to talk about Do You Want to Know a Secret?
[00:01:31] Our inspiration comes from Matthew 13 verse 11 where Jesus says to his disciples, You've
[00:01:40] been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven but it has not been given
[00:01:46] to them.
[00:01:48] Imagine having access to secrets, divine wisdom that could guide your decisions,
[00:01:54] shape your strategies and lead you to success.
[00:01:58] As a business leader or entrepreneur, that sounds pretty incredible, right?
[00:02:04] Well, Jesus told us that those who follow him have to be given knowledge about the secrets
[00:02:10] of the kingdom of heaven.
[00:02:12] So what does that mean for us?
[00:02:14] Especially in the world of business.
[00:02:18] Let's break this down together and explore how understanding God's wisdom can radically
[00:02:23] impact the way we approach our work, business decisions and success.
[00:02:30] When Jesus talks about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, he's referring to divine
[00:02:35] truths that are not immediately obvious to everyone.
[00:02:39] These aren't just facts or strategies we can learn from books or business seminars.
[00:02:45] Instead, these are spiritual insights that come from a deep relationship with God and
[00:02:50] from seeking his will.
[00:02:53] Proverbs 9 verse 10 tells us,
[00:02:56] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
[00:03:03] In business, many of us seek wisdom from mentors, consultants or industry experts
[00:03:09] and while those sources are valuable, the true source of wisdom is God himself.
[00:03:16] When we align our business goals and decisions with his word and seek his guidance,
[00:03:21] we tap into a deeper truth that he has made available to us.
[00:03:28] Mr. Jackson.
[00:03:30] Once again, it's a tremendous honor to be here with you.
[00:03:35] You know this topic, it just says so much and I guess we're going to unpack it today
[00:03:43] in the best way that we can.
[00:03:46] May the Lord give us understanding of it all.
[00:03:50] You know we look at that scripture and I said this on previous broadcasts that
[00:03:57] I read out of the complete Jewish Bible and that particular passage of scripture
[00:04:03] out of the complete Jewish Bible, it reads, he answered because again he was speaking to his disciples
[00:04:11] and that came to him and they asked him the question, well, you know,
[00:04:14] why do you speak into them in parables?
[00:04:18] What's that all about? All right.
[00:04:20] So his answer, because it is given has been given to you to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.
[00:04:29] But it has not been given to them.
[00:04:33] I want to just stop there for a brief moment because over the years and various types of study
[00:04:42] and listening to various people speak about heaven, there has not been a clear, clear distinction made
[00:04:56] in as many places that it could as to that there is a difference between the kingdom of God
[00:05:04] and the kingdom of heaven.
[00:05:07] So I want to establish some things on that basis.
[00:05:13] The kingdom of God is what God is, the kingdom of heaven or the heavens around us and so on that we live in.
[00:05:20] Where the kingdom of God is, it's already established, it's already a done deal.
[00:05:25] There needs nothing else, nothing to be added to it or anything whatsoever.
[00:05:29] But the kingdom of heaven where we are, and I really want my fellow business people to really grab a hold of anyone in the marketplace at all.
[00:05:41] I really want you to embrace this truth.
[00:05:45] So as we revisit that scripture, let's look at it from the perspective that it has been given to you to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.
[00:05:56] But it has not been given to them. Again, there is some type of separation, us and them.
[00:06:04] Them being followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, those that have given their lives became the disciples,
[00:06:11] the ones who allowing themselves to be transitioned by their lives and be transformed by the power of God in their lives
[00:06:20] that who have submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ as a follow-up to him,
[00:06:27] to strive to become Christlike as we learn how to yield ourselves to him.
[00:06:35] I like in this part of the scripture to the American Express card.
[00:06:39] And you know, it says don't leave home without it.
[00:06:42] You don't want to leave home without the spirit of God in your life
[00:06:46] and you definitely don't want to be in business without the spirit of God.
[00:06:49] But we have the basic Green American Express card and then you have the gold card and there's a platinum card.
[00:06:59] But there is also a black card.
[00:07:03] And it's interesting enough that you don't just automatically go through the tier levels of the cards
[00:07:11] because of the level of credit or the amount of credit that is offered to you is my understanding.
[00:07:20] And I repeat understanding that on the black card, there's no limit.
[00:07:27] And I know a couple of people who have been privileged to do that,
[00:07:31] but it's interesting to obtain one of those by invite.
[00:07:36] I just have actually held one in my hand.
[00:07:40] Okay. So the thing is, is that you want to know a secret.
[00:07:44] So what is the purpose of a secret?
[00:07:47] The secret is something that is so valuable that it would it needs to be paid strict attention to.
[00:07:58] There is something that is going to open up a way for you that you would have never gotten the opportunity until it was revealed.
[00:08:10] So even with using the cards as the analogy, you can pay your dues if you will.
[00:08:17] In other words, to make your payment every 30 days on American Express and you can go from there.
[00:08:22] But there are some restrictions.
[00:08:25] So I'm using that to say that even in God with Christ, the revelation that he used for individuals.
[00:08:33] This is why I love that he had the disciples.
[00:08:36] He would throw out some knowledge and all of a sudden it's like, wow, okay, being the parable.
[00:08:44] And he would get up and walk away.
[00:08:47] Some cases he would climb up on a mountain.
[00:08:49] Sometimes he would turn around and get in a boat and ride across.
[00:08:54] And those that sought it out, put value in it.
[00:09:04] You do what you value.
[00:09:06] You value what you do to put in the value in what was said.
[00:09:10] He followed or they followed him to find out what the revelation and it was upon that.
[00:09:17] You got access to greater things, to deeper things, to opportunities.
[00:09:25] And I'm saying this because when we're looking at areas of business,
[00:09:30] if we're going to be as the term is being, you know, the phrase being coined now marketplace ministry,
[00:09:36] we understand through previous broadcast podcast, whatever it is that we're doing at this time
[00:09:42] that our work is our worship.
[00:09:45] Our worship is our work.
[00:09:47] That's some of us are called to the ministry of business.
[00:09:51] So I'm inviting you to explore a new walk with God because I promise you there's a new challenge
[00:10:01] that faces you that you may or may not have thought about before
[00:10:06] because you were a Christian who happened to be in business.
[00:10:09] But now when you look at you being in the ministry of business,
[00:10:14] you're looking at a different type of relationship with the Lord than you had before.
[00:10:22] There's going to require greater revelation.
[00:10:26] Now you're moving from that green car possibly to the gold card and possibly to the platinum card
[00:10:31] and ultimately maybe the black card.
[00:10:34] Can you skip cards and go on?
[00:10:36] Sure.
[00:10:36] But this levels of revelation has it has to do with the preparation of you as an individual
[00:10:44] because we go on, you know, we look at that particular scripture is our Cree scripture.
[00:10:49] But it says also for anyone who something will be given more so that he will have plenty
[00:10:56] but anyone who has nothing even what he does have will be taken away.
[00:11:02] So he goes back to talk about this is why I speak to them in parables.
[00:11:06] They look without seeing and they listen without hearing or understanding great statement that's made here.
[00:11:17] Are we looking without seeing my dear colleague and I will just having that conversation.
[00:11:26] Some things are right in front of us.
[00:11:28] Yes.
[00:11:29] And we're looking at our talents or I look at that out.
[00:11:33] You know, there's other giftings or understanding the giftings and as God asked most what is in your hand and the winds of change may have come and there's a shift.
[00:11:46] But you have to be looking in the right direction to see what it is or you have to be listening and not only listening but hearing what said so that requires searching out that
[00:11:59] requires seeking out that requires doing more than the norm.
[00:12:06] And I submit to everyone today that we have entered into an era that we're going to have to pursue God as this in ways we've never done before make sacrifices in ways we've never made before.
[00:12:21] You know, as this generation says in the athletic world go hard or go home.
[00:12:26] You know, so we're in that place from a spiritual climate because there's something I believe that he's getting ready to do that will absolutely blow our mind.
[00:12:39] So yeah, I want to know a secret.
[00:12:42] You know, one of the key secrets of the kingdom that can turn that can transform your business is the principle of righteousness and integrity.
[00:12:55] Proverbs 16 and three reminds us commit your works to the Lord and your plan will be established.
[00:13:02] This isn't just a feel good verse.
[00:13:05] It's a principle that practical and powerful in business living and operating with integrity means making decisions based on God's principle, not just what will bring the quickest profit or the easiest solution.
[00:13:20] When you prioritize integrity, honesty with your clients, fairness to your employees and transparency in all dealings, you are aligning your business with the kingdom values.
[00:13:34] When your business is aligned with God's principles, you unlock his blessings and favors in ways that go far beyond what human strategies can achieve.
[00:13:44] So that is how you move from the green card to the gold card to the platinum card and the ultimate reward is a life that enriches others that brings value to others.
[00:13:59] And as we study to show ourselves approved, what we find is that God is constantly unlocking.
[00:14:06] He's constantly unlocking and that's why he is the reward of those who diligently seek him.
[00:14:14] So if he speaks to you in parables, he's doing that because he wants you to go find out what he meant.
[00:14:20] Okay, not not because he's trying to be a trickster.
[00:14:24] You know, if he puts it out there and you diligently seek the meaning not only of what he says but how it gets applied to your life, then another door gets opened because he's like, oh, I'm going to get it.
[00:14:36] Oh, figure that out. Did you? All right. Here's a little more. Here's a little more. Here's a little more.
[00:14:43] So it's a secret in terms of a treasure but not a secret from something that's being withheld.
[00:14:50] Another powerful kingdom secret is the concept of servant leadership.
[00:14:55] Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 20 and 26 whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
[00:15:04] Now this flips our traditional leadership model on his head, doesn't it?
[00:15:09] In many business settings, leadership is about power, control and making decisions top down.
[00:15:17] But the kingdom principle is different. Jesus teaches us that true leadership is about serving others, lifting up your team, empowering others and putting their needs before your own.
[00:15:30] Let me say that again. Putting their needs before your own.
[00:15:35] In the world of business, servant leadership builds trust, loyalty and respect among your employees and clients which ultimately leads to long term success.
[00:15:47] When you lead by serving, you're embodying a kingdom secret that's transformative in every area of your life including your business.
[00:15:57] Wow, that's so powerful. Sitting here meditating on that as you were speaking and what comes to my mind about this whole thing, we talked about the American Express Card which is an exclusive club.
[00:16:16] Some people go their whole lives and some have good credit and never get an American Express Card.
[00:16:23] People wonder, well how did you get one and some people make a great amount of money? Some people make less money and they get the American Express Card.
[00:16:31] Some people they just don't know, right? So whatever the algorithms are, whatever the structure is, but when we think about it, it has to do with being in that exclusive club by invite, by a covenant.
[00:16:48] I look at this whole thing of knowing secrets. The terms and conditions are set by our Father which is in heaven, the eternal one.
[00:17:06] Right, we have a few decades and we think as we used to say grown, that we got it going on and we get to a few degrees, a couple of letters before our name and after our name and we think that we've arrived at that we could sit at the table.
[00:17:24] And we miss so much. Short letters before and after our name, the accolades that we get in this life are honorable and what have you.
[00:17:35] But at the end of the day when we look at it, have we just regurgitated something that someone else has said or which can be logos versus having spoken the heart and mind of God because of the revelation that we received from him.
[00:18:06] That has a bigger purpose than what we would have speaking a logos word, which we just get us recognized by revelation gets him recognized and it makes an impact in places that we could not think about.
[00:18:23] We could ask what that scripture talks about more than you can ask or think of according to the power that works in you, that power that works in us is not just an electrical charge or having an emotional moment and we get to shake it and quake it and so on.
[00:18:42] It was always cool when the Father says it manifests his presence in certain ways and some of us get to dance around a little bit or what have you or we have certain things.
[00:18:52] But have we really explored the depth of that when it happens? Have we really explored the idea that when a sovereign God of all creation manifests himself to you speaks to you how important it is and also that is is you but it totally is not about you.
[00:19:17] I looked at another scripture in the book of Deuteronomy 29 and 29 and when we look at that particular scripture overall and it talks about things which are hidden belong to God but things that have been revealed belong to us and our children forever.
[00:19:37] So just imagine if you will that we get to God and we find out things about our present business, the future of our business, our three year projections, things of that nature and we put it before him before we introduce it to the world because he tells us to write division and make it plain.
[00:20:00] The dem that read it will run to other words in the Hebrew it means those that are running like sprinters past it will be able to read it and have clarity and know where you're going.
[00:20:13] But he has reserved the right to invade your world and speak to you because he's not going to just speak to you. He's speaking to generations beyond you and every life that your life touches.
[00:20:33] So we go on he goes on that verse eight back then we know we looked at 29 29 back in verse eight. He says therefore observe the words of this covenant and obey them so that you can make everything you do prosper.
[00:20:52] Well, listening audience. How about that?
[00:20:56] Ever can you imagine everything you do prospering now I've you can't see me but I've got both hands and both feet up in the air and saying that everything that I'm doing is not prospering at this moment.
[00:21:13] So guess what? I'm going back to have that meeting with the eternal one. A Don I LOM the great and mighty all powerful God. Yeah, I want to know a secret.
[00:21:29] A third secret of the kingdom is faith and patience.
[00:21:35] Understanding that God's timing is different from ours and success often requires endurance.
[00:21:43] Hebrew six and 12 tell tells us we do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patient inherit what has been promised in business is easy to get caught up in the need for quick results immediate profit or rapid growth.
[00:22:03] But God kingdom teaches us that lasting success often comes through patient endurance.
[00:22:11] This means trusting in God's process and his timing, even when things seem slow or uncertain.
[00:22:19] Sometimes the greatest business decisions are the ones that require us to wait, trust and keep moving forward in faith knowing that God is working behind the scenes.
[00:22:30] This patience paired with faith positions us for breakthroughs and opportunities that we could never orchestrate on our own.
[00:22:40] You know, I am a business strategist by trade and I help people do business plans and strategic plans.
[00:22:49] But all the while in the back of my mind, I'm thinking God wants us to prepare and to use our gifts to bring him glory and to move the kingdom forward.
[00:22:59] But only he knows how that's going to be done.
[00:23:03] You understand you may train for 20 years to be a doctor, but in the end he needs you to be a servant at a restaurant.
[00:23:12] Right.
[00:23:12] Totally changed what it is you thought which you thought you knew.
[00:23:18] But in his vision, he allows you to use your talents to make a living.
[00:23:24] But it's his purposes that will prevail and the longer we fight against that, the longer we move in the wrong direction.
[00:23:33] The longer we get to that point or the easier we get to the point where we're saying, well, God, what happened?
[00:23:42] I thought we was doing this thing.
[00:23:43] And we were going along all smooth and then all of a sudden things stopped.
[00:23:47] But the secret is to that is seek him, let him drive, take your hands off the wheel.
[00:23:57] So how do we access these secrets of the kingdom?
[00:24:01] It begins with seeking God first.
[00:24:04] In Matthew 6 and 33 Jesus said, but seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness.
[00:24:12] And all these things will be given to you as well.
[00:24:17] This means that in our business endeavors, we need to prioritize God's will above all else.
[00:24:25] And the last time I checked there's nothing on the other side of all before making big decisions, launching new projects
[00:24:33] or setting strategic goals, we should first go to God in prayer.
[00:24:38] Ask him to reveal his wisdom for your business.
[00:24:42] Let his word be the foundation of your business model and watch as he guides your steps in ways that lead to long lasting success.
[00:24:52] He said another powerful thing.
[00:24:56] I'm going to use that word.
[00:25:00] I'm going to piggyback off a strategy.
[00:25:02] Oftentimes when sharing with those that are connected with our work,
[00:25:11] I've oftentimes said that we must seek for the timing of God and the strategy of the Holy Spirit.
[00:25:21] The greatest strategist in all of creation because he was the one that carried out the mind of God in creation.
[00:25:32] God spoke, he created.
[00:25:35] So it's mostly amazing how that works out.
[00:25:39] And I think about the strategies of various corporations or various military.
[00:25:46] And we look at the Old Testament was a great example for us before they went to war,
[00:25:53] before they invaded any land.
[00:25:55] They sought the face of God and they asked him and he would either say to them, you are well able to take this land.
[00:26:07] Then the strategy came as to how to take the land and he would tell them either to destroy everything and take the spoils of the land.
[00:26:19] Or because the unclean thing was there, the spoils.
[00:26:27] He would say destroy everything.
[00:26:29] Do not touch the spoils because you cannot bring that which is unholy to that which is unholy.
[00:26:37] He wasn't going to accept it.
[00:26:40] And we look at the strategies of how, you know, I think it was Jacob when the separation of the cattle and the spotted cows and so on.
[00:26:52] One story after story, you know, Joseph's story, we can go through all the Old Testament about amazing things that God has shown us.
[00:27:02] And my wife and I were enjoying a film on the other night.
[00:27:06] And it was an interesting story.
[00:27:08] It was an individual who rose up, he got multiple MBAs, a master's actually one MBA.
[00:27:18] And he rose up in the company as a younger man and got towards partnership, did something.
[00:27:27] He was in control of the bonds.
[00:27:28] And something happened and made the company an amazing amount of money.
[00:27:34] And everyone was celebrating and he was invited to come into the parties and celebrate him this great big win.
[00:27:42] And it was like, wow, thinking that he has given his all.
[00:27:47] I'm talking to someone today.
[00:27:49] You have given your all everything all the down you reached out to the bottom of your boots and you have given it all.
[00:27:58] And he walked in and he sat down with the partners and they looked at him and they were constantly just singing his praise.
[00:28:07] Then all kind of accolades and he's smiling.
[00:28:11] He's thinking had a big house and fabulous cars.
[00:28:15] His wife was happy and they fired him.
[00:28:21] He said, what?
[00:28:23] He said, we have to let you go.
[00:28:26] He said, huh?
[00:28:29] They had a strategy that to use his gift and to bring them to the place that they need to be.
[00:28:38] But because although it was legal, what he did, it was an ethical what he did.
[00:28:49] And they wanted to distance themselves.
[00:28:52] They took the spoils, but they wanted to distance themselves from him.
[00:28:57] This way, if there's any backlash coming, they could say we didn't know anything about it.
[00:29:03] And when we found out about it, we dealt with it immediately.
[00:29:07] He's no longer in our company.
[00:29:10] And down he went down.
[00:29:13] He went.
[00:29:13] He had to go home to tell his wife.
[00:29:17] He lost his job and his father was a business owner.
[00:29:21] His grandfather was a business.
[00:29:22] So he was the entrepreneurial spirit was generational and he had made up in his mind.
[00:29:30] He wasn't going to take any money from his father or from his grandfather that he was going to make it on his own, but he had no idea how he was going to do it.
[00:29:40] And there was this breakfast spot he saw.
[00:29:44] No one would hire him because of his resume.
[00:29:48] They knew that he just like, look, you're not going to work for us.
[00:29:51] You just want to get back up on your feet and do something.
[00:29:53] And you're going to go back to the place where you already were.
[00:29:58] And they didn't understand the volume of who he actually was and the fact that where he was down, it was so difficult.
[00:30:06] He was ready to take anything and he took the job.
[00:30:09] Someone hired him at the restaurant and they had him clean in toilets.
[00:30:13] A man with multiple master degrees.
[00:30:16] A man who handled the bonds.
[00:30:20] And time went on.
[00:30:23] They were laughing at him and different ones that made him do the most disgusting of things.
[00:30:29] The long story made short.
[00:30:32] I saw God in that.
[00:30:35] The plan you may have fallen from a great place as you believe, but God had a strategy.
[00:30:41] There's a secret because he brought him down and showed him himself in ways he never knew about himself.
[00:30:48] And ultimately a new him was evolved through this and put him in a new position where as he was going to end up buying companies and building certain things.
[00:31:00] He was buying the franchises and so on connected with that because of his business background and training.
[00:31:07] He was able to put the entire organization of position that they have never been.
[00:31:12] So yeah, we don't know the mind of God, the secrets of God, but it's for those who will search them out.
[00:31:21] Won't you do that today?
[00:31:24] Yes, yes.
[00:31:26] So do you want to know a secret?
[00:31:30] It's not hidden from you.
[00:31:32] God has given us access to divine wisdom.
[00:31:35] To kingdom principles that can transform our lives and our businesses.
[00:31:40] The secrets of the kingdom are available to those who seek him first, who walk in integrity, who lead by serving and who trust in his timing.
[00:31:53] As you go about your business week, remember that the greatest wisdom doesn't come from the world's sister.
[00:32:01] It comes from the one who created all systems.
[00:32:05] Let his secrets guide you and watch as he leads you into success that's rooted in his kingdom.
[00:32:13] I thank you for joining us on today and we look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.
[00:32:20] Until then, God bless.
[00:32:39] Anything you've heard poured into your life, please share it with someone.
[00:32:45] You can find the Bible Speaks on Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and many more.
[00:32:54] Follow us on YouTube at the Bible Speaks online.
[00:32:58] You may contact Elgin at PO Box 5582 or Calla, Florida 34478
[00:33:09] Or by email at thebiblespeaksonline at gmail.com