The Bible Speaks on Business - "Faith, Foolishness, or Presumption: The Life Cycle of Business"

[00:00:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock.

[00:00:42] [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, rightly

[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: dividing the Word of Truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.

[00:00:55] [SPEAKER_00]: You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast.

[00:01:00] [SPEAKER_00]: And now here's Elgin.

[00:01:02] [SPEAKER_01]: Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus the Christ,

[00:01:08] [SPEAKER_01]: to another edition of The Bible Speaks on Business, where we explore how biblical principles

[00:01:14] [SPEAKER_01]: can guide us through the challenges of modern marketplace.

[00:01:19] [SPEAKER_01]: Today, I want to discuss the fine line we all walk as entrepreneurs and business leaders.

[00:01:27] [SPEAKER_01]: Our topic is faith, foolishness, or presumption.

[00:01:34] [SPEAKER_01]: The Life Cycle of Business.

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_01]: Our inspiration comes from Ecclesiastes 9, verse 10, and reading from the New Living

[00:01:44] [SPEAKER_01]: Translation it reads,

[00:02:01] [SPEAKER_01]: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that life is fleeting, and whatever task we commit

[00:02:08] [SPEAKER_01]: to, whether in business, family, or in life, we should give it our all.

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_01]: But when we talk about giving it our all, what does that mean in the context of business?

[00:02:21] [SPEAKER_01]: And how do we navigate the tension between stepping out in faith, avoiding foolishness,

[00:02:28] [SPEAKER_01]: and not falling into the trap of presumption?

[00:02:33] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith is the foundation of any successful business venture.

[00:02:37] [SPEAKER_01]: But here's the thing.

[00:02:39] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith isn't about taking blind risk or leaping into the unknown without preparation.

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith in the context of business is about trusting God's guidance while doing the work.

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_01]: He's called us to do it with diligence.

[00:02:55] [SPEAKER_01]: Hebrews 11 and 1 defines faith as confidence in what we hope for, and assurance about what we do not see.

[00:03:05] [SPEAKER_01]: When you start a business or take it to the next level, you're stepping into the unknown.

[00:03:12] [SPEAKER_01]: But that step is grounded in the belief that God is directing your path.

[00:03:17] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith means seeking God's will for your business, and trusting that he will open doors or redirect you

[00:03:24] [SPEAKER_01]: when needed.

[00:03:26] [SPEAKER_01]: But faith also means action.

[00:03:29] [SPEAKER_01]: This is where Ecclesiastes 9-10 comes in.

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_01]: Whatever tasks come your way to do, do it with all your strength.

[00:03:38] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith without works is dead, and in business, faith means putting in the time, effort, and

[00:03:45] [SPEAKER_01]: planning required to see your vision come to life.

[00:03:51] [SPEAKER_01]: Now on the flip side of faith is foolishness.

[00:03:54] [SPEAKER_01]: Foolishness is when we act without wisdom, without preparation, and without seeking God's guidance.

[00:04:02] [SPEAKER_01]: Sometimes people confuse impulsive decisions with faith.

[00:04:07] [SPEAKER_01]: They think that if they jump into something, God will automatically make it successful because

[00:04:13] [SPEAKER_01]: they have faith.

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_01]: But the Bible warns us about the dangers of foolishness.

[00:04:20] [SPEAKER_01]: Proverbs 19 and 2 says,

[00:04:23] [SPEAKER_01]: Desire without knowledge is not good.

[00:04:26] [SPEAKER_01]: How much more will hasty feet miss the way?

[00:04:31] [SPEAKER_01]: Foolishness in business might look like starting a venture without doing any research,

[00:04:36] [SPEAKER_01]: ignoring counsel, or assuming that everything will work out just because you have good intentions.

[00:04:44] [SPEAKER_01]: Ecclesiastes 9 and 10 reminds us that we need to put all our strength and effort into whatever

[00:04:50] [SPEAKER_01]: tasks we take on.

[00:04:53] [SPEAKER_01]: This means using the wisdom God has given us to plan, research, and seek counsel.

[00:05:00] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith and diligence go hand in hand.

[00:05:03] [SPEAKER_01]: Acting without thought or preparation isn't faith, it's foolishness, and it often leads to failure.

[00:05:12] [SPEAKER_01]: Finally, there's presumption, which can be just as dangerous as foolishness.

[00:05:19] [SPEAKER_01]: Presumption is when we overestimate our abilities or assume God's blessing without putting in

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_01]: necessary work.

[00:05:27] [SPEAKER_01]: It's the attitude of assuming that success is guaranteed, regardless of whether we've done

[00:05:33] [SPEAKER_01]: the work, because we feel entitled to it.

[00:05:37] [SPEAKER_01]: James 4 verses 13 through 15 addresses this mindset and it reads,

[00:05:45] [SPEAKER_01]: Now listen, you who say,

[00:05:48] [SPEAKER_01]: Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business,

[00:05:55] [SPEAKER_01]: and make money.

[00:05:56] [SPEAKER_01]: Why?

[00:05:58] [SPEAKER_01]: You don't even know what will happen tomorrow.

[00:06:01] [SPEAKER_01]: Instead, you ought to say, If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.

[00:06:09] [SPEAKER_01]: Presumption often leads to us making plans without consulting God,

[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_01]: or considering the complexities of life.

[00:06:17] [SPEAKER_01]: In business, this might look like making bold, unchecked assumptions about future

[00:06:22] [SPEAKER_01]: profits or believing that hard times will never come.

[00:06:26] [SPEAKER_01]: It's essential to recognize that while we work hard and trust God, the outcome is always in

[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_01]: His hands, not ours.

[00:06:36] [SPEAKER_01]: Ecclesiastes 9 and 10 teaches us to give everything our full effort, but it also

[00:06:43] [SPEAKER_01]: reminds us that we can't control everything.

[00:06:46] [SPEAKER_01]: There's a balance between diligence and surrender.

[00:06:50] [SPEAKER_01]: Presumption leads us to believe we're in control, while faith acknowledges that God is in control.

[00:06:58] [SPEAKER_01]: So how do we strike the balance between faith, foolishness and presumption in the life cycle of

[00:07:04] [SPEAKER_01]: our businesses?

[00:07:06] [SPEAKER_01]: It comes down to being diligent, seeking wisdom, and trusting God.

[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_01]: Ecclesiastes 9 and 10 reminds us to give our best effort in everything we do.

[00:07:19] [SPEAKER_01]: It calls us to diligence, to planning, to hard work.

[00:07:24] [SPEAKER_01]: But it also is a reminder that we are not in control of the outcome.

[00:07:29] [SPEAKER_01]: God is.

[00:07:31] [SPEAKER_01]: This balance allows us to operate with wisdom, trusting that if we do the work

[00:07:36] [SPEAKER_01]: and follow God's leading, we will reap a harvest in due time.

[00:07:42] [SPEAKER_01]: Faith means trusting God, but it also means doing the work.

[00:07:47] [SPEAKER_01]: Foolishness happens when we act without wisdom, and presumption occurs when we assume success

[00:07:53] [SPEAKER_01]: without diligence.

[00:07:55] [SPEAKER_01]: The life cycle of business is filled with challenges, but when we remain faithful and wise,

[00:08:02] [SPEAKER_01]: we position ourselves for God's blessings.

[00:08:07] [SPEAKER_01]: As you reflect on today's conversation, ask yourself, where am I on this journey?

[00:08:14] [SPEAKER_01]: Am I operating in faith, trusting God and doing the work?

[00:08:19] [SPEAKER_01]: Am I acting foolishly by rushing ahead without planning or wisdom?

[00:08:24] [SPEAKER_01]: Or am I falling into presumption, expecting results without the necessary effort?

[00:08:32] [SPEAKER_01]: Wherever you are, remember that God has given you the strength,

[00:08:36] [SPEAKER_01]: wisdom and peace to navigate this journey.

[00:08:40] [SPEAKER_01]: Just as Ecclesiastes 9 and 10 reminds us,

[00:08:43] [SPEAKER_01]: whatever task you have, do it with all your might.

[00:08:48] [SPEAKER_01]: Trust that if you do, God will take care of the outcome.

[00:08:54] [SPEAKER_01]: Brothers and sisters, I thank you for joining me on today,

[00:08:58] [SPEAKER_01]: and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.

[00:09:02] [SPEAKER_01]: Until then, God bless.

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