The Bible Speaks - Words of Inspiration - Partnering with God

[00:00:00] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:07] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun

[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees

[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock

[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International

[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's word

[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast

[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin

[00:00:46] I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears

[00:00:53] Psalm 34, verse 4

[00:00:57] President Sisters, I welcome you in the mighty and matchless name of our risen Savior Jesus to Christ

[00:01:05] To another edition of Words of Inspiration

[00:01:10] And today we are going to be discussing partnering with God

[00:01:17] Our scriptural inspiration comes from Colossians 3, verses 23 through 24

[00:01:26] Which reads, Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men

[00:01:34] Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward

[00:01:39] You are serving the Lord Christ

[00:01:43] We often think about bringing the Lord into our personal and spiritual lives

[00:01:48] But do we bring Him into our businesses?

[00:01:53] Integrity is a fundamental expectation for Christians

[00:01:57] And this extends explicitly into the marketplace

[00:02:02] Proverbs 11 and 1 says, A false balance is an abomination to the Lord

[00:02:09] But a just weight is His delight

[00:02:13] This principle of fairness and honesty in business dealings protects Christians from the temptation of unethical practices such as lying, cheating or stealing

[00:02:24] Which are often rationalized in competitive business environments

[00:02:30] The first consideration of partnering with God in your business is to ask yourself if your actions align with God's expectations

[00:02:40] Have you set boundaries and standards that reflect honesty, integrity and fairness?

[00:02:48] We live in a free market economy with capitalist underpinnings which can easily lead to treat others any way that results in more money

[00:02:59] But is that of God?

[00:03:01] Leviticus 19 verse 13 tells us, You shall not defraud your neighbor

[00:03:08] You shall not steal and you shall not keep yourself the wages of a labor unto more

[00:03:14] This command highlights the importance of treating employees and colleagues fairly

[00:03:20] Ensuring that they are paid justly and on time

[00:03:25] This ethical stance in business relationships reflects God's justice and love, setting Christians apart in the business world

[00:03:33] 1 Peter 2 verse 12 suggests, Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable so that when they speak against you as evildoers

[00:03:45] They may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation

[00:03:51] Christians in the marketplace have a unique platform to witness to non-believers

[00:03:57] Not just through words, but significantly through their behavior

[00:04:02] Ethical conduct combined with a compassionate and respectful demeanor can have a profound impact on coworkers and customers

[00:04:12] Drawing attention to the difference Christ makes in your life

[00:04:16] In a culture that often equates success with monetary gain and professional achievement

[00:04:25] Matthew 6 and 24 serves as a caution

[00:04:30] It reads, No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money

[00:04:36] Christians are reminded to maintain spiritual priorities and not let the pursuit of economic success overshadow their commitment to God

[00:04:46] And their spiritual and moral values

[00:04:50] I'm not saying you should not want to build wealth for your family, but it cannot exceed your desire to please God

[00:04:58] In fact, Proverbs 13 verse 22, reading from the New International Version reads

[00:05:06] A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children

[00:05:11] But a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous

[00:05:15] Titus 2 verses 7 through 8 encourages believers to show themselves in all respects to be a model of good works

[00:05:27] And in their teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech

[00:05:33] This balance of personal and professional life where one's Christian values permeates business practices exemplifies how faith influences all areas of life

[00:05:46] Another great reason to have God as your business partner is wisdom

[00:05:51] God's wisdom and discernment are invaluable assets for believers in the business realm

[00:05:58] Offering a foundation for making ethical decisions and navigating complex challenges with integrity

[00:06:07] When believers seek God's wisdom, as advised in James 1 verse 5

[00:06:13] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given him

[00:06:22] They receive guidance that surpasses conventional business strategies

[00:06:27] This divine wisdom enables us to foresee potential issues make prudent decisions that benefit not only our businesses but also our employees and customers

[00:06:40] And maintain a long-term perspective that prioritizes ethical success over quick gains

[00:06:48] Furthermore, discernment, a gift of the Holy Spirit helps believers differentiate between right and wrong choices

[00:06:57] Guiding them in maintaining our testimony in a competitive, often cutthroat marketplace

[00:07:05] Brothers and sisters, the Bible provides comprehensive guidance for Christians in the marketplace

[00:07:11] Stressing the importance of integrity, ethical behavior, fair treatment of others and the opportunity to witness through one's conduct

[00:07:21] These principles help believers navigate the complexities of the business world while upholding their faith and impacting the workplace positively for Christ

[00:07:32] Brothers and sisters, once again I thank you for spending this time with me

[00:07:38] I pray that you will have a restful and peaceful weekend and I look forward to speaking with you next week

[00:07:46] And until then, God bless

[00:08:05] The Holy Spirit helps to keep the good news on the air

[00:08:08] We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at Harvest International, Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:08:19] Again, that's Harvest International, Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:08:35] I hope never running