Dear Brothers and Sisters, Shalom.

Welcome to tune in to the program by GLOBAL REACHOUT. I am Angelie. Starting from November this year, we have launched the "Kingdom Business Culture" program. This program is based on the workplace training course of "Christ-centered Entrepreneurship" of  GLOBAL JIREH. This course was compiled by Pastor Tony TAY Meng Hiang to help brothers and sisters live out Christ in the workplace.

In today's talk, we will learn from Deuteronomy 8:18-20, what is the purpose of business operations?

[¹⁸ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. ¹⁹ If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. ²⁰ Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.] --- Deuteronomy 8:18-20

In this episode, we have to think about a very important question: What is the purpose of the enterprise? Why do we want to do business?

Let us think back to the days of the Israelites in Egypt. As slaves, they had no freedom at the time. The object they served was Pharaoh, and Pharaoh became the master of their lives. The Lord told Moses to go and say to Pharaoh: "Let my people go, so that you can serve me." God will release them so that they will no longer be slaves and they can serve God.

Deuteronomy 8:18a tells us: "You must remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." If God does not give us the ability to acquire wealth, we will not have the ability to earn spiritual profit. The reason God gave this ability was to keep the covenant he swore to the ancestors of Israel, that is, to bless them (Deut. 8:18b). The purpose of God's wealth and wealth is to enable us to serve him. Similar to the slavery system of Egypt at that time, many people today live under slavery. Due to the lack of basic economic resources, they must engage in work that has nothing to do with their destiny in order to live. The purpose of state entrepreneurs in running businesses is to earn spiritual profits so that they and others can use their time to develop the gifts God has given to each person to serve God. The purpose of the enterprise is to serve God and no longer serve the king of the earth. In this way our work is worship. The original text of "work" is "Avodah", and the other meaning of this word is "worship."

We must have money (Treasure), so that we have time (Time) to develop and play our talent (Talent). The preachers are able to develop their full talents in response to God's calling, because there are brothers and sisters in the Lord who provide him financially. Are we striving to earn spiritual profits so that every employee in the company can get a reasonable income and they can focus on the development and display their talents in the right position in the company, in response to the calling to serve God? If financial ability permits, are we willing to use money to help others respond to their calling?

After understanding that the purpose of a business is to serve God, now we are going to talk about how we should serve God. Hebrews 12:28 says: "since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." The correct service needs are: 1. According to what is pleasing to God, that is, our service must conform to God’s will, so we need to listen to the Lord; 2. Humility, so we should obey (Obey) the God’s will; 3. Reverence, that is, we dare not to offend God, so we are willing to surrender (Surrender) to the Lord. Our ministry must integrate obedience, obey and surrender. The three functions of Christ are prophet, priest, and king. "Observing orders" is a prophetic attitude, "obeying" is a kingly behavior, and "surrendering" is a priestly disposition. When we serve God in this way, our lives can manifest the image of Christ, which is the righteousness and holiness of truth (Ephesians 4:24).

Service is to do Lord’s work. We are not working for the Lord, but doing Lord's work. Therefore, we must have a willingness to surrender, so that we can clearly distinguish what God wants us to do; after we know it, we will do it. This is serving the Lord, and the final result will glorify God. Jesus served God in this way. He said: " I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. (John 17:4)"

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 says: “¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work." Are we building with gold, silver and precious stones? Gold represents everything that comes from God, that is, God’s own work, and we participate in it with faith; silver represents salvation, Christ’s work on the cross, and we have hope in him; gems represent the work of the Holy Spirit to transform life, this fill our lives with the love of God. Are our projects built with faith, hope, and love? On that day, only service that conforms to faith, hope and love can withstand the test of fire. Only those who serve in this way can obtain an inheritance that is never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:4). Since serving is for the glory of God, not the glory of man. Then whatever we do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Col. 3:23).

May Lord enable us to run the enterprise with the right motives, so that many people will serve God and gain the heavenly inheritance.

At the end of the program, let us invite Ps. Tony TAY Meng Hiang, the founder of GLOBAL JIREH to pray for us.

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Discussion

1. What is the business purpose of your company? Is it consistent with your beliefs or conflicts? Reflected in what aspects?

2. If the purpose of a business is to serve God, how does your daily work reflect this?

3. Do you think that your use of money, time, and talent is in line with God's will?