MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

BUSINESS FROM A BIBLICAL WORLD-VIEW

Today, we're shifting topics in our study of World-View: We're going to try and find out what God has to say about business.

At first, this topic sort of seems like an easy one to discuss. I mean, who doesn't partake in business multiple times a day right? We buy from various companies over the internet, buy food at the grocery store, pay for "meals" at McDonalds, put gas in our cars and on and on it goes. We participate in business, because we are busy. Everything we watch on television is funded by companies wooing us to do business with them. We drive down the freeway, billboards and signs are everywhere seeking to give us just the right incentive to go with them, rather than the other guy! Billions of dollars are spent every year just studying how we, the consumers, make our decisions to buy products.

Is there even a need for the Bible to speak to us on this issue? Doesn't business just naturally work itself out? Not exactly Ayn Rand... The issue is an issue of stewardship, both for the business owner, and the consumer. What responsibility does the Christian business person have? What responsibility does the Christian customer have? To be a Christian in business does not mean having a business card with a Jesus fish on it; it does not just mean playing Air 1 or K-WAVE in your office. Being a Christian in business means you strive to create and sell a great product; it means working hard for the benefit of others; it means you're honest and ethical; it means you do it all for the glory of God; it then means making a profit.

For the consumer, it means thinking about what products you support; it means being wise with what we buy; it means being generous towards the Lord for the benefit of others, but skimpy toward yourself and the benefit of yourself!

We'll spend the next few days fleshing this out. Tomorrow, we'll look at a business' primary responsibility....

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....