ADVANCING GOD'S KINGDOM THROUGH COMMITMENT TO YOUR BUSINESS

MINISTERING: PASTOR EBENEZER OKECHUKWU
TOPIC: ADVANCING GOD'S KINGDOM THROUGH COMMITMENT TO YOUR BUSINESS
TEXT: 2 KINGS 7:1-7 (KJV)
The passage we read is a familiar story of a widow whose husband happens to be one of the sons of the prophet who died. This woman was in debt and the creditor came after her two sons. The creditor wanted to take her two sons for slaves. That's why God is not in support of debt. When a man accumulates debt today, he jeopardizes the future. This woman quickly ran to the man of God –Elisha. The man of God didn’t command money to appear. There is something miracle can do for you, and there is something diligent business will do for you. God always want to do more for us than we are asking for. Business is beautiful. Christian can be involved in businesses. Not just can, but should be and must be involved in businesses.
Why should Christians get involved in businesses?
1. For the purpose of creating wealth. Wealth creation is biblical. Money making is a righteous venture (Deut. 8:18). If making wealth is a sin, God wouldn’t be giving us the power to create wealth. It is not making money that is a sin; it is what you want to do with the money that makes it evil. Money is not evil; it is people who do evil things with money. Business is for the purpose of creating wealth that is used for the advancement of the kingdom.
2. In order to provide service to the people. The reason God has kept us here is to provide service to people. Business is for the purpose of serving men. Schools exist for the purpose of serving people. Oil businesses provide services to people. God has created Christians to serve. We actually serve God as we serve people. The service rendered unto man with integrity and excellence is service rendered unto God. It is business that gives us the privilege of service.
3. In order to set standard for the world on how to do business. We go into business as Christians to let the world know how to do it the way God wants it to be done. God has called us to have dominion in all realms and spheres of life. We are to bring every sphere of human endeavor under the influence of Christ. That's how we advance the kingdom of God. And it is not only in church we are called to have dominion. It is the earth that God has called us to have dominion. We do business so that we can influence the market place for Christ. We go into business so we can teach the world that everything is not about amassing wealth, but to care about the eternal destiny of people.
Biblical principles for doing businesses
1. Start business with what you have. Elisha asked this woman two questions. First, what shall I do for you, and secondly, what do you have in your house. Do you realize that what you are concluding is nothing can limit your explosion in business? There is something you have that can start business for you. To begin with, you have the oil of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is a deposit that we can use to create businesses. That anointing can give you ideas. There is something you have, and it is your responsibility to discover it. When you find it, start with it.
2. Go for specialization. Don't be a jack of all trade and master of none. You cannot do everything, but there is something you can do exceptionally. And God in His wisdom has made available for you the talents that you can use to start a business. Don't frustrate yourself by copying others. What do you have? Discover it. Go to work and specialize and then you will see yourself excelling in that business.
3. You need a large vision (Eph. 3:20). There is no limit to what God can do for you. You can either be limited by your faith, obedience or vision. These are the forces that determine how far you go in business. You need to imagine your business spreading round the world. This limited this woman. Elisha told the woman not to borrow few vessels. The woman went and borrowed vessels. But why the oil still remained, there was no vessel again. And then the oil stopped. Your blessing stops where your obedience stops. Your blessing stops where your vision stops. Your blessing stops where your faith stops. If you want to excel in business, you must determine to do it with absolute obedience to God's word. You cannot excel in business by neglecting any Christian value (Ps. 133). Enlarge your vision!
4. Build up your network of relationships. Your net worth will be determined by your network. How much wealth you can create through your business can be determined by the number of people who love you, trust you and associate with you. How do you build relationships?
a. Respect people. Respect them for not just what they have. Respect them for who they are. Every human being deserves to be respected. When you respect people, you will be polite to them. People like to go where they are respected.
b. Add value to people's life. Let it be that when God brings people into your life, you will add value to them. It doesn’t necessarily mean you should give money to them. Kind words can add value to them. Elisha told to the woman to borrow vessels from her neighbor. In other words, her blessing will be limited by the number of neighbors she had good relationship with. This is to help us know the place of relationships in the advancement of our businesses.
As a Christian business man or woman, the purpose of establishing business is to draw people to God and advance His kingdom. The purpose of our business is to establish the dominion of God in the business world.
Prayer points
1. Father! I thank you for this message in Jesus name.
2. Lord! Show me my own pot of oil that I can start business with in Jesus name.
3. Father! Cause me to excel in my business in Jesus name