FOUR-FOLD MINISTRY OF BUSINESS

FOUR-FOLD MINISTRY OF BUSINESS The world view says “the single purpose of business is profit.” With profit we grow our company, expand our business and will remain there from generation to generation.

However, that’s not the Lord’s purpose with our business.

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19: 13) Business is not separated from His purpose on earth, and therefore, as business people we have to understand this, since otherwise we will end with disappointment and regret.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6: 33) The purpose and meaning of business set by the Lord are called four-fold ministry: 1. To glorify the Lord. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” (Proverbs 3:9).The Lord blessed us with business for us to glorify Him in and through our business. Anyone who is doing business with us should know that we are glorifying the Lord. To bless His church financially through our business is one way of glorifying Him. 2. To extend His Kingdom on earth. By practicing, introducing and transferring our Biblical principles of business and integrity, we extend His Kingdom on earth. People will know from our righteous conduct when dealing business with us (Psalms 1: 1 – 3) 3. To bring people to Jesus. Business is borderless. In practice, you have no barrier in doing business with anyone; believers and non-believers. You can draw people to Jesus; the owner or single majority shareholder of your company. It is much easier to proclaim the Kingdom of God in and through our business. “And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10: 7) 4. To bless the poor. We are asked to bless those who are poor. Matthew 25: 31 - 46 clearly show us the accountability the Lord will demand from each of us what we are doing for the poor and needy while we lived on earth. The most logic to understand those who can do this is business people who prospered through their business blessed by the Lord.

Each of us is given an opportunity, responsibility and talent to do our business and we have to face the Lord when He returns over what we are doing with the business he gave each one of us.

The world may think only for temporary period of time on earth, but we know very sure our live is not finished when we end our live on earth. There is an eternal live.

Our righteous conduct with our business will determine where we will spend our eternity, here: “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. “(Matthew 25: 21) Or there: “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25: 26 – 30) Jakarta, 9 July 2010 Eliezer H. Hardjo Ph.D., CM. www.heavenspring.com