by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

A business is an organization where people work together. In a business, people work to make and sell products or services. Narrowly defined, it’s a person’s regular occupation, profession or trade. A business can earn a profit for the products and services it offers, providing income for day-to-day living and more.

Times like this, with the collapse of the economy in most countries, demand one to re-evaluate the ‘why work’ and the ‘why business’? I was brought face to face with answering this when a friend sought counsel on an opportunity that would require significant financial outlay and a measure of debt. With no one having the power of tomorrow other than the eternal God, I had to resort to Him for counsel. Here’s the outline of the whisperings of the Spirit:

  • 2 Thess. 3:10, building upon Proverbs 14:23 and capping it with Paul’s testimony in Acts 20:34 outline very clearly that God requires each of us to work (He put Adam in the garden…);
  • As Adam was acting as a regent (acting on the behalf of the KING), so every man who is of God must carry this same principle into whatever work or business being done. If this is not clearly understood one can fall prey to James 4:3, and God will have absolutely no obligation to mitigate risks associated to your business; and
  • Then asking what are you taking the risks of business for? Acts 15:25, 26 and 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 are eye openers as to what counts before God for assuming any risk at all!

Except your purpose for business falls within the boundaries of providing for your basic Needs (1 Timothy 6:8-10), and making Christ known, don’t deceive yourself. When your commitment is provably situated within these boundary conditions, don’t let any fear cause you to pull back from making Christ known. Matthew 5:45 speaks to the former boundary condition while His Spirit will always make a way regarding the latter (Acts 1:8 and Romans 1:16). Finally if you have this focus, you will run your own race according to God’s timing without making any man the standard of measure.

Trust in the Lord and do good.
    Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you your heart’s desires.

 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
    Trust him, and he will help you.
 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
    and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:3-7 (NLT). Shalom.

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash