What can an honest person do when everything crumbles? [Contemporary English Version]

A man’s foundation is critical to his existence. Business must founded on firm foundations that will stand the test of time. For purposes of definition, business is any activity in which men engage for a reward. Even those who hold jobs are in business since they trade their hours for money offered as a salary.

If we adapt this mindset, it is logical to assume that all money obtained at work is quantified in hours of time given to that activity and therefore is a measure of ones life. To struggle with giving back to God some of the money earned from the life He has given to us can be described as “prodigal-ness”.

God created us with an overall mission and we should all strive to ensure that our generation is glad that we showed up and that we had an impact on society. It was noted that there are many who live today who live insignificant lives, even within the communities within which they reside. It is important that we are all empowered financially because that will allow us to have a voice/platform through which we can authoritatively address the world and offer it wisdom and direction.

1 Tim 5:8

“People [men] who don’t take care of their relatives and especially their own families have given up their faith. They are worse than unbelievers.” [Contemporary English Version]

Men are the heads of their homes. Competently providing for the family allows men to enjoy this privilege of leading without disputes and needless questioning of authority that is likely to arise in cases when he is unable to do this. It was noted after this comment that immediately after the fall 2 things happened:

1)      God stopped providing wives for men and all are supposed to find wives for themselves – in this way no man can blame God for his marital predicaments

2)      God stopped making grown up people – even Jesus had to be born as a baby and grow up just like anyone else. This should put to rest all claims of “miracle babies” that appear during crusades.

Mission is defined as God’s Kingdom, God’s agenda. It should be noted that God is in business [Gen 12:1] and that it’s God’s plan for our lives that we should prosper.

Work is a critical function of life [and not toil as many have come to view it] and it enhances peoples dignity. We should, as business people driving God’s agenda strive to build businesses that create meaningful employment for as many people as possible. It was observed that there are countries where people as old as 85 years old are still hard at work and show a great deal of health, vitality and purpose in life when compared with Kenya’s retired population in the rural areas. However, it was noted that you cannot eat meat like a lion and still expect to reach 100 years of age in good condition.

It was observed that when Adam fell he lost dominion. Jesus came later to restore the original plan and to give humanity redemption, which entails:

• Salvation – being reconnected to God. This should be reflected by our deeds/lifestyle
• A right to good health [Isaiah 53:5]
• A right to prosperity [2 Cor8:9]

In this case, disease was defined as being in a state of dis ease i.e. where the party in question is uneasy for reasons that may vary from ill health to worries about landlords etc. Prosperity was defined as being with more than enough for ones current needs.

An exercise was conducted where the members were asked to exchange objects e.g. pens, phones etc. This revealed that the giving hand always ends up on top, which is a kingdom principle that givers always end up on top. Examples include Isaac who was so blessed that the Philistines envied / feared him, Joseph who was so favored that he was appointed a prime minister in a foreign country [the example was given of this country in which people have difficultly accepting a prime minister from our own country; how much harder would it be for us to accept one from Somalia?] etc

Why will God bless us?

• Because giving is living. When we stop giving, we decay and finally die. The example of the Dead Sea was given. It is the only water body that has only inlets without any outlets and hence its inability to sustain life.
• So that we are not driven only by our stomachs. God’s agenda is much bigger than our stomachs.
• So that we can give according to our size. Elephants excrete a much greater volume than cats due to what they take in. So it is with giving. The more God gives us the more we should give out.
• Because there is a covenant life that backs up a giving life.
• Because it is in accordance to kingdom principles; tithe is 10% of all increase which entitles you to open heavens [Mal 3:10]. Offering is what you give when the heavens have been opened to you. It was clarified that you pay tithe [the same way you do for taxes] and give offering.
• That tithes and offerings allow God to rebuke the devourer in our lives, allowing us to live calamity free lives.

Why will God bless us? Two reasons to consider:

1)     So that we become a blessing

• God does not have a problem with giving us wealth so long as we maintain the right attitude to it and to giving. We must always focus on His Kingdom and His agenda. If we do this crisis, [even what the world is facing right now] is not a reality. As a matter of fact, the financial disasters that prevail are the perfect opportunity for Christians to shine and invest. In this way, we will be light in the current darkness and become effective ministers of God’s word.
• What we speak with our lips will reflect in our lives. We must keep away from negative speak proclaim what we believe to be true according to God. We must live guided by God’s covenant with us.
• Job 21:9- shows what Job did with his money i.e. taking care of the poor etc. and how people treated him because he was wealthy and wise in his dealings. We should seek to enable more children to go to school, stand as representatives of God for fatherless children / widows etc and for this reason we shall receive favour from God, as He will keep His word as we keep His arrangement.

2 )For His Kingdoms sake

• 1 Kings 3:1 shows how Solomon loved the Lord; he walked according to God’s statutes, lived a sacrificial life and then received favour from God in terms of wisdom and wealth.

Now that we know these things, how will our lives change? How will we change the way we do business? How will we change the way we give? Weigh, consider and act.

MBD Meeting with Anthony Wahome of Linksoft Systems.
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