Jesus states; If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?[1]
Paul, under compulsion adds; So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.[2]
Finally Oswald Chambers explains; God created man to be master of the life in the earth and sea and sky, and the reason he is not is because he took the law into his own hands, and became master of himself, but of nothing else.
The above statements are words that every B4Ter needs to take to heart. Though many things are helpful in our striving to work out our salvation[3] yet our live and work (B4T) is not about us. We are not seeking to master EV or CP strategies, nor are we striving to apply better business practices so as to succeed at some task. And we certainly are not in business solely to make money just as we are not in business solely to tell people about Jesus. We are in business for one and only one reason – the Master told us to be in business.
Once we believe we are truly working for Jesus and that our life and work is truly His, then all things come together for His glory. Note the difference. I am not saying all things will come together for our glory, or our success, or our well-being. Glory, success and well-being as I read the Scriptures are centered on Jesus, not me. So if myself and my business is dead to me and alive to Him, issues like contextualization, security, P/L statements, EV, CP, even business strategies are no longer front and center because we are focused on running the business as He wants it run.
Whatever decisions you are wrestling with, seek first His Kingdom, by mastering the art of losing. So if you want to win at B4T, you begin by first learning to lose – losing yourself in Jesus.
[1]Luke 9:23-25
[2]Romans 6:11
[3]Philippians 2:12
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.