In Business with God

         Business is an honorable word. Everyone must have a business, occupation, job or responsibility. That is what the word means. See, it is an honorable word.

         Sometimes people forget that their “business” is a way for them to put their talents to the best use while taking care of the material needs of their family. They make “business” top priority.

         I guess you wonder what I mean? Remember Adam? His business was taking care of the animals and of the Garden. It was a good job. Everything grew just right. The animals were his friends and worked with him to keep everything in order.

         Adam had a partner. Adam and his partner would meet at a specific time to discuss how things were growing and what changes needed to be made. Adam’s business partner was God and the Garden of Eden was a great success until Adam forgot his priorities.

         Now let me tell you about another businessman.

         In Nazareth there was a carpenter shop. It was a family affair. Joseph & Sons was a respected business that put out good work on a timely basis. Mr. Joseph had several sons, so it looked like the business would continue to prosper. Then Mr. Joseph died and his boys were left to run the shop.

         The oldest, Jesus, was a natural, and, just like Adam, His partner was God. Things were really humming. Business was good. Joseph & Sons was probably taking orders from all over Galilee. Jesus knew the best wood. He could talk to anyone. When He was in the shop, the tools seemed to plane the wood to a satin smoothness with no effort from the Joseph brothers, or perhaps the effort was so much fun it didn’t seem like work.

         Jesus spent as much time as He could teaching His brothers everything Joseph had taught Him. James would argue and say, “But Jesus, you can talk to those people better than me. You could sell those housewives a new chair every day. The farmers like to come in and talk to you about the crops. You could easily sell them more plows if you tried.”

         Jesus would laugh and say, “But my Father taught me to work with them and give them the best product for their needs. I can’t take advantage of their trust. Joseph wouldn’t want us to do that.” Sometimes the brothers would grumble and someone would mutter under his breath “Well, that’s just business.”

         Then one evening Jesus laid down His tools and looked toward the red sky. He smiled at His brothers, hugged each one and said, “Tomorrow I am going to hear our cousin, John preach. I won’t be back for quite a while.”

         “Is he going to baptize you?” joked a little brother. The answer was “yes.”

         Jesus did not return to the carpenter shop. He had taught His brothers everything they needed to know, and they would have to continue until His return.

         For 40 days and nights, He attended a learning convention with his Business Partner. I guess they spent the time discussing The Plan. But maybe (I think so) Jesus always knew He had a different destiny than His brothers. If not, I am sure His Senior Partner, God, made it clear to Him what was coming.

         A rival had been spying on the “God & Son” partnership. As soon as he thought he could sneak in, Lucifer started making offers. “Quit that firm, there isn’t anything for you there. It’s all sacrifice and no fun. Forget the straight and narrow. Whoever heard of doing business that way?”

         Jesus called fun “joy,” and He has told me that working in partnership with our Father brings satisfaction other firms can’t touch. He has laughed and said that the ones who choose any path other than the straight and narrow usually have a wreck or never reach the goal.

         See what I mean? The right business, with the right partner is full of success, any other way is failure — money or not!

         Friends, do you want a pattern for success? Look at that young man, Jesus. His voice, His manner and His magnetism called forth the best of His companions. The secret is to choose a worthwhile goal and then pursue it with all sincerity and faith.

         Jesus’ family came to hear Him preach and take Him back home, but He said to them, “Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). The God Partnership, just like any good business arrangement, calls for responsibility and diligence.

         Jesus told a story of a man who left his house (business) for a long trip. He told his partners to keep things in order until his return. I think that means keep on working; keep on showing a profit.

         Jesus gave us a contract. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by not pass away” (Luke 21:33).

         What will He pay? “And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon me... that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:29-30).