A believer should have one great aim in life – to advance the Kingdom of God. When this is the main purpose, God’s work becomes very important. Every other thing takes a secondary position. If our chief aim is to serve the Kingdom of God, then the critical activity is service. It is indeed this service that will determine our success in life.
Majority of Christians are in the business world. Consequently, in your business, you are expected to serve the interests of the Kingdom of God. Many are in various professions and careers. Some are accountants, lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, engineers, secretaries, journalists and so on. Wherever you find yourself must be your platform for serving the Kingdom of God.
There must be a clear understanding that whatever business you are engaged in is a means to an end and not an end in itself. Do not confuse God’s purpose for your life with your profession, career, occupation, hobbies or whatever you find yourself doing. Instead, they are just the means for serving God. Colossians 3:23 (NKJV) says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not to men.”
Your work must be a form of worship unto the Lord, if it should have an eternal value. It must give pleasure to God. Whatever your hand finds to do, ask yourself whether it will give pleasure to God. If you know your action will not please God, why do you do it? Does your product or service give glory to God? Does what you write or say give glory to God? You will enjoy your work if it becomes worship to God. Revelation 4:11(KJV) says,” Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, for thy pleasure, they are and were created.”
Considering what angels do in heaven, I am convinced that the highest form of service to God is worship. As revealed to Apostle John, the 24 elders seated and clothed in white raiment with crowns of gold on their heads worshipped God.
The idea of being a Christian in your business was planted in me in 1961. After my Higher School Certificate exams, I had to choose a course of study in the university. It was a difficult decision for me. My uncle and guardian, Dan Erinne, had groomed me for Medicine but I did not have the flair for it. Although most of my classmates chose Medicine, after serious meditation, I chose Pharmacy and communicated my decision to my uncle. He was expectedly disappointed but, as a godly person, he wrote me a letter which I have preserved to date.
The letter, dated 3 March, 1961, stated, inter alia… “What I would have advised is Medicine as first choice. But that will not mean forcing you to do Medicine if you definitely dislike it…Many young people, in choosing a profession, look for that which brings most wealth or the highest social status and they usually imagine that Medicine gives both. I hope you are aware that that is not my aim in recommending Medicine. As a matter of fact, I would strongly advise you not to place material wealth and social pomp in the forefront. Rather, you should pray to God to find you a profession in which you will be a good Christian and, if possible, one that you will enjoy, not for the money or position it brings, but simply for its own sake…”
Today, God has granted the desire of my uncle and his prayers have been answered. I am enjoying my work as a pharmaceutical journalist and believe I am serving God through my publications.
God blesses the work of your hand so that you can make some money. Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV) says, “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore unto your fathers, as it is this day.” God expects you to support His work with the finances derived from your business. Bear in mind that you cannot prosper without Him.
It is wrong to measure your success by the amount of wealth you have acquired to enjoy luxuries. We must remember the story of the rich fool, as narrated in Luke 12:15(NKJV). Jesus Himself declares, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
