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Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Moth

January 9, 2023

Devotions/Partners

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Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV): “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

COMMENTARY: The Lord created the moth, and He mentions it in this passage to give us wisdom at work.

APPLICATION: Many times, we work day after day to earn the money to purchase material possessions that have limited lifetimes and no eternal value. For example, we buy closets full of fancy garments, only to see them wear away or eaten by moths. In this fallen, sinful world, there will always be moths (of various kinds, both actual and symbolic) that eat away and ruin our possessions, time, energy and material wealth. But in this passage, we are told that we have a wonderful option with a divine promise. You could say that this promise is the equivalent of God’s Divine “Mothballs.” You can choose to spend your money on things that will never be eaten away and ruined: God’s Work. Spending money on evangelism and discipleship is never, ever wasted.

How generous are you in giving your time, energy, talent and treasure to Christian ministry? Do you spend more resources on your home, car, wardrobe, gadgets, office, vacation, entertainment or career than you do on ministry? If you truly desire treasures that will withstand the moth and last for eternity, then it may be time to take an inventory of your priorities and make some Holy Spirit-led changes.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 30:28 (KJV)，read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary

Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Locust

Devotions/Partners

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Proverbs 30:27 (KJV): “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands.”

COMMENTARY: Based on Biblical accounts of locusts (like Egypt in the days of Moses), it is amazing that such a tiny bug could have such a dramatic impact. Alone, the locust is relatively powerless. Add enough locusts together in a swarm, and they can cause enormous damage.

APPLICATION: Alone, as Christians in the marketplace, you and I may feel rather insignificant. In reality, one Spirit-filled person can make a difference; but together, we can go forth into the workplace in swarms and have a huge impact! There is wisdom, power and synergy in teamwork.

“But Drew,” you say, “I do not know of any swarms of Christian businesspeople to join.” Perhaps there are swarms nearby, and you do not know they exist. I suggest that a good place to look for swarms of Christian businesspeople is Called To Work. There are many legitimate local, regional, national and global workplace Christian ministries representing hundreds of thousands of Christian businesspeople around the world. It is probable that you will find a swarm near you. Then again, the Lord may want you to be the catalyst to organize a local swarm of Christian businesspeople. The first step is taking the initiative to explore the possibilities. United we stand, divided we fall!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)，read Store Your Treasure in Heaven, Not on Earth (Matthew 6:19-34) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Fly

January 6, 2023

Devotions/Partners

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Ecclesiastes 10:1 (KJV): “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly in him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.”

COMMENTARY: Flies are annoying, distracting and obnoxious. However, God created them and mentions them in Scripture to give us wisdom at work.

APPLICATION: No one likes finding a dead fly in a beverage, food, or medication. It is repulsive to even think about. In this passage, the Lord equates folly in the life of His people with a dead fly in the ointment.

To God and man, our folly stinks. That is why it is so important for us to lead by example and not by force. It is when we lead by force and not by example (like the Pharisees) that we begin to stink. It is when we do not practice what we preach (like the Pharisees) that we begin to stink. It is when we think that the ends justify the means (like the Pharisees) that we begin to stink. It is when we have worldly motives, attitudes, and behavior (like the Pharisees) that we begin to stink.

Which leads me to this question: does your work stink? As a Christian business owner, executive, manager or employee, your work quality should be excellent. Your attitude should be enthusiastic. God’s Light should shine through you like a radiant beacon.

Sadly, many Christians in the workplace really do stink. Their sourpuss attitudes and lousy work habits hinder their fruitfulness in leading co-workers to Christ. Right now, please ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and remove any dead flies that are in your heart, mind, body and soul. He is fully capable of cleansing you and making you a vibrant, Godly example at work today.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 30:27 (KJV)，read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Ant

Devotions/Partners

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Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV): “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”

COMMENTARY: Ants are annoying pests, but God created them and in the book of Proverbs, the ant is an example of wisdom at work. For example, ants are very industrious, whether they are working alone or together. They create amazing underground homes with different chambers that are used for nurseries, food storage, living rooms and bedrooms. They are extremely alert: their eyes are incredibly astute at observing movement, and their antennae can smell, touch, taste, and hear. They communicate with each other very effectively by touching one another’s antennae.

APPLICATION: In many workplaces, employees depend on external motivation instead of internal motivation. They wait for those in authority to tell them what to do, instead of taking the initiative to do what they know should, could and must be done. In the same way that God blesses the ant’s industriousness, God will bless your industriousness.

How self-motivated are you today? You have a job to do, just do it. Do not slack off when your boss is not looking; keep working, like the ant. Do not wait for your boss to push you; keep working like the ant. If you are bored, take the initiative like the ant.

Christian workers should be the most self-disciplined, self-motivated, industrious and innovative workers in the world. The word “boredom” should not exist in your vocabulary.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Ecclesiastes 10:1 (KJV)，read There is No Way to Know What Comes Afterwards (Eccl 9:1-11:6) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Beware of Worldly Trophies

January 5, 2023

Devotions/Partners

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Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV): “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

COMMENTARY: As children, we are often raised to compete, excel and show off our victory trophies. For example, a student athlete labors tirelessly to earn a trophy. A student musician practices for countless hours to earn a medal. Those trophies are tangible symbols of their achievement, self-worth or power to successfully compete.

Let’s fast-forward through time. These same students who competed in sports, the arts, or some other arena graduate from school and enter the workplace. They are still conditioned to earn trophies, but the trophies have changed to things like bigger homes, fancier cars, elegant jewelry and wardrobes, investments, vacation homes, exotic travel and memberships in exclusive clubs. All of this “stuff” is a symbol of their success. In reality, however, they have laid up for themselves treasures on the earth; the very activity that Jesus warns us NOT to do.

APPLICATION: Are you collecting worldly trophies that have little or no eternal value? A wise Christian will lay up treasures in heaven where there is a 100% guarantee backed by God that they will not be eaten away, rust or be stolen. Perhaps it is time for you to cash in some of those trophies and give the proceeds to Kingdom-building as led by the Holy Spirit. Think of the ministry funding that would come in on a regular basis, if every believer faithfully tithed and exchanged his or her worldly trophies for heavenly treasures. The Body of Christ does not have a funding problem, it has a heart problem. If you are guilty of covetousness, ask Him to set you FREE and He will!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)，read The Wise Worker is Diligent (Proverbs) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Beware of Bullies

Devotions/Partners

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2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (KJV): “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

COMMENTARY: Study the life of Paul, and you’ll see that he faced many unreasonable, wicked, brutish, faithless people as he sought to serve Christ and obey God’s call in his life.

APPLICATION: Have you ever worked for a bully? Perhaps you are guilty of being a bully yourself. We have all met some intense, aggressive bullies who are determined to get their way and pursue their definition of success at all costs, even if they have to leave a trail of destruction in their wake. They do not listen to reason and are not sensitive to others. They are master manipulators. Bullies can occupy positions anywhere, from the executive suite to the shop floor. They can be new hires or long-time employees, managers or union stewards, poor or rich, uneducated or very educated. Watch for these signals:

1) Bullies tend to have foul speech.

2) Bullies tend to cross the line and break the rules to get what they want.

3) Bullies can be “white collar” crooks.

4) Bullies eventually reap what they sow, and if you are working for them, you can get entangled in their mess, too.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)，read Store Your Treasure in Heaven, Not on Earth (Matthew 6:19-34) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Be Careful about Wining & Dining

Devotions/Partners

Genesis 19:33 (KJV): “And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.”

COMMENTARY: If you read the context of this passage from verses 30-38, you’ll discover that Lot’s two daughters schemed to get their father drunk so they could get pregnant. Their scheme worked. On two consecutive nights, both daughters became pregnant. They had two sons, Moab and Benammi. Their descendents, the Moabites and Ammonites, turned out to be enemies of Israel for years to come.

APPLICATION: Have you ever been “wined and dined” by suppliers? Be careful. Suppliers usually don’t take clients out just for fun: they have a motive to get and keep your business. If you allow yourself to be wined and dined, do not be surprised if you find yourself taken advantage of. As a Christian, you are to keep yourself free from manipulation, immorality and drunkenness. Getting drunk with suppliers will cause you to lose your perception (as Lot did). You will end up doing and saying things that you will regret, and that will lead to bondage.

Do not be foolish enough to walk into the wining and dining trap. Yes, you can have meals or go to events with suppliers, but keep your discernment and perception sharp. Do not allow yourself to get into situations that you will regret. Like Lot, a few moments of foolishness can bear ungodly consequences for years. Your foolishness can hurt a lot of people. If you are guilty of getting drunk with suppliers, today can be a fresh start. Apologize to God for your naivety or foolishness, ask for God’s forgiveness, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you the wisdom and power to overcome temptation. The truth shall set you FREE!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (KJV)，read 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Avoid Organized Crime of Any Kind

Devotions/Partners

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Proverbs 1:10 (KJV): “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

COMMENTARY: People seeking to please God and walk in wisdom must have enough fortitude, conviction, strength of character, confidence and reverence for our Creator NOT to get involved in evil schemes through peer pressure. People who do get involved, through naivete or foolishness, will suffer disastrous consequences.

APPLICATION: Sadly, there are businesspeople who join together to do evil. On television and in the movies, they are called “organized crime” or “mobsters.“ Sadly, there are business people who participate in organized crime and use church attendance as a deceptive disguise or cloak for their evil schemes.

On the one hand, you will not find any company that is 100% clean and pure, even if it is owned and staffed by Christ-followers. If you expect to find the perfect company, you will spend a lifetime in frustration. Even the most mature of Christian businesspeople are still imperfect.

On the other hand, if the Holy Spirit reveals that you are working in an evil business, your righteous soul will be vexed (like Lot) until you say “no” and extricate yourself from this toxic environment. You may suffer short-term inconvenience, ridicule and financial issues, but the alternative is to be caught in the disastrous long-term consequences. Sin always, ultimately, brings forth death.

If you are enticed to do work for customers, suppliers, bosses or co-workers who are involved in evil activities, DON’T DO IT! Walk in wisdom and you will have peaceful sleep and ultimately reap Godly rewards.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Genesis 19:33 (KJV)，read Abraham (Genesis 12:1-25:11) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Asleep at the Wheel

Devotions/Partners

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Proverbs 22:3 (KJV): “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

COMMENTARY: The word pre-act means to act beforehand in order to prepare for or to precede a stimulus. The word react means to act in response to a stimulus.

While we need not be filled with fear about the future, we ARE to use the sound mind that God has given us through the indwelling Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:17) to be aware and take pre-active steps to address the future. A classic Biblical example of PRE-ACTING is Joseph in Genesis 41, when Joseph instructs the Egyptians to pre-act by saving up for a coming famine.

A classic Biblical example of REACTING is the Centurion in Acts 27. The Holy Spirit gave Paul divine discernment about upcoming weather conditions, but the Centurion in charge chose to believe the so-called expert (the captain of the ship) instead. They proceed against Paul’s advice, and soon their smooth sailing turns into a major storm that leads to shipwreck.

APPLICATION: Sometimes storms hit your business without any advance warning. In these cases, you have no choice but to react, standing firmly on the promises of God and trusting in His providential care. Other times, your company may experience a storm that was largely self-inflicted through foolishness or ignorance. The key is to have your spiritual antenna up so that you’re receptive to wisdom. Is the Lord trying to get your company’s attention today? Are you listening? Will you foresee the evil and hide, or will you continue on your current path and be punished? James 1:5, which says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 1:10 (KJV)，read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Ask for Help @ Work

January 4, 2023

Devotions/Partners

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Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV): “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.“

COMMENTARY: In the Bible, “ask” appears 235 times and “help” appears 166 times. Yet, asking for help can be difficult in the workplace, especially for perfectionists or timid people who think that asking for help is shameful or embarrassing.

The reality is that we ALL need help. The concept of people helping people goes back to the beginning of the human race in Genesis 2:18, when God created Eve to be Adam’s “help mate.” People have been helping each other ever since.

APPLICATION: Are you facing a particular challenge today at work? You don’t have to handle it alone. Adam was alone, and God knew that he needed someone to assist him. You have supervisors, co-workers, suppliers, peers, friends and family who can help you to deal with challenges. But, you have to be proactive. They’re not mind-readers. They’re busy living their lives. You have to ASK for help. It won’t come automatically. You need to request it. Ask first from God Himself; then, as He works and directs, ask other people.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)，read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Called To Work

Author: design

Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Moth

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Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Locust

For Further Exploration

Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Fly

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Business Wisdom from Bugs: the Ant

For Further Exploration

Beware of Worldly Trophies

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Beware of Bullies

For Further Exploration

Be Careful about Wining & Dining

For Further Exploration

Avoid Organized Crime of Any Kind

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Asleep at the Wheel

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Ask for Help @ Work

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