A Christian View
of the Business World Observations and Cautions on 2009
As 2009 begins, we ask how and what questions: How did we get in this economic state? And what is 2009 going to look like? This article will offer Christians a word of observation and a word of caution.
A Word of Observation: In trying to answer the how and what questions, it helps to remember the answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. Many would say this is the answer to the question of why am I here? But we can all observe that getting the why question right helps to answer the how and what questions. So as we consider the state of the economy and our own situation, let us remember they are not the chief end of our existence.
A further observation on the how and what questions is found in James 4:13-15. At Cathedral Consulting Group, LLC, these are our company verses. James cautions businessmen, and women, to remember it is God’s world and all success comes from Him. James indicates we can do our business planning and strategizing, study the markets and compute the breakeven points; but we still are in God’s world. Unless God gives our efforts blessing, we will not have success. In 2009, let us remember we are in God’s world and we have the privilege to enjoy God in all aspects of our lives including our business, career, and job.
A Word of Caution: wanting to understand the future is not new, but certain actions are against God’s desires. God makes it clear that He knows the future. In both Isaiah 44:24-45:7 and Habakkuk 2:2-3, God directs the prophets to write down what He has told them will come to pass, so when the events happen, mankind can read it and know God indeed knows and controls the future. God would say, “The future is according to my plan. Relax. Trust me.”
But we don't relax. Instead, we sometimes act like Saul who sought out a median to call upon the dead so he could know the future (1 Samuel 28:7-25). God commands us not to do this. Does business forecasting and economic analysis boarder on sorcery? The principle is not to substitute economic analysis for praying and trusting in God’s provision.
A Further Word of Caution, while we are praying and trusting God for the future, we need to get to work. In Genesis 3, part of the judgment for the eating of the forbidden fruit was mankind has to work very hard to survive. While you may have experienced God’s blessing in the past, the present economic situation indicates we must be prepared to work very hard just to make ends meet. As Christians, we should remember God placed this burden on mankind so we may remember our fallen state and turn to Him and His way of salvation - His only begotten Son, Jesus, who died on the cross that we who believe in Jesus, be freed from our sins, and enjoy God forever.
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