Business & Faith

How Many Words Does It Take?

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Kingdom Paradigms , ,
The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? Eccl 6:11 ESV.

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How many words are enough?

Ever found yourself in a situation where you tried to talk yourself out of? Whether being pulled over by the police for speeding, or caught by your significant other with your hand in the cookie jar, we try to justify ourselves by heaping words upon words. How has that worked for you?

When you are trying to persuade someone to your way of thinking, do you continue to heap words upon words hoping that the person will collapse from the mere weight of them?

When you find yourself in a conversation when silence blasts loudly in your ear, do you have to open the mouth so noise comes out or can you refrain and enjoy the quietness for the moment?

Most of the time it is not how many words we convey that matters. What truly matters is if we care, are open to the other person’s point of view, and respect the person for their opinion. Many times by asking the key questions and listening will lead you to accomplish more than battling with a maze of words.

Ever notice in many of Jesus’ dialogue with others, he was short and direct to the point. He didn’t try to outweigh others with more words. Instead the few words used hit their mark and he allowed the Spirit to work within the life of the other.

The book of Proverbs also states several times that even the fool when silent looks wise.

So the next time you are tempted to out talk the other person, stop, listen, and choose your questions carefully. Totally understand their point of view before succinctly giving yours.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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What is Real Servant-Leadership?

Dr. Mike Business & Faith ,
       “But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” Luke 22:26 ESV.

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There was a time in the business world where organizational guru’s came out of the closet teaching that we need to become more like Jesus in our leadership role. Companies took the principle from Scripture and a new wave of management sprung forth. However, like many guru’s who have gone before they neglected to teach the entire subject. Instead of expounding on the entire subject matter of servant-leadership as practiced in God’s Kingdom, they took away the substance of leadership and left behind only the form.

The example of Jesus’ leadership style is a case of point. Yes, Jesus practiced what he preached. He came to serve others rather than to be served. His entire ministry was about teaching and serving those around him. However, he didn’t give people what they wanted solely because they asked.

Jesus admitted more than once that he could do nothing apart from God. That he did as his Father led him. He practiced servant-leadership by first finding out what his Father wanted done and doing it. In other words, servant-leadership apart from God is simply people pleasing. The works Jesus did he did through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was simply the conduit. He served others likewise because he was on a mission from his heavenly Dad.

Real servant-leadership is serving others with Jesus Christ. It is asking him for direction. It is seeking his Will on the matter. When we serve others without Christ’s input, we are simply in the people pleasing business. But are we pleasing Christ? Maybe Jesus has other plans for this person’s life? Maybe instead of serving the other person, we may be inhibiting the work of God and making it more difficult for the person in the long run. Maybe, we are manipulating the situation for our sake rather than allowing Jesus to truly invade the person’s life.

So next time you want to practice servant-leadership which is the way the Kingdom of God operates under, be sure you first have your King’s marching orders in place. Otherwise, you are not serving the person with Jesus. Instead you may be serving the person apart from God’s intention for him or her. Remember, Real Servant Leadership works. Just don’t throw away the baby with the bath water.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend need some Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

What Do You Gain From Your Work?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions, Business & Faith ,
“What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” Eccl: 1:3 ESV.

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Solomon was the King of Israel after David died. Blessed by God with great wisdom and knowledge, he pursued every selfish desire that money could buy. We are told in the first several chapters of the Book of Ecclesiastes, that he built large buildings, vast gardens, and fruit farms. He acquired a large estate of herds and flocks, silver and gold, and male and female slaves. He was the richest man of his time.

Yet he didn’t stop there. He acquired more knowledge. He wrote books. He pursued every desire known by man seeking to discover the meaning to life. In short, he wanted to know how to best use his time on earth. But his path and experiments led him to despair, sorrow, and even hating life. The reason: everything in this physical life is temporary.

So what was his conclusion from his life’s work? What is there to gain from all one’s effort? Simply this: The appreciation of the joy God shares with you through His creation. He repeats it three times first starting in Ecc. 2:24-26. In summary, enjoy the work of your hands being appreciative for what God has given you. Ecc 3:13 states that it is God’s gift to you. In Ecc. 3:22 he writes that one should rejoice in your work. Again in Ecc. 5:18-20 Solomon writes that to enjoy food and drink and the work of your hands. In addition, he writes that if one has been given wealth and the power to enjoy one’s wealth, to rejoice because it is a gift from God. Remember, when God occupies a person’s heart with joy, the time and life goes by fast.

In Ecc. 7:14 Solomon adds that in times of prosperity be joyful, and when times are tough consider that God made both days so our lives will be less predictable. And because of the unpredictability of life, we don’t know for sure what will prosper, so work like all avenues may succeed or fail (Ecc. 11:6).

What about making money to pay the bills? Here are a few scriptures that the Bible reminds us.

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23.
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Proverbs 13:11.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17.

Bottom-line: enjoy the work of your hands, learn to live on what you make, save a little each day, and be thankful for everything God gives you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!