Business Matters: A Francis Kong DevotionalSample

REAL AND RELEVANT Can Christianity and business reconcile? Especially in an environment where corruption is the norm and compromise is the rule? If Christianity is so attractive, then why is it that most people I know, are turned off every time the terms like Bible studies, prayer meetings, pastors and ministers are mentioned? I once had a very passionate person approached me and said, "Francis, I'm so happy we now have a regular Bible study in our office." I said "Good." And truly, I'm happy for her because most companies I know today would shun the idea. I decided to probe further. I asked, "So how many are attending regularly?" She said, :We have a good number. 12!" I should be happy but then I'm not. You know why? Hold a Bible study where the principles and guidelines for correct living is being taught and you gather a handful of people. Twelve being on the big side. But hold a multi-level marketing seminar and you'll gather hundreds. Why is that so? Close-minded people take the easy way out. They explain by taking a big sigh and with extreme sadness in their eyes say, "It must be the end of the ages." But is that enough a reaction to just resign to the fact that the situation is helpless? That's a cop out as far as I am concerned. We need to make people realize that Christ is relevant for the business world. The business and professional people of today have deep concern for relevance, for things that are real. They are not interested in the participation of minor doctrinal differences. They are turned off with the churches' petty quarrels and non-ending splits. All these things are insignificant to them. What they desire is the fulfillment of felt needs. What they desire is for true religion to make sense and work in their lives. We need to show and tell that Jesus Christ is also concerned with people in the work place. How could the teachings of a book two thousand years old, the Bible, possibly relate to the environment of Smart phones, cloud computing, video conferencing, profit and loss statements and annual reports? That's where you and I come in. When we demonstrate that the God of all eternity has a personal interest in contemporary problems like stress, goal setting, steamrolling change, and family pressures, those around us who don't know Christ are bound to want to hear more about Him. We can argue the truth of Scripture, but too often we find ourselves answering questions few people are asking. What they want to know is: "How can I know if I'm doing the right thing?" "How can I squeeze thirty hours worth of responsibility into a twenty-four-hour day?" "How can I win at work without losing at home?" "What will I do if I lose my job?" When people see the Christian businessperson living a life of genuine joy and success, they get curious and they want what you have. Challenge: Do people see Christ in you and are you really living life to its fullness because of Christ?