If media is the only source we use to define the rich and poor then our definitions could become skewed compared to how the Bible describes the rich and the poor. Further, we must lean on Bible truths and principles - not the media or our own prejudices - to determine how we're supposed to deal with both groups of people. In Dr. Glenn Sunshine's new book, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty, he examines poverty from a biblical perspective in an effort to better understand the biblical call to care for those who in different conditions of poverty, both material and spiritual. Here's an excerpt from his book: At first glance, the Bible demonstrates that God cares about the poor and about how they are treated. Should we conclude from this that God is on the side of the poor and opposes the rich? This is a tempting conclusion, but is it supported by a careful reading of Scripture? Answering these questions requires determining what the Scriptures mean when they talk about the poor and the rich. ******************** Who are the Rich? Continue reading the entire article at: http://http://blog.tifwe.org/who-are-rich-and-poor/ ********************by Lavonya Jones Once Jesus had accomplished His mission in the Earth, He instructed us to “’Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). According to Ed Silvoso, in his book Transformation, “to disciple a nation means to impact its life so that it will conform to a set of specific values and develop a corresponding behavior.” This means to cause the culture of the nations to conform to the values of God’s Kingdom of love, joy, and peace. Therefore, as a Church, we are not just called to transform the lives of individuals, but also the conditions and environments in which they live. We are called to restore back unto the nations their honor and glory. Ed Silvoso further states that, “The premier social indicator that transformation has taken place is the elimination of systemic poverty.” Our efforts as the Church must provide value to the vitality of the entire community. The heart of the nation is the city, and the heart of the city is the marketplace. Therefore, transformation must begin here. Without a clear presence of the Kingdom of God in the marketplace through the placement of marketplace ministers, what happens inside our four walls is nothing more than a spiritual parade or pep rally. The Church must proactively seek a point of inception into the marketplace through the seven mountains of culture (family, government, media, economy/business, arts/entertainment, education, and religion), enforcing the Kingdom of God over the four values of control of the kingdom of darkness (control, immorality, pride, and exploitation of nature) with the righteousness, peace, joy, and power of the Kingdom of God (Rom 14:17). As we see in the world today, anyone with resources can address social issues, but only Spirit-filled believers have the access to the Tree of Life (wisdom-Prov. 3:18; the fruit of righteousness-Prov. 11:30; desire fulfilled-Prov. 13:12; a soothing tongue-Prov. 15:4) to solve the problems of the world, and to bring healing to the nations through the demonstration of God’s power with signs, wonders, and miracles. This is the most powerful key to opening up the nations to be transformed by the Kingdom of God. Statistically, over 90 percent of the Church does not feel that they are properly equipped by nuclear church leaders to impact their areas of influence in the marketplace. Marketplace ministers must be taught that they are called to do business, with the expectation to succeed, so that they may be granted influence, or authority, over their cities to be able to release the culture of Heaven in their cities. Every member in the Body of Christ has been given a specific assignment to display God’s glory and power, and to usher in the Kingdom of God among the nations. With this assignment, God has designated particular groups of people, particular regions, and particular areas for each of us to pour out our gifts and talents, for His glory, in order that we might fulfill our assignment on this earth. Therefore, marketplace ministers are key to city transformation and just as important and vital to the Kingdom of God as nuclear church ministers. As marketplace ministers we are to use our anointing to display God’s glory and power in our area of influence “so that sinners will turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18), transforming people and their environments. When we get the revelation that God has called us, He has anointed us, He has graced us, and given us authority, power, and jurisdiction in the arena of the marketplace we are well on our way to allowing God’s kingdom to replace Satanic systems in the heart of our communities and cities. About the AuthorLavonya Jones is a fierce new generation Business Strategist and Leadership Coach with over fourteen years of business, ministry and leadership experience. Armed with a passion to challenge the status quo within the upcoming generation, Jones is on a mission to bridge the destiny gap and equip leaders around the world with the spiritual and practical tools they need to fulfill God’s dream for their lives. Website: http://www.ReturnToYourDreams.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachLavonyaJones Twitter: https://twitter.com/Return2UrDreams Please support our efforts to fight poverty, grow local businesses, and create jobs...It's going to be another exciting and empowering week on Passion in Action TV. My guest this Thursday is Dr. Robert J. Watkins, CEO of Kings and Priests Unlimited, Inc., a business-focused ministry committed showing the Body of Christ how to build wealth, leave a legacy and develop into the leader God designed you to be. According to Robert, "I’ve made it my life’s passion to develop leaders at all levels. I understand how it feels to live a life in holy frustration without support, resources or purpose. That's why I made "solving problems for people, corporations and non-profits" my business." Married for 20 years with two wonderful daughters, Robert has had the privilege to serve in the military, write best-selling financial and business books, possess relationships with world-class leaders and speak to hundreds of thousands of people who, like you, value what it takes to become a great leader. His audiences not only leave my sessions with memorable experiences, but it changes the way they think. He truly believes that if you follow God's specific plans good things will happen for you. Learn more about Dr. Watkins and you can benefit from his ministry this Thursday on Passion in Action TV at 7 PM EST only at www.passioninaction.tv. With Passion in Action TV I'm always excited to interview leaders who inspire and motivate you to live the life God designed you for and this week's show is definitely no exception. My special guest is Paul D. Jones, a Kingdom entrepreneur in a true sense of the word. Here are a few highlights from his bio:
Learn more about how Paul and how he achieved success as a godly millionaire this Thursday, August 1st, live streaming at 7 PM ET only at www.passioninaction.tv. You can watch on your computer or any mobile device. See you Thursday! Special Discount at KBU Online Store Helps Fund Metro Merge Business Programs to Fight Poverty7/22/2013 In the last few weeks I have bee highlighting some of the great things that are happening with Metro Merge, the faith based Christian business incubator located in South Atlanta and our efforts to fight poverty through growing creating jobs by growing small businesses (see here and here). We are preparing to launch some great entrepreneurship training programs this fall for youth and adults to equip them with the practical skills and leadership tools to grow profitable businesses. So to help with our fundraising efforts Kingdom Business University is offering a 50% discount for all of the products in the online store until July 31st. You can get some great audio and video downloadable products that will assist you with growing your business and growing in your relationship with God as a business owner. You can use this content as a great mobile learning platform To get your discount, just use access code KBUJUL50 at the KBU online store when you check out. Here is a sample of the products:
Log onto our the KBU online store to see the full offering of products at an incredible deal. But remember, this deal will be over July 31st! Web Site: store.kbuonline.com Discount Access Code: KBUJUL50 Expires: July 31, 2013 Everything that God planned for us to do in the earth, He desires for us to be successful in doing it. That's why the Bible includes the blueprint for success for every single person, no matter what their individual purpose. This includes entrepreneurs and other businesspeople. Following what God said in Joshua 1:8, here are 7 principles that you can apply to your business that will guarantee success in God's eyes even if you don't look successful from society's perspective. As an aside, the only reason these principles would be considered "secrets" to you is if you don't read your Bible... 1) Prayer - Everything significant that happens in the Kingdom of God is preceded by prayer and sustained by prayer. Further, your business is an answer to someone's prayer. So pray and get God's wisdom on what you should do and how you should do it.
2) Purpose - I agree with my friend Antonina Greer who says God has a purpose for your business to bring glory to Him and transformation to those you serve.
4) Patience and Perseverance - The best of entrepreneurs realize that great businesses are not grown overnight. Commit to press through the mundane to get to the magnificent!
5) Practice - Perfect practice makes perfect. God is not asking you for perfection, but He is asking for your diligence. Your diligence will lead to your long-term success.
6) Profits - God is excited when His children prosper. He's not a deadbeat or evil IRS agent waiting for His cut. He gets excited when you flourish financially. He just wants to help you steward it properly so it can be sustained.
[RELATED: My Father's Business: Biblical Strategic for the Entrepreneurial Economy] 7) Praise - Without God we can do nothing. With Him nothing is impossible. Give the proper credit to whom it is due. Gratitude creates an atmosphere that attracts blessings.
8) Partnerships - Without God we can do nothing. With Him nothing is impossible. Give the proper credit to whom it is due. Gratitude creates an atmosphere that attracts blessings.
*********************Business Resources"Every problem is a business... The man who solves it becomes an employer!" ~ Dr. Myles Munroe A sure way to achieve success in business is to solve other people's problems profitably. When you produce solutions that help other people or organizations do something better, easier, faster, or cheaper you can just about guarantee that you will be compensated handsomely. Further, when you do it well enough and over a long period of time, your reputation as a problem solver will bring business to your doorstep. Whether you're an employee or entrepreneur, problem solvers are always in demand and never go out of style. No matter what industry you're in or career path you follow, problem solving skills are always at a premium. Regardless of what your job description says, if you're a great problem solver you will be easy to promote and hard to fire. RELATED: Dream B.I.G. in 3D: How to Pursue a Bold, Innovative, God-Inspired Life! The more problems you see the more ideas should be generated in your mind that can be channeled through your job or business. Don't fall into the easy trap of running your mouth with negativity when you really should be focusing your mind on creativity. Just because a bunch of other people are doing it doesn't make it right or profitable. You will separate yourself from the crowd when you refuse to complain about situations and instead focused on producing win-win resolutions. "If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." ~ Anthony J. D'Angelo With all the problems in the world today, you are never without opportunities to solve problems that can earn you a comfortable income. So if you're struggling financially, look for a problem to solve and ask God for the wisdom to do the job done well and profitably (James 1:5). Leave your comments below... ********************Many Christians struggle with their perception of money, which is one reason why they struggle with their acquisition of money. You could be struggling financially if you grew believing statements similar to:
Overall more Americans believe that Christian values are at odds with capitalism and the free market than believe they are compatible. This pattern also holds among Christians. Among Christians in the U.S., only 38% believe that capitalism and free market are consistent with Christian values while 46% believe the two are at odds. (RELATED: What History Channel's The Bible Can Teach Christian Entrepreneurs) I believe the markets are not inherently evil. However, when immoral people absent submission to and direction from God get involved with anything including the financial markets, misuse and abuse are bound to happen. Read the entire article Markets and Morality from a Biblical Perspective at http://blog.tifwe.org/markets-morality-from-a-biblical-perspective-part-two/ How do you perceive the free market economic system in relation to your faith? Leave your comments below... ********************Business ResourcesIt's that time again for the release of Brotha Magazine's latest issue, which includes my column "Kingdom Business." In this issue the title of my column is "Your Harvest is Ready", which describes our need as Christians to recognize how to take advantage of the great opportunities to prosper that are already right in front of us. I share some powerful insights that will help you identify what's already in your hand that God wants to use to bring abundance into your life. Here is a short excerpt... The reason many Christians struggle so much in the area of money is because they do not recognize how the Kingdom of God operates. Further they do not understand what they have already been given as royal family members. They mistakenly believe the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10 is only to be realized after we get to heaven. Therefore they go through continuous discouraging patterns of just getting by and barely having enough, somehow believing that this is God’s will for their lives. Enough is enough! It is time for us to be renewed and transformed in our thinking about money! Of course you wouldn't. And God doesn't treat us like that either.
Click here to read the full article Your Harvest is Ready at BrothaOnline.com... Click here to watch the video Your Harvest is Ready... Kingdom Business University is committed to being part of the solution to alleviate poverty and unemployment in the United States and around the world. It's our belief that entrepreneurship is a critical component of the answer to systemic unemployment and devastating poverty. We just recently launched a campaign to establish faith-based business incubators that will provide training, support, and other resources to launch and grow thriving Christian businesses that create jobs and change lives. We're not waiting for the government to do what God has given us the ability to do according to Deuteronomy 8:18. Read below to learn more about this incredible campaign... Christian Business Incubator Campaign Overview Our vision at Kingdom Business University is to train 1 million Kingdom entrepreneurs who will help transform people, families, and communities. We teach spiritual and financial empowerment tools that meet the practical needs of people through business and accelerate the advancement of the Gospel. About Our Project We have 3 simple goals for the communities that we work in:
Our Team KBU provides specialized, Biblically-based entrepreneurship training in critical business disciplines, focusing on specific subjects that are necessary for entrepreneur's personal and professional success. All of our faculty are either successful entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, or recognized business leaders in their respective industries. Your Rewards Your awesome rewards for supporting this much-needed campaign range from free books, motivational MP3s, business training videos, mentions on our Wall of Honor, and much more! Our Motivation 2 Corinthians 9:10-11: "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." We really need your help. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and click the button below to join this incredible campaign! Leadership Development Tools! |
Watch The Disruptors Streaming Bible Study!
Struggling Christian entrepreneur? My new ebook was written just for you!
Get the app that connects your career, calling & community!
Connect Your Faith With Your Work
Dream B.I.G. in 3D will take you on an internal treasure hunt to connect your career path to your purpose. Click here to learn more...
Popular PostsArchives
February 2018
Categories
All
Link RollAmos Johnson Jr.
Brotha Online Magazine Business as Mission Greater Seas Marketplace Chaplains Metro Merge Milestone Motivation Partners Worldwide Sacred Enterprises The High Calling TIFWE.org |