We weren't able to connect to the Internet while I was sick, so I resorted to reading and writing what I've learned from Rabbi Daniel Lapin's book, 'Thou Shall Prosper'. Here's my thoughts on the first chapter. ~JB
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"You can easily imagine what an enormous competitive advantage is acquired by the business professional who really believes — no really, really , believes — with every microscopic molecule of his or her being that doing business is one of the most moral and best things to do." -Rabbi Daniel Lapin, "Thou Shall Prosper"
That pretty much sums up the first commandment mentioned in his book. Business does not exist for money making, it is there for the people. This is something we should think about not only in our careers, but I dare say that it should be in our minds in everything that we do. This is how business and what we call 'daily life' comes together - that we do it all for others and not for ourselves.
Let's go further. Let's look at this commandment in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. First of all, while I believe the line 'I do this for the glory of God' has its potency, I am prompted to say that it is as well for us to do things fully dedicated for others, fulfilling Christ's call for the world to know we are His disciples. For sake of reference, these are His exact words: "..A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
We do what we do for others because we love them. Men and women in business cannot control the attitudes and behaviors of every customer he or she encounters. How, therefore, can the businessman demonstrate this love for others?
Friends, we must understand that the love cannot come from us. On our own, we are incapable of constant and absolute love. We must receive love before we are able to love. The 'love' this world offers is conditional and doomed to failure and heartbreak.
It is the love of God, the perfect, absolute, everlasting love of God that has been poured out on us.. This love, expressed on the cross where Christ was crucified, was for all... Man and woman from every nation, of all ages and colors, of all professions and walks... God's love is for all, not because we did anything to deserve it, but because Christ paid it all for us.
It is because of this love that we see trials and issues as opportunities instead of hurdles. It is because of this love that we have peace for the past. This love secures us of a bright future. This love directs us in the present, and this love changes our minds to be thankful instead of remorseful for what we have in the present.
I believe it is through the love of Christ in us that we are able to truly serve others in all things, including business. In fact, by God's grace and love we are able to not only help people, but we are absolutely willing to make them better than ourselves.
Business is good. Business is an opportunity to serve. Business is an opportunity to share Jesus Christ.
God bless you.
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email me at jibee@rocketmail.com.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you His Shalom. - Numbers 6:24-26