The Sanctioned Productivity of Christian Citizens

In the business world, there's been a lot of talk about a new disease in society today called "getting something for nothing." It is an epidemic of mindset that says life owes me a living, so give me what I need without me working for it.

I have observed that many Christians who should be productive in life are not. It is an irony because the Bible is the most positive and encouraging book attesting for the fruitfulness of each individual.

Many are busy trying to be in full-time ministry. And that is great. However, the Word of God is clear that we all have to work for a living. Paul says that if we don't work, we don't eat. Now, in recent years there's been great emphasis on the "market ministry" -- bringing evangelical ministry into the work place.

But, I'm a little skeptical about that because I find that many folks don't know how to integrate that into the work environment. You don't preach at work, or talk about the Lord instead of getting the accounts payable on time or bringing in sales to meet your monthly quota. You work.

Your life is an open epistle about what a Christian is all about. You be the best employee the firm has ever had. That speaks volumes about Christianity. That doesn't mean you don't tell anybody about the Good News at all. But you do it in the proper time.

On the other hand we have others who do not work at all, and that is not a good demonstration of Christianity. All have unique talents that God has given them but, for one reason or another, they are afraid to use it. (Some are even too lazy to use them - but that's for another discussion.)

We'll talk about being afraid to go ahead and use the specific talents in a productive way. A lot of people have a problem working at a company. These are usually the ones who turn out to be "born entrepreneurs" or "self-made entrepreneur", one or the other. And these potential entrepreneurs are the ones paralyzed with fear.

They have hidden talents but are afraid to move forward and use them -- they hide them under a bushel. "No man, when he has lighted a candle, puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." (Luke 11:33). Your talents must be brought out, placed up where others may be blessed.

They dream of having their own business, or ministry (but ministry seldom pays them a living), so being in business is working for a living. Then you have money to help in ministry work. The famous wealthy salesman, Zig Zigglar, was asked on a Christian television program once about this and his reply was, 

"You can't give money to ministry if you haven't got any". Who do you think pays for the operation of the local church? It's people who work for a living. They give their tithes and the church can operate.

The six most dangerous fears according to Napoleon Hill include:

* The Fear of Criticism
* The Fear of Death
* The Fear of Ill-Health
* The Fear of the Loss of Love
* The Fear of Old Age
* The Fear of Poverty

Why are these called "dangerous"? Because they will paralyze your life. They will paralyze your productivity in life. They will make you feel miserable. They will make you feel like a failure.They will make you depressed.

But God says: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."(2 Timothy 1:7)

If you are one of these folks who feel there is more in life that you could be doing, there is more in life that you could be contributing -- and there is more income that you could be earning -- start doing something, take baby steps, one day at a time, and you will be surprised how much you can achieve.

Look at starting a business. Prayerfully do the necessary research. And God will Bless your efforts. Just know that it takes time and work, you can't expect to have it all done in a week. Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

In other words you keep on keeping on, your face like a flint towards your goal. But that's the secret, you need a goal. You need a strategy. So sit down and work it out first. Ask yourself, what would I like to do, if everything worked out in my life, what would I be doing as an income producing career?