Biblical Business Brief A weekly email to enlighten, encourage and equip Christian business leaders to lead in business using Biblical Business Principles.
Biblical Business Principle
This week we will focus on Love in Business. How is loving God and loving your neighbor connected?
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:7-18 NLT
This passage helps us connect loving God and loving our neighbor (the Great Commandment). Why do some people believe love works on Sunday, but in business love shows weakness? Why is loving your neighbor good business?
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 NLT The King James translates – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Our actions must be anchored in biblical truth. How do you assure your loving actions are anchored in truth?
Witness
At the Last Supper Jesus said – So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35 NLT ) As God’s love works in and through us, the world does see it. Have you observed someone do something selfless and people exclaim, “Why did he or she do that?” How do people in your business sphere of influence know you are a disciple of Christ? Visible signs (like a Bible on your desk) and verbal comments are good, but loving actions make an impact!
Bit of Wisdom
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Paul Lantz, CBMC
Email plantz@cbmc.com
Web www.cbmc.com
