Glory of God Will Fill the Earth

Habakkuk 2:13-15 (AMP)

13 “Is it not indeed from the Lord of hosts
That peoples labor [only] for the fire [that will destroy their work],

And nations grow weary for nothing [that is, things which have no lasting value]

14 “But [the time is coming when] the earth shall be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:

14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.


Numbers 14:

19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

20 And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word:

21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.

22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

source: inspirably

It has to be understood by believers that when the scriptures talk about the glory of the Lord filling the earth, it's not talking about the general presence of God being everywhere, as that's simply the result of being spirit, meaning the anatomical makeup of God. That reflects part of who God is, but it's not what it means concerning the glory of filling the earth as mentioned above.

Habakkuk confirms this when it describes this phenomenon by saying a little differently: "...the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord." He adds the word knowledge.

That obviously means knowledge of people outside of God Himself. People will have a knowledge of the Lord, and that knowledge will fill the earth some day.

One last thing concerning that point, it's not talking about so-called Christian TV. I've heard some make that assertion in the past, but it's a nonsensical idea.

God isn't talking about people purveying information when He's talking about knowledge, He's talking about a people that have a knowledge of who He is and being obedient unto that knowledge. It's referring to a people that embody all that God is in corporate expression.

So what does this filling of the earth with the glory of God mean? The scriptures use Caleb as an example of the type of man that will represent that in the earth.

After God responds to Moses' plea to forgive the iniquity of the children of Israel by agreeing to do it, it's there that He reveals what is meant by the phrase.

God says He agrees to forgive them, but they can't enter into the promised land. Only a certain type of person can enter there. It's quite simple and easy to understand.

Caleb has another spirit with him, said God, adding that Caleb has followed the Lord "fully." That is the person that will be brought into all the promises of God, which will ultimately fill the earth because a growing number of people, by the grace of God, will also fully follow the Lord, which means they'll obey His commands and laws.

Possessing the land isn't just having a presence there, which is why the general presence of God isn't enough, as it relates to His purpose for creating mankind. God already had that before creation, it added nothing to Him to create, He already was all of Himself in His essence.

What possessing the land meant was there will be a people that respond in obedience to God and live their lives by following the Lord fully. That is how the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth. It's through an obedient people who trust Him and act and live in accordance with that trust.

This is something very specific and not general. It's another way of saying we're to be conformed to the image of Christ. Even more, it's the totality of what is mentioned as God's eternal purpose in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.

God's purpose from before creation was to create a people so they would bear His image and take dominion over the earth and subdue it. That included taking on His characteristics (not divinity) and managing the world and everything in it.

Again, this is the practical meaning of the glory of the Lord filling the earth. He has chosen mankind as the means to do so in order that His glory would be seen everywhere. This is the manifestation of the sons of God creation so eagerly waits for.

Man Taking Dominion is Image of God

Genesis 1

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.


Many times when reading this verse, and reading or listening to commentary on it, a major part of the teaching is missed because people tend to focus on verses 26 and 28, forgetting verse 27.

Why that's extremely important is verse 27 affirms what God is saying in that part of the image of God is to take dominion. So when verse 26 says "let them have dominion...," verse 27 is reinforcing the fact that dominion is a characteristic of God that man is to bear. Verse 26 starts with God saying to one another that they'll make man in His image, and then immediately goes into dominion.
 
Speaking of verse 28, it entails the entirety of the purpose of God and dominion, taking into account getting married, having children, and raising a family; subduing the earth, which is a reference to how God views our employment and calling; and finally, it talks of us having authority or taking dominion over all lower life forms on the earth, which includes everything outside of man, which is the highest being created that walks the earth, and for those that have faith in Jesus Christ, we're over the angels as well, who exist to serve the heirs of salvation.

My point is verse 26 starts off with the image of God in man and verse 28 finishes with the same. The focus in between is dominion and what it means from God's point of view. This is the image of God being referred to, and what was being described when talking about making man in "our" likeness.

Instead of it being ancillary to man, it's included as central in the thought of God when He was about to create man.

How this verse is usually understood is, God creates man in His image, and from there man is to have dominion over everything on the earth. It should be read that man is created in the image of God, with having dominion being at the center of that image. Included of course are the characteristics of God, but having dominion is an extension of those characteristics spread across the earth.

This is what it means when we're told the glory of the Lord will fill the earth. It's not talking about a general presence of God, which has always been there from creation, it's talking about the glory of the Lord revealed in His people. That means being like Him in all aspects, with the centerpiece being that spreading across all of the earth to His glory.

God's Kingdom at the Local Level

One of the major problems Christians have concerning what appears to be an advance of evil that can't be stopped, is the tendency to focus on the international or national levels, rather than the local level.

When looking at what is happening around the world, it gives a sense it is what is happening right in our neighborhoods or cities. That's partly because of the communication age we live in, where geography and time have been compressed to the place it creates the sense of nearness and immediacy, even though that may be far from the reality.

That's important to understand because it can create the illusion of overwhelming victor for evil, when the outcome of the battle is far from being determined. And as to the overall war, Christians know the victory of God has already been declared.

As a matter of fact, the victory of God has already been established in the person of Jesus Christ when He died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead. From there He went to sit at the right hand of the Father until His enemies would be made a footstool for His feet.

Heaven rules, and Jesus Christ is the ruler in heaven, and the ruler from heaven, who now dwells within His people. He will make His enemies a footstool for His feet through His people whom He has called to Himself.

Back to the local focus. While the general and major victory has already been won by the blow Jesus delivered a Calvary, it is gradually being worked out on this earth.

This is why we need to center our attention and work on and at the local level. We can easily be discouraged and defeated by the forces of evil when we look how they are glorified by the media; meaning the reporting is primarily concerned with some type of evil or tragedy that has destroyed the lives of people. Most of the time there is no redemption associated with it, and just a feeling of loss and despair.

This is reduced when we look at ways to have an impact on the lives of people we touch in our neighborhoods and cities, rather than competing at levels we are intimidated and clueless how to engage when dealing with that type of power. It's limited power, and nothing compared to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has in fact received authority and power. With most people a national or international venue and ministry is beyond their calling. 

Even those that do have some influence will find that far more leveraged when imparting what God has given them to those that can work within their communities.

The point is we must learn to ignore most of what we hear and see with the various media outlets, and work at the local level to make meaningful change there.

Once true Christians start to do that at meaningful levels, we'll see things change, over time, around the world, because what is being done locally will spread throughout the earth.

Our job is to make sure we see the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ is growing and spreading across our local community.

Attitude Christians Should Have Toward Wealth and Success (11)

Chapter 11

Attitude to have toward wealth and success

Christians are expected to have a different outlook concerning building wealth and achieving success, because they should be considered fruits of our endeavors, not the root of our lives. That's why we are told by Jesus our lives are made up of more than food and drink, and why will all these things added to us if we seek the kingdom of God first.

This doesn't mean every individual will become rich, but it does mean we as a people will experience wealth and success as a whole. It also means the purpose for wealth is to establish God's covenant, not to build our own little kingdoms.

If our only goal is to get more while in this life for ourselves, we have failed, no matter what this world may say or what the outward indicators imply. We truly can gain the whole world and lose our soul if we're only in it for our own interests.

For that reason we are encouraged and admonished to be content with what we have in all circumstances. That's vital because if we don't, and I've learned this at times personally, we can never enjoy the journey. We start to think the time to be content will be when we reach our goals. Trust me, this simply isn't true. I've had many different times I've run businesses for others, acquired businesses, started by own businesses from scratch, bought real estate and invested successfully in stocks. Even when things were going good, I tended to never be content. There was always the sense of a carrot being dangled in front of me and I continued to chase it without every really enjoying the moment or the journey.

The problem with contentment being tied into the end game is there is only one brief moment when we reach our goal. If that is the only time of contentment in this world, we'll not only be individually miserable, but are probably going to make those around us miserable as well. As the Bible teaches us, "... godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6).

What that implies is if we're discontent, there tends to be some type of godlessness that accompanies it, meaning we are engaged in some type of sin; whether it's within or without. Contentment allows us to enjoy the blessings of God in the moment, focusing on taking care of what needs to be taken care of today, in order to reach our destination tomorrow. When we're discontent, we can move off our path and do things that may slow down or take us off the journey. Contentment allows us to relax and stay focused, while we patiently take one step at a time toward our goal.

Another thing contentment helps us with is in regard the possessions we have. In that case if we're not content, we can take steps in our businesses or investments that take on more risk in order to get what we want quicker. Yes, I've entered into that type of action too, and it has cost me time and many thousands of dollars before I figured out my motivations for taking the actions and why the results ended up being what they were.

All of this is a variety of ways of saying the same thing: our chief motivation can't and shouldn't be self interests. Even in serving others in a business this can easily be seen by customers over time. If we're in it for them in order to provide great value to their lives, they will know it and reward us with their business. If after time they start to see our motivation primarily being for ourselves, it does come out. It can't be hidden.

Even if customers can't put a finger on it right away, it is something they sense, and they will go somewhere else to get the type of service that has their best interests as core of the business.

Here's the key scripture that says it all:

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent (Proverbs 28:20).

The meaning is obvious to me. When people choose to get rich quick, there are all sorts of things they will enter into which will remove their innocence, meaning they will usually do whatever it takes at whatever costs; sometimes it is even illegal means to achieve and end. We must completely resist this temptation.

Shortcuts are part of the loss of quality service, which brings about the loss of business and revenue for the business. All of that comes from the desire to get rich at our pace, with that being the motivation, rather than providing terrific products and services which we can count on, over time, building wealth.

Counting our blessings

One tool I've used to combat discontent and the drive to get rich quick is to count the blessings God has already given me. This isn't only related to money, but to my own health, the health of my children and grandchildren, having food on the table and a roof over my head, blessed with wisdom from God, and many other things that are too many to mention.

What this practice does is not only develop and attitude of thankfulness for the blessings of God we take for granted, but allows us to see how much God has already given us, which in my life, has resulted in an inner peace, knowing, over time, He will continue to provide that which we ask Him for and expect of Him, as long as it isn't so we consume it on our own lusts.

When we get together as an extended family and talk, eat and share together, one of the practices we've developed is to share with one another the things we're thankful for. And if there are areas of stress, we share that to in order to pray for and encourage one another, which leads to peace and contentment.

This takes a little time, like everything does, but if you're faithful in counting or naming the many blessings of God in your life, it should bring about a sense of peace, accomplishment and increased faith in God that He will provide all that which we need to build unto His purpose, while enjoying the fruits of our labor during any time of our lives.

Finally concerning blessings, we have understand and acknowledge they all come from Him. To think otherwise makes us believe we've someone earned the blessings of God, which causes us to think we done it with our own hands. That doesn't mean we pretend we haven't planted and watered. That would be nonsensical. What it means is only God can give the increase, and we aren't to try to make those things come our way. It all comes from His grace, and walking in thankfulness for the blessings He's giving and have given us by occasionally reminding ourselves of them, is a good way to keep that fact in our minds.

Never trust in riches

Proverbs 11:28

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Now we get to the crux of this book, which is in our pursuit of wealth and success for the purpose of establishing God's kingdom, we have to learn we are never to trust in those riches, but in the grace and mercy of God who has richly provided us with them.

To trust in riches, as the scripture says above, means we are setting ourselves up for a fall. We cannot put our trust in money or things as if they will be able to save us, or have anything to do with our righteousness or favor before God. It could mean He has granted us favor in response to our faith in Him and willingness to seek wealth for the purpose of advancing His kingdom on earth, but we can't always assume that.

It's not as if God has need of the assets he has put under our control in order to advance His kingdom. For us to partake in His work is a privilege, not something we do as if we have anything to give we haven't been given.

Another thing to consider is the second part of the verse. It contrasts those that trust in their riches against the righteous. In other words, trusting in riches is an unrighteous outlook, and those that do so are separated in the eyes of God from the righteous. Those that trust in God and have wealth and possessions will flourish, as will those without the same amount of assets.

Remember, success is primarily measured by doing things based upon His word. This implies how we get there is as important as reaching our goals and assignments from God.

I believe for that reason it's hard for God to bless many people in ways He would like to because it ends up destroying them rather than giving them an opportunity on behalf of God to give in a variety of ways to spread His kingdom across the earth.

If you've ever researched giving by many big donors who identify themselves as Christians, you'll quickly find much of it has been in vain because they don't operate under these principles. I don't mean they aren't willing to give, because they are, the problem is they don't know how to give, and by guilt manipulation, can underwrite institutions and activities that may oppose Christ and His kingdom, rather than build it.

We need much more wisdom and insight to be representatives of God's kingdom on earth as people with assets and resources at our disposal.

What is meant by that is we need to look to the scriptures to be sure what we're given to is based upon its laws and principles. For example, it's not always a good thing to give to those types of charities that provide for the poor. There can be many secondary or ancillary services offered that may conflict with God's will and way of doing things.

There also may be no program or training in place to help those in need. I don't mean something has to be elaborate, but there should at least be legitimate guidance on where to go to get training and how to go about applying for it. There should also be places of employment listed within literature they can take with them to look for a job. Creating learned helplessness through our giving isn't in line with God's will as revealed in His Word. After all, we're clearly told if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat. There should always be some type of work required in order for people to partake in the blessings of God.

Again, this doesn't have to be a job right away, it could be helping cleaning up around the place food is served or maybe the outside of the facilities.

I'm not trying to get too detailed here, but the point is we have to learn to give based upon God's requirements. Not only for those in need of food, clothing and shelter, but for many other areas of life.

If you can't find one, maybe start one of your own that targets areas you see the kingdom of God needs to advance in.

When we don't trust in riches, we won't be as tight with our assets when it comes to the kingdom of God, and we will be more than willing to contribute to those things that please God based upon His word.

This is what confirming or establishing God's kingdom and covenant in this world means, this is why He gives us assets to work with beyond what we need. This is how we build wealth and achieve success without destroying our own souls.

Convenant and Success (10)

Chapter 9

Covenant

There is a lot in the Bible concerning the covenant, but I want to focus on the positive or blessings side of the covenant, with the understanding there is a cursing side as well, targeting those that don't obey the laws and commands of God. Blessings come the same way, based upon learning and putting into practice the the laws of God.

Before we get into the blessings for obedience to the terms of the covenant, bear in mind with these blessings come responsibility, which a major part of this book was written to help identify and understand. In other words, we must learn how to manage ourselves in the midst of blessings, which can easily take us off course if we don't.

That has been the challenge for God concerning His people for thousands of years. He wants to bless us extraordinarily. Not only to share good things with us, but as mentioned throughout the book, in order to confirm His kingdom; it allows us the privilege of giving to the advancement of God's kingdom on the earth.

Here's the promises of God if we obey Him:

Deuteronomy 28

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.

It's worth reading over these blessings listed in order to get a feel for the great things God wants to give and do to and for us. All He wants us to do is show our love for Him through obedience. Love for God is defined as obedience, as Jesus mentioned when He said if we really love Him, we'll obey His commandments. No obedience means no love. It doesn't matter what type of sentimental feelings you say you have for the Lord Jesus Christ if the result isn't to obey His laws and commands.

At first glance you may wonder what this has to do with success in this life, but when we operate under the implications of faith and obedience to God, it has everything to do with it. We can't separate obedience from success and retain any eternal value. Our works will follow us into eternity, and how we live in obedience to God will decide the type of rewards given us by the Lord when we stand before Him.

God reveals to us the curses associated with disobedience, but He first lists the blessings. Interestingly, there are far more cursings than there are blessings. I believe that's because the Lord is our exceeding great reward, and the blessings are a reflection of the abundance we find in Christ.

Here's the importance of these blessings and cursings: they are all part of our time here on earth. Some are looking for escape from this world and reject taking responsibility for their lives now, but throughout the Scriptures we are continually told about reaping what we sow. There are positive and negative consequences, and they include the time we live on this planet.

They are a shadow of the realities of heaven and hell, but they are still temporarily real.

What I'm trying to communicate here is the blessings are to be included as part of our lives on the earth too. I mention this because so many teach we are all about to be taken away, even though after decades of this assertion, we remain on the earth, and we have no idea when Jesus Christ will return and resurrect our bodies. For that reason we need to occupy till He comes, which means we are to work to be successful within our specific callings, and engage in the pursuit of success and assets in order to help expand God's kingdom in history.

All of this comes from the grace of God in connection with His promise to bless us in the many ways listed above.  Keep in mind this is a promise to His people, not only an individual. There are individuals that are part of these blessings, and the entirety of the people couldn't be blessed in these ways if numerous individuals weren't part of the blessings. That's important because not all individuals are called to receive all these blessings, but together all of the followers of Jesus Christ will. It's a corporate blessing coming upon a people who obey Christ, which is fulfilled by many individuals within the household of God.

The two go together, but it doesn't guarantee some great wealth for everyone, as not everyone can handle the temptations and responsibility that accompanies it. When you look through the Scriptures, the basic promise for most of us is we'll have enough for ourselves and our families, and enough left over to help others and give in order to establish God's covenant. That means to help spread the kingdom of God across the earth in our own lifetime.

All of this as a result of obedience to God. I want to mention once more the scripture where it tells us that man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God. All that we receive from God comes by His grace, and even though we are to do our part by becoming experts at what we do, we are limited to planting and watering, understanding it's God that gives the increase. That's important so we give glory to God and not look to ourselves as the source for success and wealth.

Our lives are more than the activities centered around bread, meaning the pursuit of assets in order to provide our needs and some wants. Our lives exist for the pleasure of God, and that pleasure comes from having faith in Him and obeying that which He has revealed to us to obey. That's success no matter what they level of assets He puts under our control and management.

For that reason we can't measure our success and blessings only by what we have, as some do. Instead, we measure it by knowing what God has asked of us and obeying what He requires.

Chapter 10 Stewardship

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Titus 1:7

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

1 Peter 4:10

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

The general definition of a steward is one that is in charge of someone else's estate, property, business affairs, or anything we take care of on behalf of others.

The foundational scripture involving stewardship is in 1 Cor. 4:2, where it says what is required of a steward is that they are found faithful. We are to be faithful in taking care of what we are put in charge of.

Don't be confused here in regard to pursuing success and a business that we consider our own because we have responsibility for it and make the final decisions. All that means is we have that authority. Since we must consider anything we have as belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ and being on loan from Him, it means we are to be faithful in the discharge of our duties, even though we are the one making final decisions.

Another extremely important thing to consider and remember is our customers, as far as it relates to people, are really those making decisions. If we do our job correctly and faithfully within a market that has growth potential, we should be successful if we remember we're in it to serve those people or businesses we do business with.

Whether or not we are the "owners" of the business or not won't matter if we aren't faithful stewards, which is another way of saying engaging in quality service. The point is everything belongs to God, and even in our businesses we need to acknowledge that He is Lord there as He should be in all areas of our lives. So we serve under God as faithful stewards, going our best to meet all the promises we have made to our customers.

As stewards of a business, there will be an accounting by God after the resurrection. Much sooner we receive an accounting from our customers by their feedback, which in most cases is whether or not they're willing to do business with us.

Blameless

One thing I'd like to mention about how we study the Bible is that even though there may be something specific it's talking about, we can learn from and apply those truths to other areas of life. For that reason when Titus 1:7 talks about a bishop being blameless as a steward, it can be taken and applied to our own lives in various areas. After all, do we think elders and church leaders are the only people required to be blameless in our service to God and other people? Of course not.

As a blameless steward of God, we are to take on the qualities associated with Titus 1:7, which means we aren't to be self willed, which would be detrimental to achieving success. Not only would it work against us in making it harder to accomplish, but even if we get results, the fruit of it will be tainted by being driving by our own will and not that of God's.

Other attributes include being able to control our temper, senses (not drunk or taking drugs), cheating people, or being overly aggressive in response to their interactions with us.

When we're stewards of the Lord's in our pursuits, we must walk in self control, which is really what blameless means. Our behavior must be excellent, and we must treat people with respect. That doesn't mean we are to be pushovers for those that take advantage of us or verbally or physically abuse us. It simply means under normal circumstances of service we are to be patient and kind with people as they give us feedback on our products or services, which can at times be aggressive towards us because of the frustration of having to deal with it in the first place.

This is why those people and businesses that are able to successfully and satisfactorily handle problems that arise, are those that are able to reach their goals. It's not that we are able to eliminate problems (we should do our best to reduce them), it's that we do everything we can with our best attitude to solve it for the customer. That can produce some of the most loyal customers we have if it's done right. Being a blameless steward is the major quality in performing in that manner.

To the best of our abilities and within reason, we have to remove the idea from customers we're trying to cheat them or fail to live up to our promises and their expectations coming from those promises. This is what being faithful, blameless stewards accomplishes, and the major thing there is to be sure to clearly and effectively communicate what it is we're offering and at what price. Failure to do that in a way that is easily understood is a big part of bad customer relations or product and service failures beyond what should be experienced.

Minister according to our gifts

We are to minister to one another according to our gifts, as good stewards of the grace of God. The ability to minister to others comes from the grace of God, as do our gift or gifts. For that reason we need to understand what it is our gift is, in order to be a good steward.

I've seen many people attempt to serve in gifting or areas they're simply not qualified for. The eventual result is frustration and underperformance. It's one of the reasons we have to accurately identify our gifting in God and the area we're to serve in. If we don't, we can have a good heart and do everything as unto the Lord and not unto men, but we won't reach the potential we would otherwise have reached.

I'm not saying this is something that can happen all at once; it could take time. But those that know what their calling is early in life will be able to produce much more over their lives than those that are slow to do so.

There are of course caveats to this. For example, we may be involved in different areas of service at different stages of our lives. We may have a part time job when we're younger for the purpose of learning to be faithful in someone else's business. After all, if we can't serve successfully under another's authority, how will be have the self-discipline when we have only ourselves to answer to, as far as human beings goes? We can't.

So we have to identify our gifts, understanding we're on a journey for this part of our lives specifically, and an overall journey for the rest of our lives. We should do those things that lead to our ultimate goal in this world, as far as it remains to success, business and assets, knowing it relates to our destination.

Gifting are also important in understanding our limitations. There are some things we're very good at, and those are services we need to perform ourselves. It doesn't mean in the early stage of a business we won't have to wear many hats, as we learn all aspects of the business in order to understand it and help to train others in different jobs once we are no longer to do perform the requirements to fulfill our promises. Many business owners fail in this way, as they refuse to delegate authority and train people to do their jobs.

That's okay if your purpose is to serve as a one-person business. But if you have goals beyond that, knowing your area of expertise and operating within it is the best way to be a steward and minister effectively to others.

Also, if you're going to eventually hire employees, you need to know how and where they can best serve as well. It's one reason why we need to do the same with ourselves, as it'll provide us a map we can follow when we start to expand the business.

The key there is to place employees in positions where they aren't set up for failure. That is done by identifying their gifts and giving them responsibilities they have a significant chance at accomplishing.

Conclusion

Since we are to minister according to our gifting, it implies the excellence mentioned earlier in the book, where we develop to the best of our ability. That means being stewards of our time, money and assets.

The greater gift we're given, the greater will be our responsibility, and the greater will be our accountability.

We know how well we're doing by legitimate feedback from customers. I say legitimate because there are those types of customers that really have no interest in having their problems solved, they only want to complain because it's part of their nature. We can be patient and kind with them, but eventually we have to decide whether they're real customers or not. Real customers, after doing some venting, will respond to various solutions. They won't refuse your attempts to make it right.

Feedback is the great mechanism and metric in business that tells us how we're doing. If we have a lot of negative feedback concerning specific products or services, we need to take a very close look at where things are going wrong and what can be done to solve the issue. That's a big part of being stewards, and why we must faithful in the discharging of our responsibilities and duty to our customers.

Stewardship is being faithful, and that means we are to provide quality products and services to those we do business with. Anything less will result in failure. In this life customers and God hold us accountable, in the next life we'll stand before God to give an accounting for what we've done in service with our gifts.

Fufilling What God Wants is True Success (9)

Chapter 8

Real success is fulfilling what God wants

Matthew 16:25-27

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Everything a Christian does in life should include the attitude and outlook mentioned above, that we are to lose our lives for His sake. Only when we lose it will be truly find our own life. The point of that is the reason for pursuit of success isn't primarily for the purpose of meeting our wants and needs, but being part of fulfilling what God wants - His overall purpose.

When we measure our work, which we occasionally need to do, it should be done so first by seeing how our success is helping to build the kingdom of God. After sifting through how our businesses or pursuits are part of His kingdom, if we find it not being much, we need to readjust our thinking and look for ways to incorporate it into our lives. Wealth should be sought so we can help establish God's covenant, not for ourselves.

As the scriptures teach, if we seek His kingdom first, the rest will be added to us. True success will be the combination of both; not one or the other. Some people of course are called to live a more austere life, and as a result don't have a lot of money to give in building God's kingdom. It's not how much you give, as Jesus testified concerning the widow who gave a little, but it was everything she had. Rather, it's the heart and cost behind giving in those circumstances that please God, which should be our ultimate individual goal.

For most of us this isn't our calling, rather it's to help take care of our families and have enough left over to give to God's kingdom. If we're measuring success only by how much money we're taking in, we have already lost our way. It's not necessarily that we aren't saved, but that our efforts are only being conducted on behalf of ourselves, and not God, who has given us power to get wealth.

When we obtain wealth, the purpose isn't so we are seen as having God confirm whatever little kingdom God builds. It's the opposite. God is confirming and affirming His kingdom by blessing us with assets.

What this means is  when we are blessed by God concerning the work of our hands, it's an act of grace on His part, not some type of special power we have within ourselves that makes us superior to other people. God has gifted us for a purpose, and that gifting is from Him, not innate within us. We have no basis to boast, but rather should be giving thanks for His grace He has given to us to accomplish His will on earth and for the wealth provided to build His kingdom.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking a share and enjoying the goodness of God in this lifetime, but if that's all we do, we've truly lost are way and are only serving mammon. What we are to do is seek the favor of God and not what He can and will give us. When we seek to please and obey Him by faith, He can richly bless us with all sorts of things we won't be tempted by or think we somehow are the source of those blessings through our own wisdom or hard work.

This doesn't mean we aren't to learn and become experts in a specific field, but that in all that we do, even our study to become an expert, is a gift of God. Without Him we can do nothing, as the scriptures teach us. In the end, after doing our part, success or failure is determined by God. We must trust Him and rest in His sovereignty.

Success in this life

Isaiah 65: 17-24

17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.

24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

These versus aren't referring to some type of post-resurrection heaven and earth, as it says people will continue to grow old and die. That won't happen after the resurrection, because we'll be in our new bodies, which will be immortal. There will be no death at that time.

With that in mind, the feedback from God for success in history will be long life, avoiding the curses coming from sin, wealth, rejoicing, growing obedience and justice, and an increase in population growth. Every Christian needs to think of these thinks as blessings, even while enemies of Christ look at them in many ways as a curse, because they think in ways that start with man being considered a parasite on the planet, rather than the very purpose God created, along with being created in His image.  

Other blessings accompanying success include more influence, increased significance and reputation. This is all measured by the parameters of service God gives to us, which we should remain in. We must search to find our boundaries, and once we do, stay within them until and if God expands us beyond them.

Remember the consequences of Satan refusing to remain within his appointed boundary.

Success isn't something we attain to only individually, but these promises include society as a whole, especially Christian society. This is part of the problem that teach everyone can become wealthy. It's not really what the scriptures teach. What they teach is the blessings of God will come upon a people in response to obedience to His commands and laws. Not everyone is going to receive the blessings in the same way or at the same level, but society as a whole will enjoy them.

Measuring our success

Our success is overall measured by what was mentioned above, but success for us individually and God's people is determined by our response to the word of God. Real success that comes from God is that which is built upon the knowing and understanding of God's laws, and the application of them to all areas of our lives. That produces the fruits of success mentioned above.

A person or people may enjoy the blessings of God without obedience, which means eventually He'll remove the blessings if we don't repent and turn back toward Him in obedience.

We must not only experience the fruits of success, but it must be based upon the roots of success, which are revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This is why we are admonished Jesus that we shouldn't be those that may gain the whole world, but in the end, lose our souls. Success not built on the Bible isn't success, it's only the fruit of success. Knowing the difference is the wisdom all believers need to attain to.

The confidence we can have is this:

Isaiah 55

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

What this means is the Word of God, which is that revealed in the Bible, will be a success in history. That which God wants accomplished in this world, will be accomplished. This is about its impact on the earth. God isn't concerned about the heavenly realm, He's already got that under control, which is why Jesus taught us to pray that His kingdom should come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We need to pray that and expect He will answer it. He wouldn't have told us to pray in that manner if we weren't to expect it to be answered. God is after the same thing that is being done in heaven, which is complete obedience to His commands, will also be done on earth.

In history, not only in the afterlife or post-resurrection, the word of God will do what He has sent it to do.

Psam 119:33-37 says this:

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

This is the foundation and end of all success on the earth, to understand and obey God's law. We must do this in all our pursuits, including our pursuit of success.

Or as Solomon said in his conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The bottom line is we are to remember God's commands in this life and do them. There are no other expectations, and God will richly bless us as a people, and in many cases, individually. The difference is we won't be overwhelmed and destroyed by God's blessings, but will us them to establish His covenant.