Success in the business world is typically an outward measure of the size of your business, the quality and popularity of your offering, the money you make, and the visibility you have in your sector. It’s often no different in a Christian business except we refer to our outward success as evidence of God’s favor. Half-truths are dangerous because this one leads to a belief that godliness is a means to financial gain (1Tim 6:5). Translation – just do things God’s way, follow the biblical principles and your business will thrive. The problem is that it puts our focus on business results instead of following the path Jesus has for us and hearing His voice.
If I believe God has a sovereign purpose to bless and prosper me financially, I will conclude that He or I have failed in the middle of the warfare over my purpose and inheritance. All of Jesus’ apostles were in the will of God, wrote the new testament, lived difficult lives, met with untimely deaths, and are celebrated in Heaven. Their path wasn’t a mistake or a defeat; it just doesn’t fit our rosy definition of success in business.
What we measure – I am very prone to measure my progress based on the results-definition of success. I skip the relational components of co-laboring (both the glory and the warfare). Here’s what Father said to me:
John, You are gaging success based on a harvest, instead of sowing and co-laboring. The flesh wants a harvest, achievement, notoriety, sales, results, views, clicks, and wealth. Put KPI’s on what sons are responsible for: your sowing, not Father’s reaping.
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- Delight yourself in co-laboring
- Doing what Father is doing (Jn 5:19)
- Seeing what Father is saying (Jn 8:38)
- Saying what Father is saying (Jn 12:49)
- “Great Gain” is Godliness with contentment.
- Delight yourself in co-laboring
1 Tim 6:5 – constant friction between people of corrupt mind,
who have been robbed of the truth and
who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7) For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Business results come in due season when we are good at listening and co-laboring. Lasting fruit comes when we get off the treadmill of living up to our expectations for outward success, and our own standard of righteousness.
- Our meat is doing what Father is doing, doing His work (Jn 4:32-34), engaging His purpose.
- You are tempted to be the “increaser” …the “results getter” (You are not God; you are His son)
1Cor 3:6 – I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
7) So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God, who makes things grow.
8) The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose,
and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. (not results)
9) For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder…
The Contrast – The spirit of running after all these things, the striving, and busyness is in sharp contrast with sons who are seated, reigning from Heaven, and co-laboring with Father on Earth. We all experience delays and setbacks in the results we were hoping for. That test shows exactly where our hearts are.
- Success – is sowing, doing what Father does with no strings attached to results.
- Whether the harvest is now or later changes nothing.
(The relevant questions – is Father doing it now? …and Am I doing it with Him?) - There is delight in the Lord from co-laboring (Relationship, then results).
- Co-laboring with Father, Following Jesus, is its own reward, result, fruit.
- Whether the harvest is now or later changes nothing.
- Failure – Delay or redirection is not defeat. Sons know harvest comes after sowing.
- Prophetic words of life from Father do not return void, they bear fruit.
- Delay is the time Father uses to add creativity, mid-course corrections, time for listening.
- Wealth – is treasure stored in Heaven (people, works, exploits, fruit that remains).
- I have access to see my storehouse in heaven now. I do have purpose and provisions!
- I can see what’s available, what’s to come (Rev 4:1)
- I am letting testing and perseverance do their work (Ja 1:4)
- I can be content and still contend in plenty or in want (Phil 4:12-13)
(neither plenty or want are an indictment or a promotion; it’s just a path)
Phil 4:12 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13) I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Your Path – is following the Lamb wherever he goes, regardless of the cost, whatever the result, in plenty or in want. Pagans are running after outward success. If you’re on that treadmill it will keep you out of the Council. Sons manage circumstances and cashflow, and make good business decisions responding to them, but events are not a source of guidance. Believers who aren’t clearly hearing from God often interpret circumstances as providential guidance – big mistake! They quit at every trial and every hint of warfare. Their pride inflates with every good omen. The enemy loves to offer circumstances that cycle believers between the extremes of condemnation and exaltation. Neither bigger barns nor a vow of poverty is the answer.
Pro 30:8 – Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9) So that I will not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?
And that I will not become impoverished and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Rev 14:4 – These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
Success has relational metrics – Son’s measure success by, the quality of their conversations with Father in the Council, they are experiences! Then, as a son, I can co-labor with what Father is doing. Clarity takes the anxiety out of making decisions. Now my path is simply lining up with Father’s purpose for me. It removes the mask of competing for outward success. Others perceive you as more genuine, personable, and loving. You begin to see purpose in the hearts of others. Now your business as a reason, a Kingdom Purpose that is compelling.
And there is a Result – Sons who co-labor in Father’s purpose have a totally different feel! You can tell Father is the wind in their sails, He is their provider and protecter. The counterfeit spirit is driven, busied by ego needs, pressing for performance, and providing for themselves. Sons are compelled by love for Father, His purpose, and His people. One feels like being loved, invited into Kingdom purpose. The other feels like being tempted by easy wealth, self-indulgence, outward appearance, and dead works. Sonship is good for business, the counterfeit is not.
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- Sons are all about intimacy, not just money.
- Sons are all about conversations in the Council, just not cashflow.
- Sons are all about connection, not just currency.
- Sons are all about dialogue, not just dollars.
- Sons are all about bonding, not just bank accounts.
- Sons are all about relationships, just not riches.
- Sons are all about understanding, just not income.
- Sons are all about connection, just not currency.
- Sons are all about feelings, just not finances.
- Sons are all about experiences, just not expenses.
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Sons are Competitive – Instead of striving for personal ambitions or competing with other businesspeople, sonship is all about pressing into Father’s council, utilizing the Courts of Heaven for warfare, and bringing Heaven to earth in substantive ways that bless nations. There is nothing passive about being a son and co-laboring with Father. Sonship is the high calling Jesus redeemed for all of us that is expressed in valiant exploits, brilliant creativity, heroic victories, and greater works that set many captives free. Sons do amazing things in Jesus’ name, authority, power, and strength. We are aggressive about tapping into His anointing and receiving our inheritance. Courage is a byproduct of our Seer gift; initiative is in our DNA; we carry our Father’s purpose; we hear his Living Words; we see what He is saying.
Ps 84:7 – They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
Jn 8:38 – I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence…
More: This blog, and the video discussion were inspired by my own Council sessions. They have much more on this topic, and they have instructional links so you can do it to:
What We Do – We help Kingdom Businesses find and fulfill their unique purpose while producing value and cash flow. We integrate Father’s Courts, Council, Purpose and Passion for Business leaders in a 1-on-1 format. Our Axiom – Have fun, create value, love people, and build the Kingdom!
- Get on our mailing list with a free copy of Intentional Reformation.
- Get on John’s calendar for a Zoom conversation.
- We start with a Purpose Profile to get your Kingdom purpose in writing.
- Have DIY options and a fleet of coaches with different specialties to choose from.
- We’re partnering with Larry Nault at BuildingaKingdomCompany.com.
Cutting Room Floor
How do we move into this realm of co-laboring? We’re sharing what we’ve heard in conversations, the purpose in Father’s heart. We’re seeing who responds, collaborates, cooperates, and co-labors with Father’s living words. We’re learning to listen and teaching our tribe to do the same.
- In Sales – We are not convincing people (Holy Spirit does that). We’re articulating an opportunity, then watching for who is ripe, responding, and helping them take their next step.
- In leadership – We are not primarily mandating, requiring, and commanding. Our priority is inviting sons into their calling, place of anointing, and identity.
- Isn’t this who you are?
- Isn’t this in your heart?
- Isn’t this why you are chosen, created?
- Isn’t this “your” purpose?
Death and Resurrection – There is a death and resurrection experience that precedes co-laboring. There is a brokenness, a fragrance in sons and daughters who have turned the corner.
Jn 10:17 1) I lay my life down (from: shortcuts, gratification, ambition)
2) Only to take it up again (to: co-laboring with Father with all my heart)
18) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.
I have authority to lay it down
and authority to take it up again.
This command I received from my Father.
It’s our choice, to take up our Cross and follow Him, or try to make things happen in another anointing (there are false Christ’s and false anointings we can choose from). Sons choose following the lamb wherever, regardless of the cost, regardless of the results! “Because” they have:
- Heard His voice in the Council
- Seen His movement in Heaven
- Chosen His work on Earth
Can you co-labor without results (Hear his voice through storms, delays, setbacks)?
Can you sow until there is a harvest (Have you seen enough in the Council to persevere)?
The correct answer is no, not on my own… I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
