To Market or Not to Market. For businessmen and businesswomen, that is the question. Many people balk at the idea of turning the church into a marketplace, and well they should. Jesus rebuked those who were trying to sell sacrifices at the temple. He was vehement about it. But here's another prspective: Jesus was also passionate about winning the business community. Take a look in Luke 19:
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
This is one example of Jesus inviting a businessman in. Jesus Himself said, "I must be about my Father's business." and instructed the disciples to "Occupy (do business) till I come (return)." Jesus was not into turning the church into a marketplace but He brought the church to the Market. Indeed, wherever you are, the Kingdom of God is present, for it is within you.
Jesus capitalized on what many religious institutions overlook: the mindset of those who do business.
Take a look at Zacchaeus. Here's a few things he did:
1. He pressed on to see Jesus despite his personal limitations
2. He found a quick, efficient, and effective solution to his limitation.
3. He utilized forethought, checked Jesus itinerary and travel route.
4. He got there ahead of time, checked the location, got his seat, and made preparation to meet Christ.
5. Jesus wound up looking UP to Him, calling him, and saying "I MUST come to YOUR house."
6. He followed Jesus' directive immediately and GLADLY welcomed Him, the total opposite response from the crowd.
7. He immediately quashed talk about his past by admitting his shortcoming (cheating/stealing from the people) and offered to pay it back four times.
No wonder Jesus was excited about recieving this man!
He would be a great asset to the Kingdom of God. I know many leaders would be glad to have a member that finds solutions, plans ahead, comes on time, follows directions, doesn't rely on the favor of being called out by the Master, and is willing to turn from their errors and change.
Notice the people muttering weren't concerned that Zacchaeus was a sinner. They were upset that he got to chill with Jesus! Isn't that a mess? Some people want Jesus as a trophy God. This man was willing to change, not just parade God around like a trinket. What about you today? How will you bring Christ out into the open?
I've heard many people say, "We can't talk about "that" (God, Jesus, Church, religion, Holiness) here." If not in the marketplace, where? I know some are reading, and saying to themselves that faith is a private matter. I agree. Faith is a private matter with PUBLIC results. The glory of the Lord is upon you, and you are a LIT candle, a CITY set on a Hill. No matter how quiet you try to be, the Light of Christ SHINES. It WILL tell on you!
If you are a Manager, Business Owner, Principal, Artist and You're wondering, "How can I bring Christ out into the Open?" Here are a few ways:
1.Use Music. I am always pleasantly surprised when I hear Gospel music being played in a mainstream establishment. It lets me know that Christ is welcome there and so am I. It allows people to enquire about you as the owner, and opens a door to testify how God started and is blessing your business.
2. Use Inspirational Material. Offering free copies of mainstream devotionals like Daily Bread is another way to bring Christ out into the open without lugging out the Family Bible and setting it on the counter.
3. Use Art. If the lines are long, most people generally will walk around and check out the artwork on the walls of your establishment. Many outlets today carry paintings with scripture painted directly into the art. My husband's abstract art series features Biblical concepts without focusing on a black Jesus or white Jesus. His paintings can be found in university offices, lawyer's offices, and doctor's offices. There are all kinds of ways that Christ can be expressed especially artisitically without being in your face. But, do know, some will be offended by the message of the Cross regardless of how beautifully you package it.
Until next time, I encourage you to SHINE as lights in a Dark World!
