Success April 4, 2009

“So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows…
run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good.
Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”
I Timothy 6:8-11

It is a good thing to be financially successful, but when we focus simply on making money and accumulating wealth, we risk losing the things that are most valuable to us—our love for God and our love for our families. The Bible tells us that everything comes from God (Hosea 2:8; 1 Corinthians 11:12; 1 Chronicles 29:14). It is God who gives people their success. We must keep in mind that our pursuit should not be for money; instead we are to pursue God and attain His attributes for ourselves.

Copyright © 2009 M. Teresa Trascritti

(written for Ohio Christian University, Entrepreneur Basics)

Wisdom and Knowledge April 4, 2009

“The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles” (Proverbs 1:2-6 NLT).

A person may have extensive business knowledge, but it is nothing without God’s direction and intervention. In addition to reading the latest business articles and books, the wise entrepreneur will also read the Bible. God’s wisdom is timeless, and His Word provides the guidance and instructions that is needed to live each day. The book of Jeremiah explains it this way:

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

 

Copyright © 2009 M. Teresa Trascritti

(written for Ohio Christian University, Entrepreneur Basics)

Planning April 4, 2009

“The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”Romans 8:3 (NLT)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

God is the ultimate planner. He planned the creation of the universe from nothing.
God did not leave anything to chance. It may seem that salvation through Jesus Christ was a “Plan B,” but it was actually the established plan that God followed from the very beginning of our human existence.

Planning is described as, “a method for achieving an end; a procedure; and a detailed formulation of a program of action” (http://www.merriam-webster.com). Plans allow us to stay organized and focused. When we plan, we are emulating God. He is the One who showed us that planning is good because it prevents disastrous results and paves a way to the future.

Copyright © 2009 M. Teresa Trascritti

(written for Ohio Christian University, Entrepreneur Basics)

Ezekiel 15:2-5 April 4, 2009

“Son of man, how does a grapevine compare to a tree?
Is a vine’s wood as useful as the wood of a tree?
Can its wood be used for making things, like pegs to hang up pots and pans?
No, it can only be used for fuel, and even as fuel, it burns too quickly.
Vine branches are useless both before and after being put into the fire!”
Ezekiel 15:2-5

An evaluation is defined as, “To ascertain or fix the value or worth of… to examine and judge carefully; appraise” (dictionary.com). In this passage from the book of Ezekiel, we see that there is an evaluative process taking place. In the same way, we evaluate various things in our lives: other people, situations and our personal plans.

It is easy to fall into the pattern of evaluating the things around us and neglecting the evaluation of our own spiritual condition. In Psalms 34:8 it states, “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!” Evaluate your relationship with God and make the necessary adjustments. God should be our main concern in life—everything else is secondary to Him.

 

Copyright © 2009 M. Teresa Trascritti

(written for Ohio Christian University, Entrepreneur Basics)

I Chronicles 29:2, 14 April 4, 2009

“With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble–all of these in large quantities… But who am I, and who are my people,

that we should be able to give as generously as this?

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

I Chronicles 29:2, 14

In the passage above King David speaks to the people of Israel prior to the building of the Temple. The main point of his address is that all possessions are really God’s; nothing really belongs to us. Yes, we work hard for the things we have, and we do well at work and get promoted, but the blessings of a promotion or possessions are inevitably from God. Note David’s statement, “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (2 Chronicles 29:14). 

In a prior verse, David says, “Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength” (2 Chronicles 29:12). If all things are from God, then He has entrusted us with our jobs, our material things and even our families. We are to manage them well since it all belongs to Him. 

Copyright © 2009 M. Teresa Trascritti

(written for Ohio Christian University, Entrepreneur Basics)