How Much Is Enough?
August 9th, 2007 | Michael Q. Pink
I have asked my very good friend Eric Beck (former International Director of Training for E-Myth Worldwide) to pass on three key insights that will help you in business. Today is the second installment dealing with the very important question of how much is enough. Now, here’s Eric…
Thank you Michael. As I promised yesterday, let’s look at a biblical system for how anyone in business can obey God’s command to be fruitful and multiply. Does such a thing exist? Yes it really does. But before I tell you about it, here’s the context. The Hebrews, recently freed from slavery, find themselves with no provision in the wilderness on their way to their promised land.
Did you know that this is an exact picture of the human spiritual journey we all go through? The discipline is to gather manna, not mammon. Remember the Hebrews were told to gather much but not too much and little but not too little. Translation: everyone had what they needed. Do you know how much you need? Not mammon, but manna? The first step in this biblical system for being fruitful begins with answering the question, “How much manna is enough?”
You can never answer this question as long as you refuse to understand the difference between manna and mammon. The next step is to ask the rest of the question: “How much manna is enough. . . to accomplish the business vision God has given me?” On Monday, we’ll find out how to answer this seminal question and what to do with the answer. If you’re serious about being fruitful and multiplying, then you need a system that lets you discern manna from mammon and brings your business into right action.
Monday will conclude Eric’s guest writing series and on Tuesday we will be announcing the details for a special FREE offer that will help you get control of your business life, so don’t miss these important emails.
Also, did you miss Eric’s first message or the video clip of him speaking? You can see them here.
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August 10th, 2007 at 7:18 am
How much is enough is a great question. And I am afraid most Christians do not know the correct biblical answer> To many Christians worship God for what He gives us or what He can do for us rather than God for how He is. Contentment is an ugly word for most Christians yet it is what we are commanded to do.
Most Christians operate their business, lives, and their finances just like a lost person. Materialism has taken over in our churches. It is interesting that God told Israel to gather just enough for one day, I wonder what the average American Christian would have done?
August 10th, 2007 at 9:33 am
It makes me think. There’s the “feeding my family” enough and then there is the “fulfilling God’s plan within my sphere of influence” enough. My guess is that stewarding God’s resources would imply the latter and probably involve a greater amount of manna…”If you love me, then feed my sheep”…
August 10th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Kern,
Once again you want to malign believers and make sweeping generalizations that most Christians don’t know what you know. Matt 7:1-6.
Contentment isn’t an ugly word. It is a word that has been twisted and turned for centuries and used maliciously to control unlearned servants of Christ and prevented them from being diligent at what the Father has put in their hearts to do and their hands to accomplish.
The minute a person speaks of making a profit or growing their business, those who think they are spiritual, want to come along and crush the vision. Which I might add that the individual trying to sway someone away from fulfilling their vision might be tampering with what the Father laid on this person’s heart to accomplish.
This is why we are not to judge at all. A person’s motives about why they do anything will be handled in due time. I’ve seen it countless times. Every chance someone gets to expound their belief of what the word contentment means, it is usually just another form of bondage and another way to encourage one to be a slacker.
Contentment isn’t about gathering or keep from gathering. It’s knowing that regardless of what happens in a day, whether I just made $10,000,000 or lost all my worldly belongings and the sherriff is at the front door evicting me, I am not to hang my hat on that loss or gain.
This is what Paul describes in Philippians 4:10-20.
I am to give praise and worship to the Father because of who He is and what He is doing in my life to transform me into the likeness of His Son.
That is why it is extremely important to listen to the Father and act on what He is showing you to do, seek counsel before you move forward, but not put your hope in the accomplishment or the loss of accomplishing anything.
August 10th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I look forward to the last installment. Also, I just want you to know that I read and contemplate comments as well as the blog or lesson at hand. I have found much treasure in comments over time.
August 10th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
“Ouch” to Woody Quinones’ response. Sorry, Woody, but I did not hear a judgmental, paternalistic tone in Kern’s reponse or in Beck’s article. What I do hear is a call to each of us to listen directly to God for what of His resources He would have us use and how we should use them. I think you will agree that the answer is probably different for each of us. Some may require a great deal of money to accomplish the destiny to which He has called us, some may require little. Neither is “more Christian” than the other. Nor is there any one defined amount at which we ought to feel contentment. The key here is our relationship with the creator of all resources and our willingness to be in obedience to His call on our lives.
August 10th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Bob,
My comment is only directed at Kern’s comment.
I’ve been following his posts for approximately 6 months. And every chance he gets it’s all about putting down Christians, speculating that Christians are just a depraved as the lost, we don’t know what contentment really means, and we run our businesses like the lost, and now his latest comment is this:
“And I am afraid most Christians do not know the correct biblical answer”
This is judging people and putting oneself above others. It’s argumentative and takes away from this forum’s purpose, which is to learn how we can be better at business using principles right from the scriptures.
His posts steal away from every topic Mr. Pink writes on. If you have any doubt, read through the archives. With Kern it’s all about bashing brothers and sisters in Christ either through subtle comments or out right put downs.
August 10th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Woody,
If I have offended you Woody, please forgive me.
If you have followed my post you notice that I always use most Christians or a lot of Christians. I think it was Billy Graham who said” 70 percent of church members are lost.” I do post against the idea that everyone should be rich or even everyone should pursue riches. Yes many Christians do run their business like the lost. Many of our churches are run like a business. Do all, No, but far too many do.
I believe that materialism has infiltrated our churches and our thinking that we have taken it as biblical. Contentment has become a lost virtue.
Where are those that are giving up retirement in Florida, collecting sea shells and playing golf and going on mission trips to the 3rd world countries. Most not all, Christians are to busy planning and saving for retirement on the beach in my opinion. Where are the risk takers, where are the people that are ready to die for Christ.
I hope many Christians will wake up and become radical for Christ.
Kern
August 10th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Kern,
Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter about John?
In John 21 Jesus kept asking Peter, “Lovest thou me?” and commanded him “Feed My Sheep”. I’m sure you remember the account.
But when you get to verses 20-22 we read this unusual attitutude change of Jesus towards Peter:
Joh:21:20: Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
Joh:21:21: Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Joh:21:22: Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me.
Regardless what some, many or all Christians choose to be, do or accumulate, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.”
The Father is so powerful and awesome that He will sort out what some, many or all Christians choose to be or do with their gift of life.
If they choose to be rich now and comforted, well that is their choice, however they will suffer loss in the life to come. But they are allowed to choose like it or not. Going on about it doesn’t change a thing.
As for the contentment argument you constantly post about, you tend to leave off the first part. Godliness as spoken about in 1 Timothy 6.
Content or contentment are not virtues and do not address moral issues. It is being personally satisified with one’s lot and cannot be seen by others. I can be unsaved and be content with my job. It doesn’t make me any more virtuous or moral.
Virtues are about general moral excellance, chastity, moral qualities that are good and that can be seen by others. For example: If a cashier gave me to much change back and I discovered it later, I would go back and let them know and hand it over.
You are getting bogged down in what others are not doing, but like Jesus said to Peter: “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.”
Jesus warned us that these days would come. They are here. Now instead of focuing on what other believers or churches are or are not doing, put your efforts into following the Master.
1Tm:6:11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
You will note that we are not to keep tabs on others.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
All,
Like some of you, I was raised in Church to imagine that the only safe course to salvation is poverty — the destitute need not fear an obsessive love of wealth. Yet, many early impressions of Christianity just do not seem to match the bible very well.
I am blessed, much more than I deserve. God does not love us in theory he also provides tangible care for us. Some hard years in consulting have affirmed this to my family.
I am interested in practicle aspects of contentment. When have I been given much for “such as time as this?” Will the Lord restore the “years the locusts have eaten” or have I just been handed a lesson in persistence?
To me, some of these questions are neither neat nor clear. The only thing I have learned — in harder lesson than I may have wished — is that God does tangibly care for us as well. Some times, even innocent, we need to get out of harms way. Some times, Job’s patience serves some higher cause which we shall left to guess about for years.
In the USA, the question of how much is too much is a really serious problem to consider.
We know that whether rich or in want, learning the secret of contentment was worth the while of the Apostle Paul. I would like to hear more — so long it remains respectful of God and practical.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Yes, we are to keep each other accountable. Ie..Paul when he challenged Peter. Not being busy bodies but we are to hold each other accountable. “if you see your brother in sin, go and speak to him.”
I am just being observant that we are not doing all that we should. The church in American is losing ground more and more each year. We need another great awakening here in America. We need pastors to teach and preach God’s Word uncompromising and with love and boldness.
Yes, I should put more effort in becoming more like Christ and with God’s grace and mercy, I will follow Him more and more. As much as this fallen man can.
August 10th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Kern,
You said:
“I am just being observant that we are not doing all that we should. The church in American is losing ground more and more each year. We need another great awakening here in America.”
What makes you think we are losing ground? Because you don’t see it. This reminds me of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19.
Elijah feared that he was the only one left, because all of Isreal had torn down the Lord’s altars, killed the prophets and turned away from the Lord. Get this the Lord’s chosen people did this.
He cried to the Lord claiming he’s the only one left and they seek to kill him. But the Lord told him that there were 7000 men still in Israel that had not bent the knee to Baal or kissed his idol.
So don’t think for one minute we are losing ground.
There are more missionaries sent today from America then ever before in the history of our nation or any nation for that matter.
Christians nationwide give over $20 billion dollars a year to foreign missions from all denominations combined.
More people are hearing the gospel preached, through satellite telecommunication transmissions, which comes from America and is broadcast around the world.
Bibles, tracts and Christian literature is sent from America to every nation on the planet in the tens of millions then ever before in history.
You said:
“We need another great awakening here in America. We need pastors to teach and preach God’s Word uncompromising and with love and boldness.”
Down here in the South we have tons of preachers that do this. Guess what. No change. This is not what we need.
We need to do what the Father says to do. His word states it the best.
“2Ch:7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
So instead of looking at what others are or are not doing, begin to pray that all people of America, saved and lost will do as the Father asks any nation to do.
Remember it’s the fervant prayer of a righteous man the availeth much.
Let me ask you and others looking on, do you mourn and weep and cry out to the Father asking Him to forgive our nation?
Will you join me and intercede on behave of our nation, leaders and American families?
No one need respond by posting. Just begin doing it. What the Father sees in secret, He will reward you openly.
August 11th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
It is true that we are giving money and sending missionaries but other countries for the first time are sending missionaries to America.
Woody you are right when you said the church will not parish. In Matthew Jesus said “Christ’s Triumphant Commitment to Build His church
In Matthew 16:15 Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers in verse 16, “You are the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of the living God.” To this Jesus says in verse 17-18, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (18) I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” In other words, “On you, my authoritative apostle, and my inspired proclaimer of the gospel, I will build my church. I will build my church on the apostolic word.”
What I want to drive home here is the triumphant authority of this promise. World missions is not ultimately dependent on human initiative or human wisdom or human perseverance. It is ultimately dependent on the power and wisdom and faithfulness of the risen and living Christ to keep this promise: “I will build my church.” Not, “You will build my church.” Or, “Missionaries will build my church.” Or, “Pastors will build my church.” But, “I will build my church.”
We need a powerful call to make disciples and prepare elders for new churches in the age of Jihad, by avoiding unnecessary controversy, being saturated with the Bible, and throwing yourself into difficult ministry where boldness in the Word is necessary. He said the outrageous truth that Jihad is a gift to the American church. Why?
1. Because it forces the nominal Christian bluff; either we get make disciples and plant churches or we will be converted. Islam is out to take the world.
2. It produces economic instability so we are pressed toward the wartime lifestyle we should have been living all along.
3. It helps us identify with the church in the rest of the world, which has known this threat and instability all along. Now we can learn how to prepare elders for the real church.
4. It presses us to center the discipling of our children in the home, because the church building and Pastor John may be blown up anyway. You can’t lean on the building or the preacher.
5. It wakes us up to the glorious truth that in the end what matters is the resurrection with Christ. To live is Christ and to die is gain.
Today, there are millions of people in the world who have not heard the gospel. We need many missionaries and disciples to take the gospel today.
Many Christians are leaving the church and giving up or joining the cults. Many young between the ages of 18 and 35 are leaving the church in droves and most are not returning. Many are going to eastern religions.
In the end, the church will prevail, but like Israel, if we do not turn from our wicked ways, God can remove his blessing from us and we will suffer like Israel for a season. I am talking about mainly the church in America.
August 11th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Kern,
I couldn’t agee with you more in your last post.
However, this is a Business Forum about biblical principles to be better at our business calling.
Life is not one demensional. Taking the focus off the topic spoken does not assist those of us wanting to know more about what Mr. Pink and currently Mr. Beck have to offer.
Your posts remind me of the old Baptist preacher that no matter what pearls of wisdom the Father showed him to share with his congregation somehow tithing and baptism had to be included.
Simply stay on topic. Expound on the topic being brought forth. If you believe that this issue of contentment is so vital than buy a domain and put up a webpage and take it from there.
Do your part as you claim the rest of us are not doing.
August 11th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
As a child of God, saved by the grace and blood of a risen Jesus Christ, Son of God, we are a member of the Royal Family of God. Think about the royal families we know of on earth. Is not the Royal Family of God a greater royal family? As heirs to the family, our Father God watches over and wants to bless us if we allow Him to do so.
When the Lord God brought the Israelites (a picture of us as Christians) out of Egypt, it was His intention to lead them directly to the Promised Land. However, as we all know, because the Israelites chose to follow mammon and not God, they wandered for 40 years. During those 40 years, God provided for them because they were His children, members of the Royal Family of God. As any loving father would do, God provided for them despite them straying away from His commands and instruction. However, God wanted to give them the greater blessing of the Promised Land where they were going to inherit the homes, lands, palaces, crops, livestock, minerals, water, fields, fruits, etc of the peoples that lived there. God was and did drive them out or destroyed them and gave this to His children.
God wants to bless us as His children. However, He demands we love Him and serve Him every day and every minute of every day. God understands were have carnal natures and the flesh of sin. He understands we will err; however, we have a covenant with God through His Son Jesus Christ that He will forgive us if we are quick and just to confess our sins daily and keep serving Him. God leads, we follow. God blesses, we receive. How God chooses to bless us is between God and the Christian He is blessing. It is not up to us to judge God’s actions or inactions.
Throughout God’s Word, He constantly challenges and exhorts us to understand we are a member of His Royal Family, we are joint heirs to His blessings, and we can ask of God to meet our needs. If we seek wealth or riches to satisfy pride or lust, we seek or ask amiss. If we serve our God daily, seek His wisdom and guidance, and seek Him to guide our steps, there is no sin in obtaining wealth or riches. Christians that truly love God and serve Him daily and are blessed with wealth or riches typically give much of what God has given them to the church, to the poor, to missions, or to ordinary people who have a justifiable need. And, to those who are able to be good stewards of what God gives to them, God will give more. To whom much is given, much is required.
God has blessed me each year by putting me in a position to earn greater wealth. However, I don’t seek it. To me that is contentment. And, I have been and am very aware that what God has given me and continues to give me is His, and I have a responsbility to give of what God has given me, and to give liberally to the church, to missions, to the poor, and to whatever or whomever God directs me to give it.
I run a company. My prayer and heart’s desire in running the company is first to honor God by running the company in a way that brings glory and honor to His name; second, to provide an atmosphere where people can come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour or Christians can become sanctified; third, generate constant and increasing revenues so I can protect the jobs and provide security to the associates of the company and they can have peace and contentment; and fourth, do a good job as the President so I can provide quality returns to my earthly masters (the Chairman and CEO, the President of the parent company, and the shareholders). If the company does well, not only does the associates in the company benefit, but so do I. However, as God is my witness, whether I benefit materially from it is not my goal. Sure, I want to make my salary and retain my job to provide for my family, my grandchildren yet to be born, their children if God tarries, to provide for my parents and my wife’s parents when they can no longer provide for themselves, to provide for my brothers and sisters or brothers and sisters-in-law and their children, when needed.
If money, riches, wealth, or power becomes your god, then, yes, there is an issue as a Christian. You have your god and priorities wrong. That is flat out sin. If you serve God and His Son Jesus Christ, then you are a member of the Royal Family and you are entitled to certain benefits, access, and privileges not accorded to the heathen. What you do with what you are given will tell where your heart truly lies and who your god truly is because you cannot serve God and mammon.
August 11th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I do not think you can separate your business principles and your personal principles. Many try to live different lives personally and conduct their business life a different way. Like I have heard some politicians say they can separate their religion from the way they vote. They are kidding themselves. How you handle your finances should be the same in both situations.
This is the last of time to discuss this as I agree to disagree with you. I have done a lot of biblical financial counseling and that is when most people get into trouble is when they try to separate their personal lives from their business lives. It cannot be done.
August 11th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Hello Kern & Woody… I appreciate the discussion between you both. Having followed your posts for some time I do not think you fellas are getting aligned with each other in your thinking. For example Kern, I am sure that Woody in no way thinks for a moment that you should separate the way you live your personal life and your business life in terms of the guiding principles. Woody seems to believe and I agree that life is multi-dimensional. Integrity after all is living a fully integrated life and we should integrate our faith into every aspect of our life including business, which is what this forum is all about.
I appreciate you both taking the time to put your passion out for all to see. Sometimes in the disucssion and the give and take we learn more than we otherwise would have, especially if we have to defend a position we hold dear.
This forum is a labor of love for me. I want my brothers and sisters who are called to the business arena to succeed for all the right reasons. I for one am learning constantly, especially from the rainforest model which has helped me greatly in the role of Endowment Director for what will be a radically new school of business. The initial goal for the endowment is $100 million. We are about 25% of the way there raising $15 million in the last 90 days. It is going to take money to build this school and to pass on the incredible insights God is giving us. I am bursting with excitement just thinking about what will be introduced very soon. I hope you all will want to take advantage of the school when it is formally announced. (It is not going to be a school for high school kids to go next. It is being designed for working professionals but with some very unique distinctives. Stay tuned.) Blessings my friends.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
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August 13th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Kern,
That’s precisely why our system of business is called Total Integration. When you cut something apart, it dies. http://www.totalintegrationprogram.com
It is only the enemy that seeks to disintegrate what God has intended to be together. Marriage, families, the body, our minds, any animal or plant, everything God created is a model of integration. Cancer is the embodiment of disintegration.
PS on the next blog I tried to clear up what I mean by “how much is enough”. Here’s a link to that post.