Doing Business with the World

I don't read the New International Version much but consider it a viable translation of the Bible. Nevertheless, it receives a lot of unnecessary flak, particularly from King James Onlyists. One reason is that it supposedly has missing verses. Some critics believe it’s satanically inspired. A misleading Facebook post that’s appeared several times in my news feed claims: “NIV was published by Zondervan but is now OWNED by Harper Collins, who also publishes the Satanic Bible and The Joy of Gay Sex.”

The New International Version’s copyright is owned by the nonprofit ministry Biblica (formerly International Bible Society). Zondervan and its parent company HarperCollins is licensed to publish the NIV but doesn’t oversee its content. It should be pointed out that HarperCollins has a separate Christian division that also includes Thomas Nelson, a publisher of books by Billy Graham and Max Lucado plus Bibles including the King James Version!


Some will argue Christians shouldn’t be “unequally yoked” with non-believing businessmen. There’s a difference between being in a partnership and being a customer. I boycott selected companies when there are better alternatives. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”


However, some products and services are necessary. A church will pay for water and electricity from utility companies that likely provide the same service for liquor stores and strip clubs. Christian record companies have signed deals with secular distributors to reach more buyers even if they don’t agree with other products the conglomerate handles. TV preachers buy airtime on secular stations to reach viewers who might not otherwise go into a church.


As a young Christian, I heard a powerful teaching tape on prosperity by Willie George that ministered to me. The Lord once directed Willie to do business with two realtors who were “shacking up.” Eventually, the couple knocked on his door one night at 11:00 and said, “We want to get saved.” Willie led the realtors to the Lord without saying anything about them living together. They got married six weeks later. 


Another time someone asked Willie if he knew a good Spirit-filled lawyer. Willie replied, “Do you want a good lawyer or one who's Spirit-filled?” Sadly, some so-called Christian businessmen don’t always follow Biblical standards. Therefore, it’s wise to pray and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit before agreeing to a business deal with anyone.


The bottom line is that believers are in the world but not of it. Not everyone can live like Elijah by a brook with ravens feeding him (1 Kings 17). Fulfilling the Great Commission involves interacting with people. That includes buying and selling from individuals who don’t know Him yet. Over the years, I’ve led many cashiers to salvation. The Lord can do the same through you.


“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” - John 17:14-15 (NIV)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

Is That Gold Dust Real?

Image
Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed. I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching. Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some w
Read more