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Men are big on what they make. God is big on WHY they make it. God’s top priority is the motive behind the front-facing life we present to the world.

Scripture so eloquently highlights the vast gulf between the celebrity culture we steep our emotions in and pour our attention upon, and the way of the Spirit:

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV)

The height of his stature…

The people she knows…

The bank balance he boasts, or the clothes that she wears…

The car that they drive, and the house which they own…

How about:

The time they spend in prayer?

The service they offer to their neighbor?

The cleanness of their thoughts, and intentions of their heart?

The loving way they live, and the peace they distribute?

The death they have died to self, and the resurrection life they now display?

Why do you do what you do?

“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 AMP)

God’s right here. His penetrating eye sees clearly, “…the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 WEYMTH)

Jeremiah points out in no uncertain words:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV)

This should be a sobering thought for us, especially as salesmen and women. And before you run off thinking you are not selling anything, hang tight. You are!

Each of us has a window we sell to the world, that persona who’s plastered on the public wall.

No way am I suggesting that we can get caught in the game.

I’m not for a moment insinuating that our public and private lives sometimes stand in stark contrast to one another, with a less than perfect life behind the door, and a carefully cultivated image displayed through the various windows we choose to populate.

Not at all. Never. Well, maybe…

But there’s something deeper to consider. The whitewashed world we immerse our attention in is just what it is. The world loves the world and vanity is the norm. What else could we expect, and how can a man not be burned if he stands in the middle of the flames? Case in point, be careful what you consume, you might begin to think it’s real.

Deep to Deep In The Refinery

Dig down to the heart and consider the unplumbed divisions that show up only when we allow deep to call to deep. The ability of our own heart to convince us that we are right and pure, without guile or guise, and purely driven, is quite remarkable.

Think of Peter insisting that he would stand with Jesus whatever may come.

Or the rejection in John in his early discipleship insisting that calling down fire on an unresponsive town was the best course of action to teach them a lesson.

How about Thomas faced with the reality of Messiah’s tomb? Judas tempted by the money purse?

Testing has a tendency to reveal motives that lurk dark below the surface, only showing themselves when the heat is switched.

Step Willingly Into The Fire

Once we stand in the blazing light of Jesus’ presence, the impurities rise to the surface. Better to willingly let Him sift and sizzle them as Savior, rather than wait until you stand before Him as Judge.

God will allow frustrations to boil to the surface. He’ll put flame to your motives to see what remains. The care and concern that the Father has for your soul does not always manifest in ways that that agree with your comforts.

Malachi said that God “sits as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Mal. 3:3).

I read recently about a student who visited a silversmith to watch him at work. Sitting alongside the craftsman he observed him hold the piece of silver in the center of the fire where the flames are hottest to burn away the impurities.

The silversmith remained intently focussed, never turning his attention away.

The student asked why the silversmith had to sit carefully watching over the process at all times. The smith answered that he had to keep his eyes on the silver every second because if the silver were left for a moment too long in the testing fires it would be destroyed.

“You must leave it just long enough to serve its purpose,” he said, “and not a second longer.”

“And how do you know when the purpose is fulfilled and the silver is ready?” Asked the student.

The silversmith smiled, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”

Despite our best western efforts to wriggle out of the implications of some of the things Jesus taught about money, there’s no getting away from an intrusive truth that barges into our culture of accumulation and achievement addiction.

The richest man or woman on earth is not the one with the most money!

In earthly terms, maybe? But at a living, breathing, heart, and soul level you can gain the whole world and yet completely miss the point. No man is poorer than the person who does not know Jesus.

I often wonder if we pursued contentment and gratitude with the save avid intent we chase dollars how much richer we would become. Instead of tomorrow’s hope of more-bigger-and-better stealing today’s joyful appreciation of all we have to be thankful for right now, our lives would overflow with a grateful recognition of God’s provision that trumps any earthly accolade.

And to be clear, I’m not against making money. Far from it. I believe that exchanging value is a God-sanctioned necessity through which we are equipped to serve others well and for the long term. Pitifully-poor is not pretty, nor is it inherently any more spiritual or holy than blisteringly-rich.

Here’s a statement of truly rich living:

“Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. ” (Philippians 4:11-12 AMP)

Elsewhere Paul instructed his apprentice, Timothy, and shared with him the little-known secret of the prosperous life:

“But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).” (1 Timothy 6:8 AMP)

How far removed from the relentless pursuit of stuff that overwhelms our almost every waking moment. What a magnificent ambition to focus on – rich, full, refreshing contentment.

Endless Pursuits

The endless bombardment to become rich, make more, be more, grow big, find followers, feel good, is so contrary to the peaceful pace of grace advocated in the Scriptures.

Here on one side we have the world with its mammon-size measuring stick judging your worth by the number of zero’s at the end of the bottom line number.

On the other, the owner of the entire universe warns…

“Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21 AMP)

Money is a heart issue. Attach your hopes and dreams to it, and it will run you off into the sunset, and soon enough into the dark of night. It parades itself as the promiser of a satisfied life, but rarely if ever delivers lasting satisfaction.

Too little, or too much, can compel us to forsake contentment and rage ourselves silly on the hamster-wheel of ambition.

The richest man is the one who wants for nothing.

I’m pretty sure that “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want,” (Psalm 23:1 NKJV) doesn’t mean that God will lavish upon me all I desire to the point of saturation, where there is not one more “want” I can muster to ask for.

“I shall not want,” quite frankly, sounds like an invitation to a peaceful existence freed from the painful pursuit of transitory things.

It speaks of a life so embraced by the Shepherd’s care that I no longer care what anyone else thinks.

It’s the day we awake to the truth that not only do we already have enough, we are enough! No additives required.

When was the last time you sat down secure, satiated fully by the Father’s overwhelming love?

When do you take time to lie back and float in the warm, still waters of wantlessness?

I think there’s treasure in those wantless waters that many of us have never tasted. The world can splash in the bloody and restless oceans all they like, but as for me and my house, I choose to follow my Shepherd to satisfactions the world can never offer.

Hope is an anchor, thrown and lodged in the presence of God. Through any storm below, our feeble life is held in place deep inside the eternal Presence.

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” (Hebrews 6:19 KJV)

On the floor, here in the stormy winds of life on earth, our boats would be battered on the rocks of disappointment were it not for a rich and living hope that stretches the chasm of time and takes hold of the eternal. Jesus is our assurance. His life, death, and resurrection offers the perspective that no earthly circumstances can dim.

Crossing To The Other Side

I love the way the New Testament relates the story of the disciples crossing the choppy Sea of Galilee in Matthew 14. “Go over to the other side,” Jesus instructs. Most of us know what it is to be crossing to an “other side.”

The other side may be financial freedom. It may be a strong and secure marriage. Maybe your other side is a satisfying job in which you are respected and appreciated or a breakthrough in ministry. The other side for some might be their child coming home or a sickness healed.

Rest assured, Hope has instructed you to cross over. Not to stay on the shore looking into the void. Hope has made His word known, and that word is your bridge to a better future.

The command to cross over does not come with any guarantees that the journey there will not pose challenges, however.

Tossing Waves & Contrary Winds

The disciples faced tossing waves and contrary winds.

I’m certain you have faced similar threats to your peace. God says one thing, and everything around is screaming otherwise. Been there, got the wet suit!

Hope is the anchor.

Hope stays attached to the Word, and the word is settled where? In Heaven.

Our life is connected to eternity through faithful Words that never fail.

Even the presence of God seemed like a specter in the face of the storm. The surly disciples’ previous bravado was left trembling. Even when Jesus emerged from the froth it seemed to them unbelievable that the other side was within their grasp. The harsh winds and bearing waves had all but dissipated their confidence.

Despite their cries, and in the face of their stark unbelief, here are the words that Hope spoke through the darkness.

“Be of good cheer! It is I, be not afraid!”

His word in Heaven to anchor our soul.

His presence on earth, walking above the storm, to cheer us.

Jesus first – everything else follows

Eyes on Him. Heart wrapped around His promises. Heart on fire with the lively expectation of eternal life, and disdain for the devil’s lies.

God’s words are active and carry the power of fulfillment within themselves. When He says, “Go to the other side,” the very words themselves, believed and received in the heart, are the bridge over the wildest waves.

What has God spoken to you? What anchor has He fixed deep within the veil for you to hold onto?

Keep rowing friend. Keep scooping out the water that threatens to sink your little ship. Not even stormy seas in darkest hours can stop your progress.

Jesus is no apparition. He is alive.

The storm may shout, but Jesus words are like many waters, drowning out the discouragement. He is faithful indeed, a living hope that can never be extinguished or calmed.

Culture is a dirty bowl in which we swim, blind to the world outside the foggy walls. When we’re immersed in something so thoroughly we lose awareness that it may well not be reality, or at least not reality in the fullest sense.

The world you think you inhabit, is formed to conform you to its image. No one in their right mind would wear some of the clothes we wear, until everyone is wearing them. The ideologies that at one time would have been clearly seen for their absurdity are now embraced as common progressive wisdom, even though they are just as dumb and nonsensical as they ever were.

Drip, drip, drip from our screens and devices, desensitizing us to right living, and eternal values. God and His holy nature and rule are sidelined in favor of the latest trend.

Here in the post-modern West (or are me now post-post modern? I’ve lost count of the milestones we have crossed) our culture is drowned in materialism, bowed obediently at the feet of the twin Gods of Accumulation and Accomplishment. Both are harsh taskmasters, never satisfied however much we lay at their feet.

Early mornings and late nights sacrifice family and health on the altar.

Oh, great god of repute and prestige, wouldst thou see fit to grant me an iPhone 13 plus pro max with an extra shot and a side of fries.

Immortal goddess, bless thy servant with seven more hours in thy appointed day of busyness to work the last few breaths of my skinny backside off.

Steeped!

How easy it is to fail to appreciate the pervasive nature of culture, and how hard to see beyond our own traditions. Our world is the world, just as the bowl of the goldfish is her vast kingdom, with glassy walls keeping her safely incarcerated.

This is why Paul was compelled to write:

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” (Romans 12:2 AMP)

God has a good, acceptable, indeed, perfect will for you, and surprise, surprise, it lays outside the bounds of present-day cultural norms.

His perfect way is not driven by market dynamics. The way of Christ is not herded by the modern heroes of stage and screen. It’s not measured by money, likes, follows, sales, subscribers, or man-made meters of any kind.

Awareness of our condition is not automatic. Just because we think we know our state doesn’t mean we actually do. It takes intentionality to extract ourselves from the greedy grip of modernity and reclaim the ancient paths.

“This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)

The alarming thing is the answer given by the people of Jeremiah’s day:

“We will not walk in it.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Are we saying the same thing when instead of ancient paths of peace we choose the frantic search for significance? When we forsake the abundant life in Christ to scramble for our piece of the world’s more-is-never-enough pie?

God’s ways are not heavy. His commandments are not burdensome.

John the beloved apostle so beautifully reminds us:

“This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:3–4 NIV)

Let the world scrap it out for the crumbs under the table. Instead, come sit with Christ and eat heartily of His truths and love.

Here as a starter is a juicy morsel from Isaiah. An appetizer to prepare your heart for a lifetime of feasting with the King:

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isaiah 55:1–3 KJV)

Bon Appetit!

Passion is a phrase that’s bandied around in entrepreneurial circles.

Discover your passion.

Follow your passion.

Live your passion.

Profit from your passion.

Build a business around your passion.

I’ve spoken those cute-sounding phrases myself several times.

In conversation with a serial software and blogging success story, Dave Chesson, recently he mentioned how much he hated such enticing expressions. Passion, he reminded me, comes from Latin root pati-, meaning suffering, or enduring.

Passion: From Late Latin passionem (nominative passio) “suffering, enduring,” from past-participle stem of Latin pati “to endure, undergo, experience, that which must be endured.”

Mel Gibson did not title his blockbuster movie, “The Passion of the Christ”, for no reason.

It wasn’t called, “The excitement of the Christ” or “The Obsessive Hobby of the Christ”, “The Things That Christ Really Likes To Do”.

Just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t guarantee success. Excitement and enthusiasm alone will not cut the rug when the pressure is on. And just because you are passionate about something doesn’t necessarily mean you can build a successful business pursuing it.

Yet we hear it all the time.

Another turn of phrase that’s often heard…

“If I can do this, anyone can do it!”

On a purely practical level, this may be true. Sure, we can press the same sequence of buttons.

However, experience shows that one marketer might run a certain promotion, set up a sales funnel, or run a webinar series, with startling results. Another person then jumps in and turns all the same handles, presses all the same buttons, and even says the same words, with decidedly different outcomes.

What gives?

It’s not just what a man makes that makes the difference. It’s the making of the man!

Just because Elon Musk can blast a rocket into space, doesn’t mean I can.

Just because Pedro Adao can rack up 8 fat figures from online challenges he runs does not mean I will see the same results.

I don’t have the same experience, abilities, connections, confidence. A host of factors I could excuse myself with. And these facts are not self depreciating, just honest. If you cannot gracefully accept who and where you are right now, how do you imagine you’ll become the person you one day will be?

But the real determiner is simply this. I am not Elon. I am not Pedro. I am David Lee Martin.

Quite frankly, I don’t want to be those fine folks!

God did not make me a carbon copy. He made me, me. He made you, you.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV)

His plans are no less impressive for you than anyone else. Plans to prosper you, to give you a vibrant hope, and a fruitful future. But it will be a future and hope in keeping with your personality.

That’s why it’s essential to work on yourself. Grow yourself. Encourage, embolden, educate, and edify yourself. Respect yourself, and do all you can to develop and use your gifts. Staring out of the window observing what everyone else is doing is not going to get you where you want to be.

Turn and look in the mirror, and appreciate what you see!

Understand that you are shaped by God for a purpose bigger than you can presently embody and seek to become the man or woman He needs you to be in order to fulfil His perfect plan for your life.

The Scriptures do say that “God is no respecter of persons” but this is spoken with reference to His righteousness. It doesn’t mean what He’s done for one He’ll do for another. God’s plan for your life is as real and true as it is for anyone else, but not identical.

Israel were God’s chosen people. Through miraculous intervention they were freed from slavery, patiently provided for and protected through 40 long years in the wilderness, brought gloriously into their promised land, and shaped by covenant for centuries to be the perfect people to birth Messiah.

No other nation was shaped to carry such responsibility.

They were shaped by suffering just as much as by covenant and care.

The same I believe is true for you and me.

God shapes the person we are through the things that we suffer. Passion molds our character and moves us to act despite the challenges we face along the way.

So let me warn you, entrepreneurial endeavors are not all glitter and glory. There’s many a night of tears before joy breaks out in the morning.

Why do I say all of this? Because I don’t want you stepping into the arena with rose-tinted spectacles expecting your journey to one without pain, and questions, and self-doubt, and fear, and fumbling, and failure. They come as a guaranteed part of the package.

Yes, the rewards are worth the risk, but you really do need to know who you are and be ready for God to build resilience into your spirit if you mean to step into building a business around your personality and passions. It will take more than just a fancy website and a little charisma.

Business is life. It takes heart, and not just an ‘inch-deep desire’ kind of passion to build successfully.

Be prepared to suffer for the things you want to make. To go through some gruelling examinations of your own limitations and mindsets. To stare failure in the face as well as embrace success.

At core just because someone else has done something successfully does not mean you can too. Because the person who has done that something has a history. They have been formed by their experiences, their mindsets have been shaped, their beliefs have been forged in many a fire.

Don’t take this as a discouragement. I’m not saying you cannot accomplish your dreams. I’m merely pointing out that character undergirds all our endeavors.

The building work often takes place inwardly as we step into our destiny. It’s a journey. We discover in the doing, and some of those discoveries will not be comfortable.

Be prepared to suffer along the way, knowing that God rewards the diligent.

Understand that faith has to be coupled with patience in order to possess the promise.

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12 KJV)

There root of the word patience? You guessed it, that Latin word for suffering, “pati”.

The King James is not joking when it describes the fruit of patience as longsuffering.

The decision to be an entrepreneur may usher you quickly and seamlessly into a life of untold riches. Sheesh, if the sales pages delivered on just 5% of their promises we’d all be rolling in the island sands sipping Pina-Coladas. Nothing is impossible.

But please don’t be disappointed if your dream of financial freedom and far-reaching fruit doesn’t happen overnight.

The making of a man or woman by the hand of God is not a quick turn of the wheel.

Allow patience to have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3–4 AMP)

If these words are not what you want to hear, or you choke on the idea that suffering is part of the parcel, leave now. It will save you a great deal of pain and disillusionment down the line.

Millions of people hop from one shiny object to the next, spend decades of their life shoveling money on course after course, product after product, promise after promise, and round the same wilderness mountain again and again, in the vain hope that’s there’s an easy painless pathway to prosperity.

There may well be, but rarely have I seen it, especially when someone is genuinely wanting to build a business around their own particular area of passionate expertise or personality.

It is possible, and I’m walking this out myself alongside many others, but not without pain. Not without some sleepless nights. Not without the hard yards figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

The rewards are worth fighting for, but those rewards are not just monetary. The real reward is becoming the person God needs you to be in order to fulfil the great purpose that He has placed you on the planet for.

You are in the business of becoming. God is making the man or woman you are called to be. From that foundation, your business will be built.