Thanks for your thought-provoking interview with Matt Gillogly.

For us Christians who want to please Jesus, there’s always a tension between our earthly and heavenly focus.

On one hand, we have to earn enough money for our needs (not wants), but on the other, what do we do with the surplus? How best can we glorify Jesus with the bounty He provides us?

Matt made some interesting suggestions in this regard.

The apostle Paul warns his young protégé Timothy, “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:8-9).

As Christian entrepreneurs we should be building for eternity, not making our lives as comfortable and stress-free in this world as we can (as do those who have only this world to look forward to).

Along these lines, do you think you could land an interview with Christian copywriting legend Jim Rutz? Would be very interesting to hear his Christian testimony and words of wisdom.

On a different tack, I came across this website recently, which may interest you and your blog readers (especially if they live in the US):

http://www.revivalschool.com/disasters.html

Your brother in Jesus,

Eldo

Further to my email, I thought that both you and Matt are quite sober and serious about being Christians and entrepreneurs at the same time, while trying to honour the Lord at the same time – as the interview reveals. Matt certainly sounds like he has gone through the ringer (as has happened to me recently, in a so-called business “partnership” with a Christian).

I like your discussion about entrepreneurship being as noble a profession, for a Christian, as is the ministry or missionary work. However, I noted that the discussion waned when you discussed this situation: I am really in this business for an ulterior motive – to use the funds that come from this to honour the Lord in helping dogs, the poor, destitute, etc. Matt’s response is good: what if God doesn’t bless you then, with success? Is He still worthy of your adoration, etc. ? I know this is a difficult one, because mixed motives always tend to to confuse.

So, perhaps, the motive is, as it states in James 4:13 is not say that we will buy and sell and make gain (profit) but one should rather say (James 4:15) if the Lord wills we will do this or that. It is ironic that James 5:1ff follows after and comments on the rich. But that is a topic for another time! Certainly, the profit motive (iin the wider sense than merely monetary, but psychic, which includes more than dollars) is a fundamental driver. However, for the Christian, his primary duty is Mt 6:33 – to seek the kingdom of God and its realisation in one’s life and the society around one.

Hence, the other part of the converation was really good: that rather than Christians creating Christian ghettos, that monies be used for a cause greater than the individual – to take back the societal reigns for Christ.

Thanks again for the interview. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

Troy.

Thank you for commenting, I really appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed the interview (I learned a lot from it, too).

Ben

I stumbled across your site a few months ago as I was looking for swipe file information. Looks like I found a keeper.

Jim
http://www.SBDCouncil.clom
http://www.JRSolutions.com