You are more than a Businessman

 

You are more than a Businessman! 

 

Have you ever thought that you are already in a mission field? When hundreds of unreached people are around you in your business ventures and right where you stay, you need not wait for a Sunday evening outreach or wait for a missionary or wait till God calls you for “full-time ministry” to go and reach them. You are the most appropriate person to reach the people around you (the people of your own caliber, profession and the large number of customers you come across). In short, you are a “missionary” (who shares the gospel with others). The business house where you work and the place where you stay are your mission fields. A “Christian Businessman” like you can contribute a lot in fulfilling the command “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO ALL CREATION” (Mk: 16:15 NIV). We call them as a “Tent Maker”. You too can become a “Tent Maker” by spreading the gospel to the people around you.

 

One Step Beyond:

 

The world is rolling on and advancing.  Here is a chance for you to think beyond and act for the kingdom of God. Why to be in the same geographical area where there is somebody to show the love of Christ or where there is at least one person to share the Gospel? You can take it as a challenge to go (start a business in a new place etc.) to an un-evangelized place or country as a “Businessman” with the single motive of spreading the aroma of Christ in that place or country. Many places and countries, which are closed to the gospel, are open for Business people. You can use your profession or skill to gain access to a place for the purpose of communicating Christ through your life and witness.

 

“Tentmakers are disciples of Jesus Christ, called by God and commissioned by God’s people to make disciples and build His church, who use their professional skills to facilitate their ministry”

 

TAKE A STEP BEYOND FOR CHRIST

 

Mission Fields at Your Reach:

 

Ø       Other Businessmen.

Ø       Employees

Ø       Customers

Ø       People living around you.

 

What Can You Do?

 

Ø       Consider yourself as a missionary and show the love of Christ in words and action. You can be a powerful witness for the gospel.

Ø       Build good relationship with your employees, customers, other business people and neighbors and spend quality time with them.

Ø       Make use of every opportunity to share the gospel in a meaningful way.

Ø       Start an evangelistic Bible study with the people who are open to the gospel. This can be changed to discipleship Bible study later.

Ø       Connect new contacts to any good local Church.

Ø       If no churches are there, start a worship group and contact missions for help.

Ø       Use the remaining time in helping the local churches / missionaries in that area or any other local ministries.

Ø       Motivate / encourage others in becoming a “Tent Maker”.

 

Where to Start?

 

Ø First seek God’s will to find where He wants you to go.

Ø Collect information about that place and start praying.

Ø Look for new business openings in that place.

Ø Prepare yourself for this new task.

·   Start learning the language.

·   Build relationships with local people and colleagues.

·   Learn to share the gospel in practical, creative and effective ways.

·   Lead Prayer Groups or Bible studies.

·   Spend quality personal time with God.

·   Develop good personal character.

·   Gain basic biblical and mission knowledge.

·   Gain /develop talents (Such as learning musical instruments)

Ø Find a good support system (either church / mission / prayer groups). This is needed very much for your prayer, pastoral care and if necessary financial support. This will also increase your accountability.

 

Dare to Be Different:

You should be prepared to be different from other businessmen whose priorities are different. Since a Tentmaker’s challenge is to start a business with the sense of mission, to make disciples and to build His kingdom. You may be open for the following.

Ø    Ready to take up new business in an un-reached people group in the society. It may be in your town or in any other place.

Ø    Be willing to do any business even though the profit may be less compared to the present one.

Ø    Avoid heavy business responsibilities. This will take away your precious time and strength which can be invested in God’s kingdom.

Ø    Don’t compare yourself with a person who is doing a business with “business” motive. You are a kingdom businessman.

Ø    Go to a place for ministry and start a business for your earning. Don’t go to a place for business and do ministry only if time permits. (Prioritize).

 

An Example:

 

            Mr. Lawrence (name changed), a believer, is a Mechanical Engineer who runs a business in the “Automobile Industry”. He was involved in the revival of the local church which was spiritually dead for years. He was instrumental in bringing out creative plans for the improvement. He invested quality time everyday, in building the body of Christ and spent good portion of his income in the church. When the church property was about to be domesticated by the government, he was instrumental in settling the issue in a wise way. Even though he has left that place now, the church stand as a “Revival Testimony” for his investment of time and money, as a kingdom businessman.

 

Wait a minute….

Do you have a specific call for “full-time ministry”? If YES, “Tentmakers” ministry is not for you. Obey your call. If NO, dare to be different by becoming a “Tentmaker”.

 

For More Information:

Log onto http://imaindia.org

 

India Missions Association

Post Box 36 (or) 1-300/118, Arul Colony,

ECIL Post, Hyderabad 500 062, AP - India.

( (91) 040 - 27134530 / 5

E-Mail: tentmakers@imaindia.org

 

Interserve (INDIA)

2/22 Annapurna, New Era Society

Marketyard, Pune 411037

( (91) 020 - 4274849 / 4272768

E-Mail: isvindia@vsnl.com