Glorifying God in Business.
It is a quite common question, whether it is possible for one to glorify God in his business, or in any one of these commonplace callings men are accustomed to follow. Does not a worldly avocation, no matter what it is, force a Christian to become to a greater or less extent worldly? The trouble with most people is that their callings absorb their attention, their energy, their time. Can one's very business help him to draw nearer God? And is this the Scripture teaching? There is no need of hesitation in giving a reply to this. Any calling, in itself decent, and useful, and honest, can surely become one of the chief means of "growth in grace," from its first dollar earned, to its last and highest reach of riches and honorable success. The entire question turns on one's consecration of the calling to God's service and glory. If a Christian merchant or mantuamaker, Lydia dyeing stuffs with Tyrian purple, or Paul sewing cilicia tents, loves Christ supremely, and gives the business patiently and honestly to him, then business is an accepted instrument in fitting that Christian for Heaven. "Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." That is to say, if our whole lives are simply lived to God's glory, every act in them is honorable, and may be consecrated so as to be helpful. Of course, the same principle holds, and exhibits itself more easily, whenever we come up a step and consider our callings. "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." When business life is for Christ, questions need not be asked any further; every act reminds one irresistibly of Christ; he murmurs to himself, "This for thee, this for thee, my Saviour." When business hinders one's devotion, a fear may well be started whether it is a legitimate business in itself, whether its end and aim is the great glory of God.—Sel.