Focus: God's Businessman

Text: Song of Sol.8:11

"Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver."

The Song of Solomon is an inspired book of Love, and one unique thing about love is that it labors for the good of others and transacts its business wisely and gainfully. That is to say that love is a good steward. Our text presents Solomon as owner of a vineyard, who employs keepers to take care of his vineyard business and make certain returns to him. Baalhamon is the place where the vineyard is located, which in Hebrew means 'lord of multitude' or 'one who owns something in large quantities.' It is possible that Solomon owns a great number of vineyards, and always in the business of letting them out to good, wise and faithful stewards who in turn maximize profits for him.

Solomon is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ says to the Jews of His day, "Behold, a greater than Solomon is here" (Mt.12:42). Christ is our Solomon - the wisest, richest and greatest King. Every Christian is Christ's employee. We are involved in His kingdom enterprise. Believing in Christ results in working for Him. By believing He brings us into the Father's business. He says, "I must be about my Father's business," and Paul admonishes us to be "not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord" (Rom.12:11). In Isa.48:17, God says, "I am the LORD thy God which TEACHETH THEE TO PROFIT, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go." In Luke 19:13, Jesus says, "Occupy till I come." The word 'occupy' is more than filling a space. In Greek it means 'to trade or do business with.' In fact the English word 'pragmatic' is derived from it. So every child of God is in business with God, and in this business of heaven we should be pragmatic - totally down-to-earth, thorough and diligent. No room for indolence or passivity.

Christ wants profit. Everyone must bring in a certain gain. No one should arrive heaven empty-handed. There will be no room for excuses. He has given us power to make wealth. He has given us gifts and talents. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. The Spirit of God lives in us. We lack nothing that he hasn't supplied. We are adequately and sufficiently equipped. We can't afford to tell Him stories of failure and defeat. Let us be faithful and successful in our work.

You are God's businessman. Bring to Him your gains. He has invested so much in you. All you need He has provided. He has given you the favor required for your labor to produce abundantly. Be it known to you that the Lord Jesus Christ has absolute right to reap what He has sown in our lives. So bring to Him the gains of the marketplace. Let God be glorified in you and with you.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter