The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work
life is to reflect Christ in and through our lives. It is an attitude that says
our work is to have an overriding "ministry" objective to it. Our work is our
worship to God. These two words even originate from the same Hebrew word,
avodah.
Robert Laidlaw was born in Scotland in 1885, but grew
up in New Zealand. Born to Christian parents, he committed his life fully to the
Lord when he was 17. Laidlaw began working in a hardware merchant company as a
traveling sales representative when he was 19. Later he had the idea for a
mail-order catalogue business that sold everything imaginable including
underwear, groceries, cosmetics, and farm equipment, all at bargain-basement
prices. His concept proved successful and his business later merged with the
Farmer's Union Trading Company. He became general manager and held that position
for 50 years.
But this is not the most significant thing that can be
said about Robert Laidlaw. He understood that his work life was a tool to affect
others for Jesus Christ. He began giving ten percent of his income early in his
business life. Later, however, he entered this into his journal: "September
1919, age twenty-five. I have decided to change my earlier graduated scale, and
start now giving half (fifty percent) of all my earnings." This he continued for
the next 60 years. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago,
Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 351.
The result of that commitment was countless numbers
affected for Jesus Christ through the resources he gave to mission groups and
other worthy Christian causes. He was personally involved in ministry. He wrote
a small book that gave a thoughtful answer to basic questions about life and
faith. It was titled The Reason. Many hundreds of thousands came to faith in
Christ because of this 46-page booklet. He publicly spoke to many of his faith
in Christ and became very involved in the Soldier's and Airmen's Association
when World War II broke out. Robert Laidlaw understood what it meant to view
business with an overriding ministry objective.
Does the Lord have complete control of your life? If
so, you will be able to see your business life as an extension of His life in
you. Let the Lord live in and through your business life today.
Excerpted with permission from the book TGIF Today God
Is First, by Os Hillman, copyright 2000, Destiny Image Publishers, Reprinted by
permission. For free daily email subscription to TGIF Today God Is First
marketplace meditations, visit
www.marketplaceleaders.org (Os Hillman)
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.