Lesson 43

In the marketplace, God has ordained a line of authority in order that order and stability may prevail in the marketplace.
This line of authority has been established by God and all believers must submit to it in order that God's blessings may rest upon them.

In this chain or authority:

If we rebelled against this line of authority without God's sanction, we will come under God's judgment.
"Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" (1 Samuel 15:23), and it opens a door to the destructive works of the devil in our life.

God has ordained the government of every nation of this earth to carry out His will, directly or indirectly (Romans 13:1-5).
These government will enact laws to rule the land so that peace and righteousness may prevail.

It is thus the duty of every believer to obey the government and submit to the laws of the land in order that he may live a life pleasing to God.
No matter how harsh the law may be (e.g. high income tax, permits for certain businesses), every believer must honor God by obeying the law.

Where the laws are harsh or are poorly enforced, the believers, whether as an employer or employee, is bound to obey them.
Such laws are a test of the faith of a believer, who believes that God is in total control of every situation.
If the believer does not grumble or complain when he faces such laws but obeys them instead, God will develop spiritual maturity in him (James 1:2-4).

Whenever believers rebel against government laws, they are rebelling against God (Romans 13:2).
It is just a sign of their lack of faith in our Almighty, Miracle-working God, who is in total control of this world.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for these is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.          (Romans 13:1-2)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.                               (James 1:2-4)

E.g. A high tax rate for those in high personal income may be considered harsh by many people.
As a result, many people will try to evade tax by not declaring their total income.
This is wrong and selfish.
Those with high personal income are must  realize that they are already blessed by the government of the land, which has allowed them to conduct their business successfully.
In return, they should gladly contribute their taxes, although at a higher rate, to support the functions of the government.

E.g. Bureaucratic red tape that hinders the smooth implementation of your project.
Many business projects require various government approvals, permits and licenses.
Some of these items are difficult to obtain for various reasons.
Many businessmen are tempted to bride government officials to hasten or to smoothen the process.

Such bribery is destructive to the souls of the giver of bribes and the receiver.
It corrupts the integrity and morals of everyone involved.
The government and the society are slowly destroyed because of such practices.

Believers should not give bribes.
We serve a living God who can put His fear into anyone, if we ask Him to help us.
God holds every government official in His hands, and he can direct them wherever He chooses (Proverbs 21:1).

And God can move upon every bureaucratic obstacle to help our business succeed if we will just trust Him and turn to Him for help.
We need never fear anyone or any problem.
We just have to turn to God and stand firm to see His deliverance (Exodus 14:13-14).
It demands faith and patience; but this is what God wants to see in our life.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;
     He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.      (Proverbs 21:1)

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."                                                                   (Exodus 14:13-14)

Those who are working for others must submit to the rules, regulations and direction set by their superiors and employer.
When we do it, we are doing it unto the Lord, for it is God who has commanded us to do it (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25).

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and width sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.           
                                                                                                           (Ephesians 6:5-8)

We must not rebel against the instructions of our superiors, no matter how unfair or unreasonable they may seem.
We should submit to these instructions as long as they are not ungodly.
Meanwhile we should pray to God and also appeal to our superiors to do what is reasonable and fair.
God will always answer us in due time.

Meanwhile, serve wholeheartedly, as unto the Lord.
Serve wholeheartedly even when the boss is not around.
When God sees your faithfulness. He will move upon your superiors to reward you.

E.g. The boss gives you a lot of work because you are hard-working and uncomplaining, while others are able to get away with less work.
Take it as an honor; meanwhile turn to God and appeal to your boss.
Do not complain or grumble.
Do not get angry either with your colleagues who are doing less.

If you grumble, you bring shame to the name of Jesus; you are in fact showing you lack of faith in God. Thus if you grumble, God will not deliver you.
Instead, give thanks to God in every situation, for this is God's way of training us in the walk of faith (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

A "yoke" is a wooden frame by which two working animals are joined together.
To be "yoked" to another person is to be joined in partnership with that person, so that both are compelled to move in the same direction.

Examples of being yoked in society:

God's word commands us not to be unequally yoked with others, whether in marriage or in the marketplace (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
Every believer lives to serve and honor God, seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
He must therefore not enter into partnership with another who will not do God's will, whether the partner is a believer or an unbeliever.
Two person cannot walk together, whether in business or in marriage, unless they are agreed concerning their goal in life (Amos 3:3).

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.

As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord."
"Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.                                                   (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

Can two walk together
     unless they have agreed to do so?                                               (Amos 3:3)

If you are unequally yoked in your business arrangements, you will find that it is not possible to obey God all the time because you are bound to another who does not fear God.
E.g. Your partner may not want to give part of the company's profits to God as an act of worship.
E.g. Your partner is willing to give bribes and kick-backs to get his way.
E.g. Your partner is not honest in his use of labels and measures (Proverbs 20:23).

God wants us to come out from every relationship that is ungodly (expect for marriage, where you unbelieving spouse is sanctified by your belief).
God wants us to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our body and spirit.
Instead, He wants to live in us and use us for His glory (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1).
He wants us to set ourselves apart fro His use alone, out of reverence for Him.

If we obey God's word fully, God will prosper us and we will no longer be poor, even if we had been poor before this (Deuteronomy 15:4-6).
However, there will always be brothers who are poor (Deuteronomy 15:11).
God commands us to lend generously to them.
We are also commanded not to charge them interest (Deuteronomy 23:19-20).

However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to posses as your inheritance, He will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised, and you will lend to many nations but borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.                                  (Deuteronomy 15:4-6)

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.                             (Deuteronomy 15:7-8,10)

Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the LORD our God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.                                                          (Deuteronomy 23:19-20)

We may take collateral for the loan, but we are not allowed to foreclose on the collateral (Exodus 22:25-27).
We are also not allowed to sue our brother in court for the return of the money loaned to him (1 Corinthians 6:1-7).
In fact, Jesus commands us to lend without expecting to receive back what we have lent to others (Luke 6:34-36).

If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak s the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate. 
                                                                                                           (Exodus 22:25-27)

If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?                                                                    (1 Corinthians 6:17)

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners', expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 
                                                                                                                (Luke 6:34-36)

God's word repeatedly warns us against putting up surety for another, i.e. being a guarantor for a loan taken by another (Proverbs 11:15; 17:18).
In other words, while your friend takes the loan and uses it, you foolishly bear all the risk.

He who puts up security for another will surely suffer,
     but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.   (Proverbs 11:15)

A man lacking in judgment strikes hand in pledge
     and puts up security for his neighbor.                                (Proverbs 17:18)

Your act of being a surety seems to be "an act of love an sympathy," but God says that it is foolhardy and dangerous.
If we do it, we are being irresponsible with the riches God has entrusted to us and we are disobedient to God's word.
If fact, we have fallen into a trap and God wants us to quickly get ourselves out from the suretyship (Proverbs 6:1-5).

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
     if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
if you have been rapped by what you said,
     ensnared by the words of your mouth,
then do this, my son, to free yourself,
     since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands:
Go and humble yourself;
     press your plea with your neighbor!
Allow no sleep to your eyes,
     no slumber to your eyelids.
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
     like a bird from the snare of the fowler.                                (Proverbs 6:1-5)

One of God's conditions for financial success in a believer's life is that he must give of his riches into God's kingdom.
He must pay his tithes and give of his riches in obedience to God (Malachi 3:8-10; Luke 6:38).

"Will a man rob God? Yet you robbed me"
"But you asked, 'How do we rob you?'"
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."                                                                                  (Malachi 3:8-10)

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.                 (Luke 6:38)

The payment of our tithes in obedience to God's word is to acknowledge that God is the source and the Lord of our riches.
As we honor God with our tithes, God will continue to bless us financially.

The giving of financial offerings in obedience to the leading of God is an act of sowing into God's kingdom.
As we sow, we will reap back many times in return, in accordance with God's promises. God wants us to sow in order to supply the needs of the Gospel mission and to help those in need.

However, we must give cheerfully and not reluctantly.
We must also seek the leading of the Spirit within our heart as to how much we are to give (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
We must never give out of pride or because of pressure from others.
In this way, we will have a financial abundance for every good work.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is ale to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.              (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

Your thought

1. In what ways do believers rebel against authority knowingly or otherwise?
   

2. In what ways can we become unequally yoked in the marketplace?
   

3. In what ways do we stand as surety for another in the marketplace?
   

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