Joining the Family Business

Joining the Family Business

In our modern day society filled with large corporations and company chains, we do not see as many family owned businesses as in the past. Growing up in a town with 75,000 residents there were many of these. Some went by the family name and sons, some simply took the family name and other companies may have totally a different name but everyone knew the family that owned and ran that business. As children in these families grew up, many of them knew they would one day enter the family business. It was often expected of them and often what they long to do.

A friend of mine’s uncle owned a construction company that her grandfather played an intricate role in. As a child Gina would climb up on the huge equipment and imagine the day that she could actually work with them. By her late teens, she could handle just about every piece of equipment, no matter how big, that the company possessed. It was her passion to be grandpa’s girl and participate in the family business. She loved her grandfather and uncle desired to contribute to this dream.

As born-again believers we have been adopted into the family of God. “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” (John 1:12 AMP) As God’s children we are cherished and grow with a new family identity. As young children we are fed, cared for and taught what it means to be a part of this family. As we grow up we begin to understand more of what our Father’s work is. The more we understand the business the more we should become interested in being a part of it.

Even as a child Jesus understood this. When His parents found Him in the temple this was His response. “And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business?” (Luke 2:49 AMP) We are to model the behavior of Jesus in everything we do. As He shared the Father’s heart for all people, we should also share that heart. The very nature of God is love and we, His children, will also love others. “He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.” (1 John 4:8 AMP) When we come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, our very nature also becomes love.

As we follow the example of Jesus we not only possess a heart full of other-centered love, we also look to the Father to determine how to express that love to others. This is not a series of good works that we plan out on our own, but rather following the prompting of the Holy Spirit. “So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].” (John 5:19 AMP) We learn how to express love from God and then live it out in our daily lives.

Being willing to express the love of God in all circumstances is not always easy. There are times when a heart of compassion will break for the hurting people on which that compassion rests. There are times when hard work must replace fulfilling our own desires. This is when we truly prove to ourselves and others that we are God’s children. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.” (Romans 8:14-17 AMP) We are to share in the work and even suffering of Jesus Christ.

Working in the family business does not just mean sharing a name with the owner and receiving the revenue that the business yields. It involves hard work, risk and a consuming passion. Although these may not always be pleasant or easy they are definitely worth it. The same is true in our work for God. We will work and even suffer. “But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].” (1 Peter 4:13 AMP)

Are you  growing up in the word of God? Then it is time to get involved in the family business and live a life of service to others. The struggles may be difficult but the glory yet to come will outweigh anything negative you will encounter.