The Purpose of Business, 4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention, Cost per Vote in 2016 Election
Business
The Purpose of a Christian’s Business
A couple weeks ago we talked about how the Marketplace is Ministry. We discussed that 250 million people in the United States don’t attend church regularly and an estimated 100 million are completely unchurched. That trend is only growing. These people don’t go to church, but most of them have to go to work! That is where you and I come in.
We must first understand that, as Christians, we don’t own anything. Everything given to us is the Lord’s and we are simply stewards. Why does God give a business to a Christian to run? Larry Burkett does a fantastic teaching on this and I want to share with you what he outlines as the purposes for a Christian’s business.
1 – Outreach to the Unsaved – We are called to make disciples and to be God’s light in this world wherever He sends us. Our ministry is not limited to volunteering on the weekend or leading a Bible study. As business leaders, we spend most of our waking hours at work. Hopefully, we spend the most of the remainder of our waking hours with our families. These two places are where we are called to make disciples. How do we make disciples at work?
The most effective discipleship strategy is living out God’s commands at work and acknowledging Him. I love Paul’s teaching on this in 2 Timothy 2:2, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” We simply need to learn from God and teach those we lead. We don’t have to quote scripture, just live it out and teach.
2 – Fund God’s Work – God has given us the power to produce wealth and we are called to give back to his Kingdom. Proverbs 3:9 instructs us to “Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits of all you produce.”
For-profit businesses are the only self-funding tools we have to do God’s work.
3 – Supply Needs – Businesses that are operated well have an incredible ability to provide for the needs of those you touch. By paying your people and suppliers fairly and on time, you are allowing them to provide for their families. Your business also provides for you and your family. The business was created to meet a need for your customers.
God entrusts us with multiple stakeholders in our business. Our employees, communities, customers and shareholders are gifts that must be stewarded. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
4 – Make a Profit – Not running your business to make a profit is foolish. It is also detrimental to all of the other great things your business accomplishes. A business must be run with margin and savings for the rainy days that will come. If you have investors, they must be given a good return on their investment. If you do not have outside investors, you and your family are those investors. You and your family also deserve a fair return.
Health
4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention
“We have to realize that the era of the magic bullet — drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease — is over. We need to take an integrative or holistic approach, like they do for heart disease. What works for the heart, works for the head.” –
Dr. Khalsa, ca. 1994
The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation was founded 20 years ago with the mission to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and focuses on finding holistic or integrative approaches to preventing Alzheimer’s.
The ARPF has found 4 pillars to Alzheimer’s prevention. I’ll list them today and we’ll dive into each in subsequent posts.
- Diet & Supplements – Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains need proper nutrition, blood flow, energy and care. This is good news. This approach helps with all of the other old age baddies like heart disease, cancer, stroke, etc.
- Stress Management – The negative effects of stress are well documented, but did you know that your brain suffers as well?
- Exercise – Physical and mental exercise are keys to healthy aging and brain health.
- Spiritual Fitness – I know it helps me, but can’t wait to see how it stops Alzheimer’s!
Life, Fun, Whatever!
How Much Did Each Vote Cost in the 2016 Election?
From the Cato Institute. Note this does not include all the promises made by the candidates, just how much they spent on their campaign. Interesting stuff!
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