KNOWING OUR LIMITS

"He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases
fantasies will have his fill of poverty."-Proverbs 28:19

Webster's defines entrepreneur: "one who organizes, operates, and
assumes the risk in a business venture." [Merriam-Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary, Tenth ed. (Springfield, Massachusetts, 1993),
"entrepreneur."] Entrepreneurs can smell an opportunity a mile away.
However, what is often their greatest asset can become their greatest
downfall. The road is littered with entrepreneurs who have been
successful in one venture only to fail in countless others. Is this the
natural way for an entrepreneur, or is there a better way?
King David was an entrepreneur. He grew up as a shepherd boy and later
became Israel's greatest warrior. He responded to opportunities, like
the time when no one would fight Goliath. He saw this as an opportunity.
He ultimately became king of Israel and faced many opportunities placed
before him. David learned an important lesson somewhere along the way
that each of us as workplace believers should learn.
As an entrepreneur the greatest danger is engaging ourselves in
activities in which God never intended us to be involved. This is poor
stewardship of what God has entrusted to us. When the Philistines
attacked David, he always inquired of God as to if and when he was to
counterattack. When he was attacked a second time on one occasion, David
inquired of God as to whether he was to attack yet. This time God said
yes, but with a condition, "Wait until you hear the sound of marching in
the balsam trees" (see 2 Sam. 5:24). This story tells us that David had
learned an important lesson about staying vertical in his relationship
with God at all times. David had learned the important principle of
staying focused on what God wanted for him, not what seemed logical. He
was an opportunist, but only through the filter of the Holy Spirit in
his life.
How do you approach opportunities? Do you consider the merits of the
opportunity only? Or do you inquire of God as to whether He desires you
to pursue? It may be a wonderful opportunity, but it may not be God's
will for you to be involved. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you as you
seek to use the skills He has given you.