The Rewards of Risk-Taking (Eccl. 11:1-6)

"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." (Ecc 11:1)

One should not fear taking risks. All work of production calculates risks. Risk-taking is key to farming, business, banking. In the Parable of Talents, the boss commended the two workers who went and took risks to do business with the money they received, doubling it by the time their boss returned. However, he was very unhappy with the worker who went and hid the capital depriving the boss of even the interest from the use of it. He rebuked him saying that he should have given the money to bankers if he was afraid of taking risks, for bankers (risk-takers themselves) assure of a set interest amount. Risk-taking must be accompanied by good counsel, calculation, wisdom, and diligent hard-work that explores various avenues of investment. Risk-taking investments forgo the present disuse or use of something for sake of future returns. For instance, the farmer sows the grain instead of eating it or storing it for consumption in order to reap multiple production.

Instead of investing the whole capital in just one industry, it is better to divide it into various. "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land." (Ecc 11:2)

It is also important to be diligent and willing to use spare time (available labor-time--not to scrape it from family and rest time) in any other industry. "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."(Ecc 11:6)

Don't just wait for things to look very sure and certain. Move forward. Risk-takers move by faith, not by sight. "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap (Ecc.11:4)

Also, be prepared for crisis-times. And, do not forget that charity and helping the poor has assurance of returns and rewards from God (Prov.19:17). That reward is always assured and never lost.

#Business #Risk #Disaster #Industry #Success

BIBLICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR A GODLY CONDUCT IN FAMILY & SOCIETY

TO PARENTS

A. Encourage your child (Colossians 3:21)

Don’t let them feel discouraged, sullen, inferior, or frustrated.
Give gifts (Luke 11:11-13), Forgive, don’t dig the past (Luke 15:22)
B. Discipline him/her while he is young (Proverbs 19:18; Hebrews 12:10)
C. Nurture him/her in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)
1. In the training (Proverbs 22:6, Catechize, 2Timothy 3:15)
2. Discipline (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 19:18; 23:13,14; 29:15,17)
3. Counsel
4. Admonition
D. Do not Irritate your child (Colossians 3:21; Ephesians 6:4)
1. Do not provoke to anger
2. Do not exasperate him/her to resentment
3. Do not fret
4. Do not be hard on them or harass them
5. Do not break their spirit
E. Provide for one’s home (1Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 31:21,22,24,27).

TO CHILDREN
A. Obey your parents in all things. Make it a lifestyle to obey. For this is well pleasing unto the Lord (Colossians 3:20).
B. Obey your parents in the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1). For this is right.
C. Honor them (Ephesians 6:2,3). That it may be well with you, and that you may live long.
D. Serve them (1Timothy 5:4).
The wrath of God descends on the disobedient (Romans 1:30,32)

TO MARRIED COUPLES
A. In Union (Together) (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1Corinthians 7:5,10)
1. Mutual Love (1Corinthians 7:3, Conjugal rights, goodwill, kindness, etc)
2. Mutual Self-Giving/Submit to Authority of Other (1Corinthians 7:4)
3. Mutual Consent (1Corinthians 7:5. In submission to the Lord. Not like Ananias and Sapphira as in Acts 5, but like the Shunammite couple in 2Kings 4:9)
B. Duties of Husbands
1. Be the Head of your wife (Ephesians 5:23; 1Corinthians 11:3. Leadership, decision-making)
2. Make Christ your Head (1Corinthians 11:3)
3. Follow Christ’s Example (Christ’s love for the Church)
a. Love (Ephesians 5:25,28,33; Colossians 3:19)
b. Nourish, protect, and cherish her (Ephesians 5:29)
c. Honor her with great respect (1Peter 3:7)
C. Duties of Wives
1. Be Body/helpmeet for him (Genesis 2:20)
Accept his headship/rulership (Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:22)
Be bound to him till he dies (Romans 7:2)
2. Desire for him alone (Genesis 3:16)
3. Learn from husband (1Corinthians 14:35)
4. Be subject to husband as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22,24)
a. Submission in obedience (Titus 2:5; 1Peter 3:1)
b. Adaptation
5. Revere husband (Ephesians 5:33)
a. Notice him (pay attention, have concern)
b. Regard him
c. Honor him
d. Prefer him
e. Venerate, esteem him (think highly of, value greatly)
f. Defer to him (submission)
g. Praise him
h. Love and admire him exceedingly
6. Be sober, wise (Titus 2:4; Proverbs 31:26,30)
7. Be trustworthy (Proverbs 31:11,12)
8. Be self-controlled (Titus 2:5)
9. Be chaste (Titus 2:5; Proverbs 31:10,25,11; 1Peter 3:2)
10. Be homemakers (Proverbs 31:28,29, 15,16,18,21)
11. Be good natured, kindhearted (Proverbs 31:12)
12. Be hardworking (Proverbs 31:12-30). Not be idle (1Timothy 5:13)
13. Be meek and quiet (1Peter 3:4-6). Not nagging (Proverbs 21:19, 9; 19:13; 27:15)

TO FELLOW CHRISTIANS
1. Prayer (Colossians 4:12; Acts 12:5; James 5:15)
2. Love (Romans 12:10)
3. Honor (Romans 12:10)
4. Help, Assistance, Aid (Romans 12:13; 1Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 6:6)
5. Hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1Timothy 3:2)
6. Sympathy (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1-7)
7. Humility (Romans 12:16)
8. Goodness (Romans 12:17)
9. Honest (Romans 12:17; 1Corinthians 8:21; Truthfulness, Ephesians 4:25,15)
10. Edifying words (Ephesians 4:29)
11. Restoration (Galatians 6:1,2)
12. Exhortation (2Timothy 4:2)
13. Mutual Subjection (1Peter 5:5)
14. Forbearing (Colossians 3:13)
15. Forgiving (Colossians 3:13)

TO SERVANTS
1. Honor master, boss. (1Timothy 6:1,2)
2. Obey (Ephesians 6:5, 6-8; Colossians 3:23-25)
a. With fear
b. Single-heartedly
c. As unto Christ
d. Not as men-pleasers
e. But as Christ’s servants
f. Doing God’s will
3. Don’t answer back (Titus 2:9)
4. Faithful (Titus 2:10)
5. Subjection (1Peter 2:18-20)

TO MASTERS (BOSSES)
1. Do not threaten (Ephesians 6:9)
Don’t be violent. Don’t use abusive words
2. Be just and fair (Colossians 4:1)
Do not exploit. Give the right wages. Be merciful. Treat them with respect.

TOWARDS THE WORLD IN GENERAL
1. Intercede for them (1Timothy 2:1-4; Isaiah 12:23)
2. Honor (1Peter 2:17)
3. Be honest (Romans 12:17)
4. Speak edifying words (Ephesians 4:29)
5. Witness (1Thessalonians 2:4; 1Peter 3:1-5; Philippians 1:13; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15)
6. Follow the Golden rule (Matthew 7:12)
7. Keep no debts but love (Romans 13:7-8)

TOWARDS AUTHORITIES
1. Honor them (Romans 13:7)
2. Be subject to them (Romans 13:1; 1Peter 2:13-16)
3. Pray/Intercede for them (1Timothy 2:2-4)