0082. 79. Business

79. Business “Not Slothful in Business” (Romans 12:11)

There is a story related of a great English nobleman of the last century (Lord Palmerston), who witnessed an accident in London, when a little girl fell down and smashed a pitcher with a quart of milk in it. Lord Palmerston said to her: “My dear, don’t cry, don’t cry! I have not any change with me now, but I will meet you here tomorrow at twelve o’clock on this bridge, and I will give you a shilling to buy another pitcher and some more milk.” The next day Lord Palmerston was in a business meeting with a large company of gentlemen, and when the hour came to meet the little girl he said, “Gentlemen, I have an engagement.” “Oh!” was the reply, “but there is important business going on, sir.” “I cannot help it. I have a previous engagement made yesterday. I must keep the word of my promise to meet the individual.” In all our business it is well that we mind the Lord’s business. His injunction to us as His servants is: “Do business till I come,” for when He returns He will want to know “what business” we have “done” (Rotherham’s Translation of Luke 19:13, Luke 19:15). The word for “business” in Romans 12:11, is rendered “haste,” “diligence,” “carefulness,” “forwardness,” and “earnest care.” Our business for the Lord should be done—

1. With a set purpose, as Mary when she went with “haste” into the hill country—Luke 1:39.

2. With “diligence,” as he who “ruleth” is exhorted to do—Romans 12:8.

3. With “care,” as in the sight of God—2 Corinthians 7:12.

4. With attention to detail, as Paul recognised, when he spoke of the “carefulness” of the saints’ repentance in Corinth—2 Corinthians 7:11.

5. With earnestness, as in the case of Titus, when the apostle recognised the “earnest care” in him—2 Corinthians 8:16.

6. With specific aim, as the Spirit enjoins believers to give “diligence” to add to their faith—2 Peter 1:5.

7. With the main object in all “business” to be serving the Lord—Romans 12:11.