Calvary Road Baptist Church
“TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS”
Romans 12.11a
Before we turn to our text, allow me to establish two truths that you need to recognize and reckon with in your own life. First, there is Titus 1.5-13a:
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true.
Whether you care to face the issue honestly or not, different ethnic groups have, for lack of a better way of stating it, cultural personality traits. When I lived on Indian reservations growing up the native Americans who showed up late for every appointment, no matter how important the occasions, typically smiled and made a comment about “Indian time.” I have noticed Filipinos frequently making the same comments.
This does not mean that one group of people is better than the other. It does mean that Paul recognized here, and we’d better recognize, that two groups referred to in this passage, “they of the circumcision” and the Cretans, had generalized sets of behavior and personality characteristics that, while not being necessarily true of every Jewish person or every Cretan, were generally true of many Jewish people and many Cretans.
You’d be better off to recognize that you came out of an ethnic community into your Christian life if you’re saved. If not, then you’re probably still in that ethnic community that you were born into. That means your personality is skewed one way or another by the cultural environment that you grew up in. The question is, do you recognize the personality and behavioral assets and liabilities that you have been blessed with or saddled with as a result of that? What cultural assets have you been imbibed with?
In the 19th century, it was not unusual in such northern cities as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia to see signs reading, “Help wanted. Irish need not apply.” or “Room for rent. Irish need not apply.” Why? Because the Irish (and I am mostly of Irish stock), had a well-deserved reputation for laziness and atrocious personal hygiene. It was part of our cultural personality.
Here is another way this is seen. Some of you may think that you are more manly for being a hunter than someone who doesn’t like to hunt, or that you are more feminine if you are skinny than if you are a healthy woman. That’s a cultural personality that results in such beliefs. If I am a person, who doesn’t address these kinds of influences on me in planning how I’m going to live my life I'm just naive. Are we agreed?
Next, there is First Corinthians l.26-29:
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
The second thing that I want to establish is that God has not, historically, chosen those from the upper echelons of society to be His people. Rather, He most generally reaches way down to the bottom, choosing the weak, choosing the foolish, choosing the base, and choosing the despised of this world. The reason God does this is stated in verse 29. He has created us to glorify Him. And one of the ways God glorifies Himself in us is by saving the least, the last, and the lost. But it doesn’t stop there. God continues to receive glory when people like us, who are not normally exposed to the incentives that form disciplined and aggressive and energetic personalities, develop such characteristics despite the disincentives that we are exposed to as a result of our low station in life.
We know that ethnic groups have what I have chosen to call cultural personality. And, second, we Christians have historically been selected from those levels of society which would not be conducive to the molding of desirable personality traits. That is, most Christians have not, throughout the centuries, come from those people who had the benefit of good cultural personalities. So, let’s see what behavior characteristic God would have us display that cannot be attributed to our environment, that cannot be attributed to merely turning over a new leaf (self-reformation), that can only be attributed to the grace of God in our lives.
Turn to Romans 12.11:
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
Let’s learn three things about this behavior characteristic which is, though it’s difficult for us to make a connection in our minds, one aspect of a Christian’s expression of genuine love:
First, THE MEANING OF THIS CHARACTERISTIC
Just exactly what does “not slothful in business” mean?
As to the word “slothful.” The Greek word translated slothful, here in the plural and referring to slothful people as opposed to a slothful individual, is used only three times in the New Testament, but a wonderful picture of what “slothful” behavior is can be found in Proverbs 6.6-11:
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
To be “slothful” is to be lazy, is to be idle, is to be the kind of people who only perform when supervised, is to be the kind of people who have no personal initiative.[1] Modern day “couch potatoes” are an apt description of people who are slothful in business. “Slothful” does not necessarily mean that people are not capable of explosive outbursts of effort. But it does mean that such efforts will not be seen if there is a choice. If given the option without adverse consequences the “slothful” person can be described as the perpetually reluctant. Reluctant to get off their blessed assurance. Reluctant to step up and serve God. But more than willing to sit back and enjoy the blessings showered down by God on the lives of others who are serious about serving God and who will serve God when the slothful will not.
As to the word “business.” Do not make the mistake of limiting the scope of this word to the field of commerce, because the scope of this word is much too broad and encompassing to be limited to running a business, working a job, or making money. The Greek word translated “business” in our text, is found 12 times in the New Testament and has a range of meaning that includes being in a hurry, being eager, being diligent, being attentive, being devoted, and being zealous.[2] So, to take the four words that comprise our text literally, the phrase would translate “in the diligence or the eagerness or the devotion, not slothful.”
But the real key to understanding this verse is to realize that the phrase is what’s called an idiom. An idiom is a phrase that is not intended to be interpreted literally. Every language has idiomatic expressions. We have a whole slew of idiomatic expressions in English, with Southerners being exceptionally idiomatic in their conversation. During Paul’s lifetime, this phrase meant, “when haste is needed, never be slow,” “when eagerness is needed, don’t be lazy.” You might even stretch the expression somewhat to include this meaning: “When diligence is required, don’t be without personal initiative.” So, we see that what Paul urges from Christians are characteristic patterns of behavior that could not be manufactured by the most resolute of slaves living under the oppressive tyranny of Rome, or anyone trapped in slavery to sin. But the children of God, set free from sin to serve God in liberty, could and would rise to the demands of any occasion and demonstrate personal initiative, a determination to do right, a dedication to serve God efficiently and effectively. Christians with this behavior characteristic will figure out a way to serve God no matter what, while Christians without this quality will always be able to excuse themselves.
Next, THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS CHARACTERISTIC
Think about not being slothful in business. What can we say about it?
First, we can say that some people hasten to sin. John the Baptist preached against Herodias for marrying her husband’s brother. It was a sin that was both adulterous and incestuous at the same time. Perhaps you remember the story of Herodias’ daughter dancing a seductive dance for her uncle/stepfather, who promised her anything she asked. Mark 6.25 declares that “she came in straightway with haste unto the king” and asked for the head of John the Baptist. “Haste” is our word. That wicked young woman who enticed her uncle/stepfather with a seductive dance hastened to sin. I declare, based on the authority of God’s Word, that if she died without Christ, she now cries out over the roar of the bonfire of Hell, wishing that she had instead hastened to do right.
Second, we can say that some people are reluctant to do right. In Matthew 25.14-30 we find a parable. And although it is not my intention to draw any particular lesson from this parable taught by our Lord at this time, we do want to see His description of the unfaithful servant who was reluctant to do right during his master’s absence. The “slothful” servant seen in this parable is the epitome of behavior Christians should not demonstrate:
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then there is Philippians 3.1:
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.”
In the previous 11 verses, Paul had written from prison about his companions, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus almost died, Paul tells us, while serving Christ to make up for the deficiency of the Philippians, who did not help Paul as much as they wished they could have. Therefore, when Paul indicates that writing about what that wonderful Christian did for him was “not grievous” to him, but was “safe” for them, is he suggesting that they might have been a bit “slothful” and Epaphroditus was not? Think about it, folks. We have no trouble envisioning the slothful servant of Matthew 25. But we normally do not like to think that our reluctance to rise to the occasion and do right, as was the case of the Philippians after they had earlier on done despite their grievous poverty, almost cost the life of one of God’s choice servants.[3]
Thankfully, there are others who hasten to do right. In Second Corinthians chapter 8 Paul referred to the marvelous response of the very poor Christians in Macedonia in giving to feed the Christians in Judea, who were starving from a serious famine in the region. But, speaking directly to the Corinthian Christians in verse 7, Paul urged his readers to rise up and demonstrate “diligence” in the area of giving to the cause of Christ as they had been diligent in the past in other areas of Christian ministry. So, he wanted their giving “business” to be up to the level of their other ministry “business.” And let us not pass by without comment the fact that what Paul was urging the Corinthians to do was what other Christians, Christians in deep poverty I might add, were already doing.
When it came to giving to advance the cause of Christ, they were taking care of “business.” They were “not slothful in business.” I preached on this in Canada more than twenty-five years ago, and a man was overheard saying, after my message on the willingness of the Macedonians to give despite their “deep poverty,” “You can do that when you’ve got money.” What? The whole point of being “not slothful in business” is to use supernatural resources, not natural resources.
But let us not forget Epaphroditus. He hastened to do right by ministering to Paul. Remember, in those days a man in prison would starve without someone on the outside to bring him food. So, when the Philippians failed to come through for a time Paul would probably have starved, but for Epaphroditus. But in supporting himself and Paul, he almost worked himself to death. It’s not right when the laziness of some Christians requires that diligent believers sacrifice in this manner. In all areas in which we serve in the ministry God’s plan is not equal gifts, is not equal results. But it is equal sacrifice. God takes note when one sacrifices much for Him because others will not sacrifice at all.
Finally, THE MOTIVE OF THIS CHARACTERISTIC
What motivates a believer like Paul or like Epaphroditus to rise above the mundane level of existence that characterizes the lost of this world to live one’s life on a higher plane? When the lost person tries for a while and then gives up and drops out, what makes an Adoniram Judson keep going on, ever going on? What makes a faithful Church member keep going on, ever going on? There are five reasons:
First, his desire to worship and serve God. Hebrews 6.9-12:
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
This passage shows that the “diligence” the writer of Hebrews wants to be demonstrated by his readers is the same “diligence” that was seen in the lives of the Old Testament saints. They desired to worship and serve God. And they did so with “diligence.” With “diligence,” which is the word “business” in our text, we are to do the same. And we can do the same thing.
Second, the urge to exercise gifts properly. Romans 12.8:
“Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Though I did not call attention to the fact when I preached on this verse, “he that ruleth” is to do so with “diligence,” happens to be the same word as our word “business.” That is, the ruler is to do what he does expeditiously. He’s to get on with it and not dally around. Thus, we see that the proper use of at least this gift, and probably others as well, involves getting on with it and not wasting precious time. Time is short.
Third, a desire to love the brethren. In Second Corinthians 7.12 Paul makes mention of his “care” for the readers. The word “care” is our word “business” and is a measure of Paul’s love for those people. His ministerial “hustle” was a demonstration of love for them. In Second Corinthians 8.8, again dealing with the Macedonian’s gift to the believers in Judea and Paul’s desire that the Corinthians also give, Paul refers “the forwardness of others.” The word “forwardness,” our word “business,” refers to the eagerness of the Macedonians to get involved with God’s program and show love for others by giving, others they had never met and would never meet this side of heaven. Then, in Second Corinthians 8.16, Paul refers to Titus’ love for the Corinthians when he refers to Titus’ “earnest care” for them. Have you noticed how closely connected are the ideas of love and “business” or “diligence” and the practice of giving to the cause of Christ? Someone who does not give to the cause of Christ is just as “slothful in business” as someone who does nothing more than warm a pew on Sundays.
A fourth motive to exhibit this characteristic is responding with godly sorrow for sin. Second Corinthians 7.10-11:
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
In his first letter to them Paul had strongly rebuked the Corinthians for all sorts of sins and for being generally carnal and spiritually immature. Here he reflects on Titus’ report that they had responded correctly to Paul’s rebukes, they had responded differently than unsaved men would have, and their godly sorrow for their sins had produced “carefulness” in them, had produced an “eagerness” if you will, to do right for a change.
Finally, to grow in spiritual maturity. If this desire by Paul that Christians are not “slothful in business,” not be lazy in diligence, is as important as it seems to be turning out to be, then we ought to find it closely related to our spiritual growth as Christians. And, indeed, we do. In Second Peter 1.5-8 we see that this characteristic is a vital part of every Christian’s pattern of spiritual growth and development. Indeed, so important is “business,” is diligence, that you quite simply will not grow spiritually without it:
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Not slothful in business.”
Put very simply; this phrase means that Christians are expected to exhibit an eagerness and aggressiveness in our Christian service that is a radical departure from anything we ever exhibited before coming to Christ. From the reservoir of sinful humanity that we have been drawn from the aggressive pursuit of excellence is unheard of. Oh sure, lost people aggressively pursue facts and information, wealth and power, all the time.
But what is being referred to here is the diligent pursuit of Christian maturity, an eager and energetic devotion to loving other Christians, to serving God, to exercising the spiritual gifts that you have discovered were given to you when you trusted Christ, and to giving to the cause of Christ sacrificially. It’s a personal commitment to be far more than an unfaithful servant who does only the bare minimum required by the Lord, and that only when he is conscious that the Lord is looking. It’s the eagerness to please that results in one resorting to personal initiative.
Christian? Is personal initiative a part of your Christian life? Or do you punch a spiritual time clock? Let’s emulate the Macedonians. They were so eager to worship God, to love the brethren, that because they had been excluded because of their poverty, they asked Paul to be included in his plans to feed the Judean Christians. That’s the kind of genuine love for God and for the brotherhood that Paul is urging here. When diligence is needed, never be lazy. Teach a Sunday School class. Go out to bring in the lost. Volunteer to be an usher, a greeter, or a worker in some other area of ministry. Pull your load financially by giving. And if you can’t give, either learn how to handle your money better or get a job so you can give.
There’s a world out there that’s going to Hell in a handbasket, and the last thing the cause of Christ needs is more spectators. What's needed are more participants, more laborers in the field. Instead of enumerating reasons why you can’t serve God, why it’s inconvenient to your schedule to help us reach the San Gabriel Valley, why don’t you consider the reasons why you can serve God and why don’t you rearrange your schedule so you can serve alongside us?
Church member? Let’s not be slothful in business. Place yourself at God’s disposal for involvement in a ministry. Christian, begin the process of aligning yourself with this ministry as we are eager to receive candidates for membership. And you folks who are not Christians. Maybe you resist the Gospel for the same reason I did. I thought that I would have to sacrifice my manhood when I became a Christian. But just because I played football and hunted, just because I drove a log truck and survived a half dozen car wrecks for driving like a fool, just because I had a foul mouth and a nasty disposition, didn’t make me a man at all. A man isn’t a real man until he is a Christian man, for God made man to be a man of God. And the same is true of a woman. If you want to be a woman, a real woman, let someone introduce you to Christ so you can become a Christian woman.
The invitation is extended to each of you. See what God will do to you, what God will do for you, and what God will do with you by trusting the Savior.
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[1] G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon Of The New Testament, (Edinburgh: T & T Clark Ltd, 1986), page 314.
[2] Bauer, Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, (Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 2000), pages 939-940.
[3] Remember that the Philippians were among those Paul commended for sacrificial giving despite their poverty, in 2 Corinthians 8.1-5.
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