Business Tips from a Christian Worldview  
     
Blessed by the Metanarrative
 
by Gerald R. Chester, Ph.D.
This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes . . . But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” (Jeremiah 17:5–7 NIV)
 

Everyone wants to be blessed—to have the favor of God who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Commonly, people think that God helps those who help themselves. Therefore, if you want to be blessed, it is up to you to work hard and make it happen.

While there is value in hard work, enjoying the favor of God is more than being personally responsible and diligent. God has a will and has ways he wants his will accomplished. Many today, however, argue that Christians should seek human flourishing and the higher or greater good of society. Such thinking disconnected from the plan and purpose of God is not Christian thinking. Hard work is a Christian principle that is part of the ways of God, but hard work doing your will, or someone else’s will, bifurcated from the will of God will not be blessed.

Given the sovereign God of the Bible who rules his universe strategically and intentionally, Christians must be clear that God has a specific purpose and plan for each person and organization. Therefore, to be blessed in his universe, individuals and organizations must align with his will and his ways.

God’s plan for his universe is sometimes called the metanarrative. The metanarrative is the overarching story of history that reveals God’s nature and his purpose. The universe is like a giant stage hosting the play written, directed, and produced by God from Creation to the New Creation. Into this context every person is born and every organization is formed—all for the purpose of finding and fulfilling God’s purpose in his metanarrative.

The above text connects the blessings of God to those who trust in the Lord. Trust in the Lord is expressed by submission to his will and ways. For those who trust in themselves or other humans or false gods, there will be no divine favor. Furthermore, those who do not trust in the God of Christianity cannot see prosperity even when it is before them.

Here is your business tip. Wise organizational leaders understand that God blesses alignment with his will and ways. Therefore, they seek to live aligned with God both individually and organizationally. This means that they will seek to understand their roles in the metanarrative and fulfill those roles aligned with values, principles, and practices that emanate from a Christian worldview. They will, therefore, build organizations with people who are committed to finding and fulfilling God’s purpose in their lives. Such people will enjoy divine favor. And organizations composed of such people and led by leaders who are committed to alignment with the will and ways of God will enjoy divine favor.

 
 
 
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