Good help is hard to find, or so the saying goes. In my experience this statement rings true. Apparently it has been this way since the very beginning—even Adam had to go through a long list of applicants before he woke up one day to find someone suitable for the task of tending to the abundant life in God's garden!
What did God give Adam? A strong-willed, curious, beautiful woman! Any teaching suggesting God doesn't mix business with pleasure is a fallacy if you ask me. Our Father's business is His pleasure! ('Eden' means pleasure).
Imagine being placed in paradise on your first day of work and someone tells you your job is to tend to the pleasure of God and—by the way—God's not fully pleased unless you are also delighted, so He makes you an incredibly beautiful woman to help you out.
There's just one rule, but it's so you don't die ... Everything else is free though, and eat whatever you want. God sounds like a good boss! Is there anything more corrupted than a mind unable to see the goodness of God?
Lessons from experience
Having played and enjoyed competitive basketball at different levels since the age of 12 I have slowly learnt a few things. I have played on some bad teams, some average teams and some really good teams. Here are a few things I believe must be in order to maximise pleasure and potential when playing.
- Players must have comparable skill levels. This does not mean being as skilled as each other in every area, but able to respond to the others skills with comparable fluency in your area of expertise.
- There must be a leader or captain to direct.
- Everyone must know and accept their roles.
- You have to love the game!
As an employee and a business owner I realise it's hard to get good or 'comparable' employees. They exist, but usually you have to either train them yourself or they are your flesh and blood.
I believe a business should not just be measured by its yearly profits but its generational blessings, both for its owners and the community at large. The Father and Son model is the first and ideal model of business God established on earth and it is not available for shareholders. Nor is it for sale. It is, and always will be a family run business.
Sons, no matter how long or far-gone, no matter the years wasted, upon returning will always have a place above servants. Of course no business like this could be possible without a woman to help. She brings pleasure to her husband and gives life to her sons. As the scripture says 'Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.' (Proverbs chapter 31, verses 10–11).
Family was always God's way
The kingdom of God is a family business, and it is a great pleasure doing business with God. He is in the business of abundant life, teeming life, multiplying life. He takes pleasure in life!
The good news of the kingdom is the glory of life! The pleasure of God! I think if someone actually told us what the bride of Christ was capable of, even destined for, we would laugh in unbelief like Abraham's wife Sarah: 'After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure?'
Life, pleasure, business and family: God does not separate such things. Christ wears a seamless garment. The kingdom of God from top to bottom is woven of one piece. What makes a comparable helper? The compatibility for life producing, pleasure-inducing, and earth replenishing UNION!
I wish the Church knew, not only will her marriage to Christ bring her pleasure, but she also has been entrusted to carry His life: His business, His House and His
dominion.
Just as God has woven all things into Christ, so Christ has woven Himself in His Bride. He is not ashamed to entrust you concerning the Father's business, nor to say: 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh'. God wants to share his pleasure with you; after all, it's the Father's Eden to give you.
Joshua Robbie is from the Gold Coast Australia where he runs a painting and decorating business. He recently started a church fellowship with his wife Rene' in Currumbin Queensland. Though he has many interests, including basketball and surfing, he with Rene' have determined to give themselves in service to the kingdom of God in all aspects of life.
Josh Robbie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/josh-robbie.html