Jesus asked His businessmen disciples if they could drink His cup. It’s the same question He’s asking you and I, “Can you drink your cup?” Sonship has a precondition of maturity and covenant. Are you willing to do what Father is doing? For richer or poorer, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health?
Youthfulness and exuberance in business mixed with a touch of bravado and optimism have a unique scent (diaper). The fragrance of maturity is tempered with humility and wisdom.
The Past – You can always discern depth in businesspeople. It’s often brokenness.
There is a beautiful fragrance on those who have survived the setbacks and failures. Some have unforgettable bankruptcies in finances and staff that leave a mark. Their hope is in God, not their business prowess.
1Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
The Future – Youthful entrepreneurs can only imagine a future that is brighter and brighter. But wisdom anticipates uncertainty in market changes and personal failures in a healthy way. They have already decided that cause supersedes catastrophe. They don’t expect all roses all the time. Something other than outward appearances and superficial success drives them.
Their house is built on Father’s purpose. Their motivation is rooted two basic aspects of their relationship with God, 1) they live on bread, the living words of Father’s purpose, the desires of their Father’s heart that are new every day, and 2) they have a cup, a covenant with their Father that His purpose comes first, whether it’s easy or hard. Those two things remain the same even when everything else is gone. Father himself is our most treasured heritage.
1 Cor 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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Take this Bread – Living Words, Purpose (I Am the Bread of Life, Jn 6:35)
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Take this cup – Put the Kingdom 1st (whether its wealth or suffering)
The Cup – We each have a cup or calling. We each have desires in our hearts written there by God. We each want God to bless and prosper our lives and business. What maturity looks like in Sons is that Father’s purpose supersedes our personal expectations. Sons are triumphant overcomers, but their success is defined in God’s eyes, not men’s. Paul was supernaturally chosen and said yes to his Cup. He wrote a significant part of the New Testament, yet he died penniless and blind in a Roman prison. You must see Paul’s life in terms of his purpose to understand the magnitude of his success. He would be a failure by the standards we normally use in business.
The Fruit – Wealth and business are uncertain. Market changes, product demand, and national economies can swing a business wildly. Covid is a good example of governments intentionally shutting down economies and shuttering businesses.
The real fruit is that a Son with a living purpose somehow always lands on his feet. Kingdom purpose embraced in the Cup is Father’s covenant with us that He will intervene for His sons. Spiritual and natural warfare are realities we can’t avoid, yet sons overcome them or preempt them routinely. It’s not in their own strength; it’s through the power of God’s spirit working in us. That’s the difference.
Have you said yes to your cup? Do you know your Kingdom Purpose? Have you leveraged your business to embrace that purpose intentionally?
Rom 8:27-28 “…the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Fruit That Remains – Ok John, how do we measure success in the Kingdom? We start with a simple definition of eternal life. How much of our dream, goals, and aspirations remain?
1Pet 1:24-25 “For, all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
1. Intentional – Being intentional is a trademark of good business. We are very intentional about creating value, developing leaders, communicating offers, managing cash flow, monitoring metrics. Kingdom businesspeople are equally intentional about knowing Father’s purpose and giving it priority. They measure treasure in heaven just like treasure on earth. They think about eternal value and consequences.
2. Intentional Reformation – Kingdom business puts a high value on doing what Father is doing. They catch the vision for Sonship, Ascension, and Reformation. It’s not business as usual.
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Sons – recognize being part of God’s Family, have access to Father’s Living Words
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Ascension – they are present in their seat in Heaven. Fluent in Father’s:
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Courts – to reverse accusations and release decrees
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Council – to converse with the seven spirits and bring Heaven to Earth
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Reformation – they see and share Father’s strategy to bless people and nations. They are vessels of anointing. God’s power and authority move through them.
3. Building Ecclesia – They graciously disciple sons on their staff. They are inviting staff, partners, and customers into shared Kingdom Purpose and into their own hearts. They are transparent examples of those who love being themselves; those who have fun doing what Father is doing. They see co-laboring with Father starts now and extends beyond this life. They see treasure in heaven in the sons they mentor.
Can you drink this cup? It’s new wine. The best has been saved for last. Sons translate Father’s purpose to business value that blesses people and returns Fruit that remains (Wealth on earth, and treasure in Heaven).
John Garfield
