The Lord's approval of business, as a calling is very important to the large company of His people who are so engaged. The Lord referred to farming and business in Matthew 22:5, endorsing business to be as legitimate an occupation as farming. The fault of the servants was their refusal of the invitation to the marriage feast. Business He approves will always include doing what He specifically requests. The Holy Spirit enables you to put first the Lord's claims.

The interesting word used for "business" in Matthew 22:5 is 'emporia', (only here), meaning employed in commerce, business, trade, whereas the word 'emporion' means a "trading place", "exchange". (English, emporium). E.g John 2:16 "a house of merchandise." While Jesus does not condemn trading or trading houses, the warning He gave against using the place of worship or ministry as a business in order to get rich, is emphasised in all ages by the Holy Spirit. In the parable of the nobleman, who, before leaving for a far country for the purpose of receiving a kingdom, gave his servants money with the instruction

Luke 19:13,15 "...‘Do business till I come.' ¹⁵ And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading."

The word "business" ('pragmateuomai') means "to earn in business." Both words grant permission to engage in business. Jesus talked about money in this parable. Here are some of the points He makes:-

	He has entrusted capital to us to be used to earn profit.
	Business is to be conducted until His return.
	Profit gained by working with His approval will be rewarded.
	Faithful servants are aware that money entrusted to them is not their own.
	Business that has His approval is conducted to advance His interests.
	Misrepresenting the Lord leads to mismanagement and loss.
	If we do not use our opportunities for the Lord, they will be taken from us.

It needs to be a principle of business to seek the Lord's approval by the Holy Spirit, discounting mere self-approval (2 Corinthians 10:18 ). Do not conform to what the world approves (Romans 12:2 ). The renewed mind, serving in the realities of the kingdom, in the Holy Spirit, is acceptable to God, and recognised by men (Romans 14:17-18 ). The Holy Spirit of truth produces approved workers and those in business, who accurately handle and apply the "word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:14- 15 ).

The art of pretense has become highly developed in today's business world. Status symbols are paraded to hide the reality of the business finances; the product's worth is overstated, and pretentious claims made in the hope of making a fat killing. There are the genuine ones who are committed to excellent standards in their conduct and business. Such can be admired and their example followed. The Lord's people are to be known for the Biblical principle of sincerity in all their relationships. Paul applied this principal to both spiritual and business work:-

Romans 12:9 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."

The NIV puts the word "sincere" for hypocrisy. Your love towards others and to God must be void of pretensions.

Vine's Expository Dictionary says of the word 'anupokritos (lit. without hypocrisy) that it is used of love (2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Peter 1:22 ), of faith (1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5 ), and of wisdom (James 3:17 ). When love, courtesy, concern are not sincere, neither are they real, but only a pretence which is unacceptable. You "let" your love be honest and genuine by life in the Holy Spirit. In this same epistle Paul tells us that God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5 ). Now we are to let that love pour forth to others in Holy Spirit power. Probably "love" here refers to benevolence to others, that is, to have and express the good will of brotherly love to all mankind (Romans 12:10 ). Certainly God expects this of His business people.

Life in the Spirit is the outward flow of a changed heart full of God's love. When this principle of love without pretence is adhered to, it produces the kind of business person that pleases God.

	Sincere people do not steal, nor will they cheat (Leviticus 19:35-37 ).
	Sincere people have a mind to work and a drive to produce.
	Sincere people are protective of others and invest for growth.
	Sincere people have ability to prosper and pass on to the next generation a greater estate that they had to begin with.
	Sincere people, by restraining themselves from immediate gratification, provide ahead for unexpected demands or temporary setbacks.
	Sincere people can be summarised as workers, savers and givers.
	Sincere people have ability to discriminate what is abhorrent in a world of easy acceptance of wrong.
	Sincere people have deep feelings of resistance to wrong practices. This influences their choice of associates, and whether they get involved.
	Sincere people reject and hate what is unacceptable to the divine Helper.
	Sincere people put the highest value on that which is good, to which they cling as those welded to good.
	Sincere people know God is good and are participators in the divine nature.
	Sincere people bring the breath of reality to discussions and decisions.
	Sincere people have ongoing dealings with those they have proved to be sincere.
	Sincere people know they can only be consistently sincere by living their whole life in the Spirit.
	Sincere people welcome being reminded of Scripture principles by the Holy Spirit.

The Biblical principle of appreciation is not what is normal practice of the worldly. The worldly use appreciation to smooth their way and advance their own interests. Some use it to the point of flattery to get a contract signed, or get work done without having to pay more. Others, by praising the boss hope for a salary increase, or sweet talk him or her into advancing their position in the company. At every level of business there can be found instances of honouring or praising another in attempting to curry favour that could lead to gain, or some personal advantage.

In spite of the abuses of the principle of appreciation worldly people know that its absence can be very problematic. It can bring about discouragement and the withholding of new ideas that could expand the business, and the loss of good staff and ultimately a diminished company. When Holy Spirit scriptural acknowledgement, respect, and due honour are understood and practised, the benefits individually and collectively are wonderful and wholesome. The elements of the principle of appreciation and its application are to be found in Paul's letter to the Romans:

Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;"

The source from which the appreciation flows is kind affection, like the strong feelings that issue from family ties. Even the worldly business partnership and staff can know something of fraternity. The "brotherly love" emphasised and brought to your remembrance by the Holy Spirit, is a sharing in Christ's spirit of kinship with His own, and love for His own. Jesus measured His love for His own as matching the Father's love for Him (John 15:9 ). The divine Helper reminds you that the answered prayer of Jesus is that the very love wherewith the Father loved the Son is in you (John 17:26 ). As keepers of Christ's words, the Father loves you and with Christ in the Spirit, is resident in you (John 14:23 ) making it possible to live the new commandment of loving one another (John 13:34 ). The love of God that includes the world (John 3:16 ), in us, is the reason why we can love our enemies (Matthew 5:44 ).

The love of the Spirit is to flow through you in the habit of unselfishness, and tenderness making you willing to take the lead in honouring the other. Living in the Spirit you can overcome the natural tendencies to petty jealousies, and recognise they are not something to strive for. It is through the help of the Holy Spirit that you are able to surrender your personal interests in the interests of another, and in doing so you are showing to the business world the disposition of Jesus (Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3-5 ).