Moffatt's translation of this phrase is "Never let your zeal flag."

The application of the words is not to be limited to what you call spiritual service, rather diligence is required in all that occupies you. As a diligent worker you are to be alert, systematic, decisive, persistent, venturesome. The Holy Spirit is at work within you to transform you even in your business life. He changes you by fixing your focus on Jesus your glorious Lord. You are not only going to be transformed, you are now being changed (2 Corinthians 3:18 ). The Lord the Spirit came to indwell you to glorify Jesus in you (John 15:26; 16:14 ).

The Holy Spirit reminds us that Jesus was a worker - He was known to His countrymen as a tradesman (Mark 6:3 ); they were astonished by His work as a teacher and prophet. Jesus expressed the diligence of divinity in His work (John 5:17 ), and the constraint of diligence characterised His work (John 9:4 ). Doing His Father's work was nourishment to Him (John 4:34 ). You are to be like Jesus in finishing the work committed to you (John 17:4 ). The finished work of Jesus was accomplished through "the eternal Spirit" (Hebrews 9:14 ) and in the same "eternal Spirit" zeal in your work need never flag, so that you complete the things given to you to do.

The original word 'spoude' is rendered "haste" (NKJV), "hurried" (NIV) in Luke 1:39. "Diligence" in NKJV, in Romans 12:8,11; 2 Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:5. "Earnestness" (NIV) in 2 Corinthians 7:11, "Care" (NKJV) in 2 Corinthians 7:12. Let these renderings instruct you as to how to conduct business in a way that invites the divine Helper's involvement:-

	Business should be done without hesitation, having a set purpose (Luke 1:39 ).
	Business should be done with diligence. The leadership example is important (Romans 12:8 ).
	Business should be done with care, as doing everything in the sight of God (2 Corinthians 7:12; 2 Corinthians 8:16 ).
	Business should be done with earnestness, making every effort to do what is right (2 Corinthians 7:11 ).
	Business should be done with all zeal, cultivating, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the qualities of Christlikeness (2 Peter 1:5, compare verses 6-7 ).

A golden rule for outward activity is that it must be sustained by inner fervour. Enthusiasm is a driving force of business achievement. Chief executive officers of worldly business know the great value of motivation that excites both the interest and efforts of all involved in the company. He knows that enthusiasm in the Board Room among management and every operator, engenders growth. What is needed to stop slacking in diligence, according to the exhortation to the Romans, is being

Romans 12:11 "... fervent in spirit, ..."

The original word 'zeontes' is literally "being fervent, or boiling" (used only here and of Apollos, Acts 18:25). It is an inner experience of glowing and boiling. For the believer it is a boiling in spirit through the infilling of the fire of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a boiling over with the strong, practical and spiritual purpose. It is the Holy Spirit that keeps up the steam of your spiritual and practical business endeavours. There is much contained in the phrase "fervent in spirit": Here are some briefly stated thoughts for you to develop:-

	Fervency under the control of the Holy Spirit is a mighty force for God, while vehement personal feeling can be destructive.
	Fervency as Holy Spirit fire, overcomes all obstacles in its path.
	Fervency of the Spirit is impervious to persecutions.
	Fervency of the Spirit brings discovery of self-sacrifice, formerly thought impossible to us.
	Fervency infuses established forms of service with fresh interest.
	Fervency helps you to take in your stride, all necessary change.
	Fervency of Spirit boils over in generosity and inventiveness in meeting needs.
	Fervency gets done what others say cannot be done.
	Fervency provides the stimulation that prevents diligence from lagging behind.
	Fervency of Spirit is a requirement of the Lord. Its absence receives His rebuke.
	Fervency of the Spirit produces devoted service of the heart in the place of cold mechanical duty.
	Fervency in the Holy Spirit is a glowing fire that will not dim, like true love which cannot be quenched (Song of Solomon 8:7 ).

Worldly business, when offering a service, rarely has the principle of serving in mind. It is usually seizing an opportunity for financial gain. Neither does worldly business have any concept of serving the Lord God. Such serve wealth or possessions that unwittingly have become their master other than God (Matthew 6:24 ). There are spiritual people who have a high conception of the greatness of occupation and business as a provided means to glorifying God. They do their work with diligence and fervency because these are necessary to the principle that gives their lives true meaning (Romans 12:11 NKJV ) "serving the Lord."

The Holy Spirit glorifies the serving Christ Jesus in the lives of His people (John 16:14 ). They are reminded by the Spirit, of the teaching of Jesus that their service is to be singularly to God (Matthew 6:24 ); that their reason for service is love for God first and completely (Mark 12:30 ). Their standard of service is the perfect example of God the Father revealed in the unblemished life and service of Jesus, and possible through faith in Him (Matthew 5:48 ). Serving the Lord will be expressed in the greatness of serving mankind and His own (Luke 22:26-27 ); in love (Mark 12:31 ), and in humility (Matthew 20:26 ). Jesus showed that the purpose of life is not selfish (Philippians 2:1-8; Hebrews 12:2 ). The Holy Spirit strengthens our spirit with the view of Jesus that the fundamental principle of true life is not gain, but being used by the father to serve. Put to memory what Jesus said:

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

(See Acts 20:35 ). The Spirit of the Lord reminds you that Jesus gave the example of serving others, which must be followed (John 13:13-15; 1 Peter 2:21 ). More, the Spirit comes alongside to help you to serve like Him. The principle of serving the Lord in business can only be lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit:-

	Believers in business, serving the Lord, deserve deep admiration, for their example in triumphing in the Spirit over the special trials and temptations that their calling brings.
	Believers serving the Lord in business, have to be as sure of their calling to be business persons, that it is God's will for them. Paul could say he was an apostle by the will of God (2 Timothy 1:1 ). Whatever work you are doing you should have the witness of the Holy Spirit with your spirit that it is God's will.
	Believers, in fellowship with the Spirit, blend their business to the will of God.
	Believers, in serving the Lord in Business, sense the urgency of the Spirit to use each hour well.
	Believers know by the Spirit that tremendous issues depend on their faithfully completing their service for the Lord.
	Believers, in serving with the Spirit of Jesus, gladly bend their backs to the work.
	Believers, in serving the Lord, enjoy through the joy of the Spirit, the turning of labours of grey monotony into the glory of meaningfulness.
	Believers in business know they need to drink deep of the river of the Spirit's love, to flow in service to the Lord.
	Believers in the Spirit become the Lord's bondslaves to conduct His business in all they do (Exodus 21:2-6; Colossians 3:17,22-24 ).
	Believers who live by the principle of serving the Lord in business can pray in the Holy Spirit, summarising their desire in the words "In my work, Lord, be glorified today."

You can depend on the Holy Spirit to remind you of these and other Biblical business principles. No matter how confrontational they are to your present conduct, He will also prove to be the Enabler when you surrender to His control.