In this age

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18:29-30

 I read this verse in Johannesburg while surrounded by a team of South African, Malaysian and US consultants who had left things behind to be part of a rēp Venture. They temporarily left their families, their homes, their jobs “for the sake of the kingdom of God.” It took courage, time and money. Was it worth it? 

 On our final day with the businesses the leaders shared what God had done in their lives and businesses over the course of the two week Consultation. Lives were changed, businesses repurposed, and God did a stream of marketplace miracles.

• For some, thinking was radically renewed regarding God’s view of business, and their business in particular
• Others had breakthrough product and business ideas
• New friendships were formed, and people bonded deeply
• We saw marketplace miracles, such as:

• A crane broke and then started working at just the right time
• A large deposit came through for a property purchase
• A tax refund helped another business with cash flows
• New clients came in the door for some, reviving their businesses
• A client took a leap of faith to leave his office for two weeks, but did two-thirds of his monthly revenue, without being in the office. He also solved a partnering dilemma with a breakthrough and new deal that was concluded while his consultants prayed.
• Most heartening, perhaps, was the real growth in the people themselves. Many were greatly encouraged to discover that business is ministry, and that God provides creative ways to radically increase the kingdom impact of their business. 

I was again blown away to see earnest consultants diligently serving fellow marketplace ministers. We were “on the road” for nearly three weeks. We did leave family, wives, etc. for a short season. The leaving is real, but so is the sense that we are part of something far bigger than ourselves, that our work will still be there when our lives are done, and that we are indeed playing a small part in furthering the kingdom of God. 

“…will receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” 

We received many times in those few weeks: many new friends, many new family members, many new lasting kingdom relationships. And we will spend eternity together. This is beyond cool.

Reflections 

• Are you using both eyes to see things: one for “this age” and one for “the age to come”?
  
  
• Are you letting the awareness of things given up today prevent you from staying sold out to God’s purposes?