Stand Firm in Your Faith
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. (Col 2:2)
Paul writes confidently to the Colossians about his goal: he desires and works hard towards their gaining the full riches of complete understanding; standing on this firm knowledge foundation, they can glorify God and live fulfilled lives. In encouraging people to stand firm in faith, there is often a worry that faith is disconnected from our living reality, and it is tempting for many people to pursue technology and business concepts that ‘work’ without due regard to principles from the Word of God. It is very interesting when hard work in academic studies and world changing research proves that our faith principles are excellent and spot on. Take for example, Paul quoted Jesus to have said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35). Is this true? Is it better to get and amass more and more things, or to give it away – what would you rather do? I have been a critic of large donor organizations who come into Africa and take away our blessings by donating to us while we are not likewise donating substantially.
There is a whole study on today’s techno-philanthropists who are a different breed – Peter Diamandis writes; while the industrial revolution focused philanthropy locally, the high-tech revolution inverted the equation, in recognition that the world is more globally connected. In the past, things that happened in Africa or China were not known in New York. Today, everyone knows about everything instantly. Our problems are much more interrelated as well, and everything from climate change to pandemics has roots in different parts of the world, but they affect everybody. In this way, global has become the new local. One key difference is that the older givers gave late in their years, while the new givers start giving early and for much bigger impacts in society. One truth holds, though, in all this philanthropy – old and new – that giving and the blessings that come with it are a reality just as Jesus said. Those givers just keep growing richer and richer! It is true, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
I have used only one principle to illustrate that our faith principles hold a lot of water. Stand firm in your faith. You will experiences insults and questions that may be higher than your capacity; you may even be scorned and turned away by close friends and business associates, but when you stand firm long enough, they will only turn around to realize those faith principles are the only ones that will stand the test of time.
God bless you all.