Can Jesus “Save” Your Business
March 24, 2012 7 Comments
You Are Already Successful
That’s right. You are already successful. Plain and simple. I bet you a million dollars you’re reading this blog post on a computer that cost more than what the majority of the world earns in a year; or on an iPad that cost the same amount of money that could feed a village in Africa for a month.
I am so incredibly blessed. I have a beautiful, God-loving wife who is amazing at her craft and wants to make a difference in the world. I have a whip-smart daughter gifted with an amazing voice that moves people. I have an amazing son who is a Lego master. I make enough money in my business to support my family and RENT at 4-bedroom, 3-bath house. I drive a 2005 Dodge Caravan that looks like you would expect: that a 7-year-old sits in the back seat. 
But, it’s paid off and gets me from point A to point B. There are times when business is booming and I have eight months of money in the bank. Then there are times when business slows down and I’m working frantically just to get through the next month.
But no matter how good or bad it is, God has been faithful. Every single time we need the money, something comes in. Sometimes it’s one gig that is just enough for the next big payment we have. Sometimes it’s a huge gig that carries us for four months. I pray boldly every day, but then use my God-given gifts as a businessman and a professional artist to support my family.
Do I want more? Heck yes. But I try to stay grounded in the TRUTH that I am already successful. He has already blessed me financially. And he’s blessed you too.
So, in answer to the question of this blog pos: “yes,” I believe Jesus CAN save my business. But He didn’t come to save my business. He came to save ME.
About Ron Dawson
Ron, I dig you more every post you make. This one is so “right on target” it sings. Kudos, and thanks for putting this out there.
I agree 100%! Well written.
Ron, I’ve had the same experiences over the last 6 years or so. Every time I get into the “living day-to-day” time of year, I get a large enough order from one of three religious related clients that gets me through. This has happened every year for 6 years! I thank Him every day for that. Peace!
You left out that you have a great spiritual gift in leadership, helping people achieve their goals and growing their own gifts/talents.
Thank-you.
For everything.
Love God. Love people.
I dunno Ron,
I’m going to be a little bit of a devil’s advocate here. Did those jobs come through because Jesus loves you or did they come through because you continue to bust your butt, make your clients happy, network, do great work and keep moving?
Said differently, if the jobs hadn’t come through would that mean Jesus doesn’t love you or you don’t have enough faith? This has always been my challenge with prosperity gospel. I don’t think a person’s success or failure says anything about their faith or God’s love for them. To be honest I don’t know why one person succeeds and another fails. I just know that if I find myself in a tough position I’m glad to know that I’m loved anyway and that I’m not there because of something I did that was spiritually wrong.
Am I seeing this the wrong way? Asking an honest question here, not challenging a faithful perspective.
JC
Hey JustJim,
As one of the characters in “Meet the Robinsons” is fond of comically saying throughout the movie, “that’s an excellent question.” I’m very glad you asked.
First, I wrote this blog post as my personal response to what seems very much like “prosperity gospel” style movements I see rising in the visual arts industry. As I understand prosperity gospels, it’s that by putting your faith in God and praying boldly, God will not only bess you, He’ll RICHLY bless you. What I’m trying to offer is a perspective that you don’t need to aspire to have a fancy car, bling-bling, expensive clothes, or the biggest and best cameras and lenses to be a “success.” I, like you, don’t want people feeling like they don’t have enough faith just b/c they don’t have a certain level of business or material success.
More to your point, I think I got those jobs BOTH because of God’s love and provision AND because I continue to bust my butt. I recently watched a great sermon series by Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church. The sermon series essentially was about God being big enough for what he called “diametrically opposed dichotomies.” God offers grace AND justice. There is free will AND God is sovereign. God provides AND you have to work. He’s big enough to do both. (Ironically, some of Steven’s preaching about prayer one could argue borders “prosperity gospel,” particularly his “Sun Stand Still” line of teaching. But I find most of his sermons to be just passionate encouragement to love Jesus and follow his way.)
When I say God is faithful, it’s my belief and trust that ALL good things come from Him. It’s my faith and ability to keep busting my butt, even when the economy sucks, and trust that He will bless my endeavors. But it’s about perspective. I see a $500 gig as a blessing. And I see a $10,000 gig as a blessing. I see an unexpected gift from a friend or family member as a blessing and equally attribute that to God’s provision.
My biggest desire is for people to have a new perspective. As I state in the video, anyone who has the technology to read this post or watch my video is a financial success. But our industry has such an obsession with “Image,” many people don’t see it like that. They put their self-worth in the cars they drive, or the cameras and lenses they own, or the new iPad they just got. They feel the need to go out and put 16 grand on a credit card so they can get the new Canon cinema camera or the RED Scarlett, instead of renting it. They post photos of themselves and their new toys and people congratulate them as if they just found the cure to cancer or something. There’s nothing wrong with wanting those things, but the industry’s obsession to “look the part” and maintain a certain image, I think leads to dangerous behavior and misplacement of self-worth.
Lastly, and most important for me as a Christ follower, Jesus didn’t come for me to have a booming video or photography business. Heaven forbid, if I lost it all, or if I felt called to go in a different direction, I want to have the proper perspective in life where I could do it and continue to trust in Him.
Thanks for your comment. I hope you come back and comment again on future posts.
Amen and amen!!