The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. – Matthew 25:16

Is God in favor of business and growth? There are some who consider it wrong for a believer to do business. Some have the philosophy that if it is God’s will for them to prosper, He will do it and they don’t have to do a thing about it!

These are wrong concepts about God and His view of work. The Scripture given above is a part of the story Jesus told regarding work/business. Here the boss, signifying God, highly commends his staff who did work wisely with and multiplied the resources He gave them. Interestingly, the boss rebukes the staff who did nothing with the given resource.

It is the Lord’s will and pleasure that you would put to work all that He has given you and grow in it. It is never His will to see you simply keeping what he has given you. Whatever He has given you is for you to do business with and make a profit for His Kingdom’s sake.

Take some time now to think about all the things that God has given you. It may include abilities to write, speak, paint, draw, create, minister, manage, lead, raise funds, donate, co-ordinate, cook, read, memorize, encourage, comfort, etc. Jot them down in a paper. Start employing them in areas where you are at.

Don’t waste what He has invested in you. Employ them ethically according to the Word and bring forth increase. This is what Jesus expects from you.

So whether you are an entrepreneur, student, minister, home maker or a person doing any kind of work, do business with your God-given skills passionately, wholeheartedly and excellently and be one of the top best in your area of activity.

Never settle for the second best. Stand up and go for it!

- – - written by Joe Abraham

Grant O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, carefully examine, truly know and perfectly fulfill those things that are pleasing to You and to the praise and glory of Your holy name.

Direct my life, O my God, and grant that I might know what you would have me to do and for me to fulfill it as is necessary and profitable to my soul.

Grant to me, O Lord my God, that I may not be found wanting in prosperity or in adversity and that I may not be lifted up by one nor cast down by the other.

May I find joy in nothing but what leads to You and sorrow in nothing but what leads away from You.

May I seek to please no one or fear to displease anyone save only You.

Grant to me, O Lord God,
- a vigilant heart that no subtle speculation may ever lead me from You;
- a noble heart that no unworthy affection may draw me from You;
- an upright heart that no evil purpose may turn me from you.

Give me a steadfast heart that no tribulation may shatter and a free heart that no violent affection may claim as its own.

And finally, grant me O Lord my God, a mind to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you.

Give me a way of life pleasing to You; perseverance to trust and await You in confidence that I shall embrace You at the last. Amen.

- – - prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas

If we could reflect a bit, we could be a little better in our spiritual life.

Spiritual life is always at risk unless we take much care of it. It is almost same as physical health as far as the care and concern is needed for its sustenance. All of us find challenges and downfalls in our spiritual journey. But how often we recover and go forward?

Suppose we find one of our vehicles suddenly broke down on the way during the journey. Before calling a mechanic for help, we will surely check whether there is enough fuel. If we are sure that the fuel is over, then we would never call for help. Apply this to spiritual life too.

Prayer is the fuel of spiritual life. If we are sure that our spiritual life is broken down due to lack of prayer, then there is no use in getting advice from anyone regarding its recovery. If prayer life is sound and good then we may look for other options.

In physical life if we have gone through some serious illness, we need enough time for recovery. Just after being healed we would never take up hard works. It would make us sick again. After an illness what is required of us is the recovery of health. Sin makes us spiritually sick. But through the sacrament of confession, we would have been healed. Do not right away go to undertake heavy spiritual loads. First and foremost recover our health through prayer and being in the presence of the Lord.

Another challenge in our spiritual journey is the problem of bad habits. St. Augustine would say, ‘evil is the privation of goodness.’ Suppose there is a hole on the floor, we can never remove it by taking it away. If we try to do so, the hole will become even bigger. We should fill it with something else. We are trying for years and years, to take away our sinful dispositions and bad habits. It is as trying to take away a hole. Every sin and drawback is a privation; fill it with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Invite the Holy Spirit to help you and make you stronger in that area. We can’t take away darkness as such, without bringing light to the dark place to make it bright. The problem is that darkness is not an entity in itself, but a privation of light. We can become spiritually strong, by filling ourselves with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Many a time we think that God has punished us because we have sinned. We tend to think as this one of the reasons of our spiritual fall. God never punishes anyone who repents over the sins committed. He is mercy and love.

Suppose someone drinks acid; should anyone come to him and burn him? No. Why? Acid by nature is burning. By the very fact a person has drunk acid, he is allowing himself to be burned. As such sin carries with it the punishment too. No sin is good for human body or soul.

So one who sins is supposed to bear the evil consequences of sin. Therefore we must be very vigilant in our spiritual life, for keeping the holiness of our body and mind.

- – - written by Jinto Mathew