If the whole world belongs to God, how then should we live? Not just in relationship to the world itself, but in our daily conduct and business. In chapter four of A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, Law makes the following observation, “As a good Christian should consider every place as holy, because God is there, so he should look upon every part of his life as a matter of holiness, because it is to be offered unto God.” He continues in the chapter to note that each profession should be held in honor as they live to the glory of God.
Law is insisting that no matter what station of life we are in, whether male or female, rich or poor, there are proper and right ways to conduct our lives for God’s glory. The same is true for the businessman, the farmer, and the pastor. Each occupation will have guidelines that make them lawful in the eyes of the community, but that is not where people should end. The occupation will also have ways in which to act that bring glory to God. The businessman is not to make money for his own ends and purposes. The farmer does not simply grow food to store into a barn for himself. The pastor does not lead and preach to be known of men. All of life is to be considered for the glory of God, because God is the giver of life.
While people may confess that God is over all and in all the details of life, we must be careful to admit and examine our lives to see if we conduct our daily lives in light of this reality. Jesus cautions us with growing prosperous with no thought concerning our eternal souls (Luke 12:20). Law makes this convicting statement near the end of the chapter, “It is therefore absolutely certain that no Christian is to enter any farther into business, nor for any other ends, than such as he can in singleness of heart offer unto God, as a reasonable service.” And again, he says, “For to be vain, or proud, or covetous, or ambitious, in the common course of our business, is as contrary to these holy tempers of Christianity, as cheating and dishonesty.” There are no small sins when our God is the God of the universe. There is no part of our lives that should not be submitted to His will and guidance.
Study Questions:
What are some practical ways that your daily business can be used to glorify God?
Are there areas where you have not considered the glory of God and the good of others?
How would living for the glory of God in every area change your current actions?
How does the “end” for which you are working change how you live?
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