"It is not by the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we can expect our dinner, but from their regard for their own interest. By directing that industry in such a manner as its produce be of greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention."
Who do you suppose this "invisible hand" refers to?
Actions not necessarily intended to benefit society directly may in fact have more direct benefit than those which are specifically planned and performed solely to benefit society.
This is exactly what happens when we take our daily lives and work seriously as a bona fide ministry to God rather than viewing our daily lives as profane and our holy duty is concerned with churchy things....
So for example - instead of donating funds to a charity, hire a young man into your business and mentor him. Your business will do better because some of the weight is lifted from your shoulders.... And the young man will receive the blessings of wages and benefits that will allow him to move his own life forward - and he will give God thanks for these blessings in his life.
In the same context - consider what Jesus is telling us when he speaks of offerings and says the comment (Matt 5:23-24) that settling a dispute with a brother has more significance to God as a holy act than offering sacrifice... That doing this will prepare you to offer an acceptable sacrifice.
We need to think of the normal grind of daily life as perhaps our most significant actual ministry to God rather than viewing it as the "wood, hay, and stubble" of daily life.
Thanks
Who do you suppose this "invisible hand" refers to?
Actions not necessarily intended to benefit society directly may in fact have more direct benefit than those which are specifically planned and performed solely to benefit society.
This is exactly what happens when we take our daily lives and work seriously as a bona fide ministry to God rather than viewing our daily lives as profane and our holy duty is concerned with churchy things....
So for example - instead of donating funds to a charity, hire a young man into your business and mentor him. Your business will do better because some of the weight is lifted from your shoulders.... And the young man will receive the blessings of wages and benefits that will allow him to move his own life forward - and he will give God thanks for these blessings in his life.
In the same context - consider what Jesus is telling us when he speaks of offerings and says the comment (Matt 5:23-24) that settling a dispute with a brother has more significance to God as a holy act than offering sacrifice... That doing this will prepare you to offer an acceptable sacrifice.
We need to think of the normal grind of daily life as perhaps our most significant actual ministry to God rather than viewing it as the "wood, hay, and stubble" of daily life.
Thanks