By Ernest F. Parrish
January 24, 2023
Be a light through service
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:13-16, New International Version
You love God. You’re active in your local church and frankly touch many, many lives because of the business platform God has placed in your hands. Your desire is to maximize your platform without being too aggressive, resulting in offending those associated with your business.
If you put just the right amount of salt in your food, the flavor is enhanced, with everyone clamoring for more. But too much salt and folks turn away and won’t come near you! Many have bought into the lie “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Actually, you can! If you perfectly salt their oats, they’ll run to the water and drink.
“SALT” is Servants Alive Leaving Taste (the right amount). Leave a taste of the kindness of God, the goodness of God, and most importantly, the love of God. Nothing impacts like the unconditional love of God. Jesus never said, “love if.” He said to love them—even your enemies—and pray for them.
Light is Living Intentionally, Giving Hope Together.
In Oklahoma, on a hot summer night, thousands and thousands of June bugs are naturally drawn to the light on the porch. As we allow his light to shine brightly, people are naturally drawn to our light. They don’t understand it and can’t find the words to explain why they want to be around us, but it’s the light of life that comes from walking with Jesus that draws them in.
This is a new day and a new and higher calling being offered to his kings on Earth! Your faith, resources, and very life are now being called out and separated for his kingdom’s purposes. You’ve been given his anointing to assist you in every endeavor he places in your heart. Planning, strategy, resources, vision, and being intentional with all you have in your hands are his command today. Every business is going somewhere, but few are going somewhere on purpose—most are going by default.
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” —1 John 2:20, New International Version
Remember, God didn’t give you all these people to build a big business. Rather, he gave you a business to build big people! How well we care for our people by being salt and light is how we begin to discover the redemptive value in our business calling. For years, we have known there’s more to business than the bottom line. Now, we know what it is—being who he said we are: salt and light.
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About Ernest F. Parrish
For the past 40+ years EF Parrish has invested his life in building relationships with people. Whether as a sales director with Sprint Communications Company, a children’s pastor with a local mega-church, or VP of Sales for a large office equipment dealer, Parrish brings over 40 years experience as a business executive, minister and published author. One of Parrish’s deep passions in life is building disciples of Jesus Christ, by giving away what he has gained in his fifty+ years of walking with Christ.
Responding to the importance Parrish places on relationships, he founded Corporate Care in 1987. The business currently provides corporate chaplaincy services to thousands of employees in numerous businesses.