Written by Joseph T. Lee
Most of you know that although I am a marketplace minister, and I also work a regular 9 to 5 job. Many great Biblical leaders worked at a trade to earn an income, such as Moses and Paul. They were both tent makers. Well, I am also a “tent maker” but I do not make tents. I work in the insurance industry selling personal lines insurance products. I have been doing this for over 20 years and have been involved in ministry, from singing in a gospel group to ministering to people in the hospital and preaching funerals. My most favorite thing to do for the cause of Christ is to teach others how to live a life of Christ as well as lead the lost to Christ Jesus. You could call me a co-vocational minister. I wanted to set the stage to what I would like to discuss with you, so that you may see where this subject matter came from and why we are discussing it.
Just last week, we had a prospect come to us through a referral service we use. A woman and her family were referred to us for help with their insurance needs. We provide car insurance and well as homeowners insurance to these referrals. It is our job to analyze their situation and determine the very best products and coverages for them.
My assistant gathered all the information from this woman and then passed it on to me for quoting. I got the woman’s insurance package and was reviewing it and saw that this woman and family were living with other people. She did not want to disclose the other people.
When I called her, I advised her that I needed the names, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers for all the drivers. I also needed a copy of her insurance company policy declarations pages to verify proof that she had prior insurance. Unfortunately, she did not want to provide this information and abruptly said, “You have wasted my time!” Then she abruptly hung up without allowing me to finish a response.
Over the years, I have had people to curse at me, be rude, and someone once tried to kill me when I was a police officer. For some reason, her response hurt me the most. It wasn’t that I knew her personally, as I did not. This was the first-time meeting. It was her response that surprised and hurt me the most! Our conversation started out well and then once I said I needed something that she did not want to provide, her whole demeanor changed and turned very ugly in nature.
As Christians, we are to strive to act as well as speak like Christ. We are not supposed to be acting like the rest of the world. The Bible says in James 3:8, “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” This one small organ can tear down a person with the most hateful and evil words. It can also shout praises to God as well as build others up by encouraging them in the ways of our Lord. See James 3:9, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”
As Followers of Christ Jesus, we are to lift others up. Encourage them and try to help them in their walk with Christ. We are to speak with love and not try to insult and tear down others, even if we do not agree with them.
As for those of you who are professing Christians, even if you are dealing with someone who is not a Christian, still treat them with respect. You never know if YOU were the cause for someone not to come to Christ because of your hate and discrimination against those whom you do not care for.
See Mark 12:30-31, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” John 15:12, Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Romans 12:10, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Showing love to one another means that when we speak to each other, we do not try to tear someone down. We don’t make comments like “You have wasted my time.” Therefore, to the one that said that to me, I do not hold resentment towards you. I do forgive you. God has led me to write about this so that others can learn that we are to show love and compassion to each other, even in business dealings.
We are to love even those who we do not agree with politically. Everyone in existence is your neighbor. Love will always prevail when it comes to Christ Jesus. I pray that if you do not have love for others, that you will repent immediately.
The Lord’s Prayer is awesome but does have a warning afterwards. The Lord’s Prayer is in Matthew 6;9-13. But look at Matthew 6:14-15, “ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Let that sink in. We are mandated to forgive. Period! I pray that you will love God, forgive others, show respect for others, and treat others with honor. That is how you can show God’s love to one another.
Photo Credit: Text Art
Copyright March 19, 2023. Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved.