Intro

This week we continue our series on 10 Lessons from Management Consultants.  Last week we learned to view our time here on earth as a “business trip”, to subject ourselves to being of service, and to recognize that our “scope of work” for the kingdom of God is predetermined.  We’ll look at 3 more comparisons this week.

10 Lessons from Management Consultants: Scripture and Commentary

4. Rewards are earned for completion of service

Psalm 19:9-11

9 The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure.  It lasts forever.  The commands the Lord gives are true.  All of them are completely right.  10 They are more priceless than gold.  They have greater value than huge amounts of pure gold.  They are sweeter than honey that is taken from the honeycomb.  11 Your servant is warned by them.  When people obey them, they are greatly rewarded.

Colossians 3:23-25

23 Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. 24 Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be paid back for what they do. God treats everyone the same.

Galatians 6:7-9

7 Don’t be fooled. You can’t outsmart God. A man gathers a crop from what he plants. 8 Some people plant to please their desires controlled by sin. From these desires they will harvest death. Others plant to please the Holy Spirit. From the Spirit they will harvest eternal life. 9 Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.

Last week we discussed how consultants have a “statement of work” that outlines what will be done, when it will be completed, and how much the consultant will be rewarded.  It’s typical for payment to be either contingent on completing the entire statement of work, or, more frequently, on completion of defined portions of the work known as “milestones”.

Likewise, God has a statement of work for each one of us, determined before the foundations of the world were laid.  And just as consultants are rewarded for milestone completion, God’s servants are rewarded on earth for following in His ways, and rewarded even more at the “project’s end”.  Of course, consultant’s rewards on earth are material things, and will eventually wear out or perish.  God’s reward at the end of our earthly project will last for eternity- hallelujah!

5. We are expected to present a consistent image

Matthew 7:16-20

16 You can tell each tree by its fruit. Do people pick grapes from bushes? Do they pick figs from thorns? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit. But a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t bear bad fruit. And a bad tree can’t bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down. It is thrown into the fire. 20 You can tell each tree by its fruit.

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful 23 and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to his cross. They don’t want these things anymore. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become proud. Let us not make each other angry. Let us not want what belongs to others.

Each consulting firm has its own signature image.  Because we all generally followed the same Monday and Thursday flight schedule I used to amuse myself in the airport guessing which firm my fellow travelers worked for based on their clothes, shoes, and luggage.  The brand imaging is so consistent that I was seldom wrong, in fact in most cases I didn’t need to look beyond their shoes and overcoat!  Note that the firm doesn’t issue any of these items to the consultant, rather, the consultants choose them for themselves.  Yet the consistency persists.  What the firms do, very effectively, is provide a structure whereby the branding and expectations are clear.

God has also made our “branding expectations” clear.  We are characterized by a deep love of others, by devotion to things of heaven above those of earth, and by the fruits of the Spirit.  We must choose to clothe ourselves thus when we go out into the world.  God grant that telling us from unbelievers is as easy as distinguishing one firm from another!

6. Guidance and mentorship is provided

Romans 15:14

14 My brothers and sisters, I am sure that you are full of goodness. You are filled with knowledge and able to teach one another.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Galatians 5:25

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Romans 8:14

14 Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Consultants don’t have a true “boss”.  Instead, they are assigned to career counselors and mentors that advise them in their personal and career growth.  These counselors and mentors are responsible for providing instruction in the firm’s expectations, giving counsel when mistakes are made, and being a source of support, encouragement, and advice.

Likewise, God has provided us with two sources of counseling as we complete our earthly assignment.  First, Scripture makes it clear that we are to encourage, counsel, and advise one another.  But since we are all fallible, God has also provided his Holy Spirit as Supreme Counselor to guide us in our walk.

We’ll continue our series next week.  Until then, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, please share.

Be blessed.

K