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<p>A useful point of departure for the subject of business and
religion or business and Christianity is to debunk the notion that the two are
dichotomous (exist as parallels). We tend to view business as something far
removed from the spirit of religion, a jungle governed by the laws of the rabid
street grind where only the fittest survive… and religion as that cloistered
environ far removed from the madding hustle and bustle of life. However, inspiration
has a different view altogether: </p>
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<p>“Religion and business are not two separate things: they are
one.” Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Pub. Assn., 1900), p. 349.</p>
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<p>In exploring the subject of fire proofing our enterprises I
would like us to employ the building motif so as to draw out some timeless and
universal lessons. In doing so we will compare and contrast the building of the
ark (Genesis 6 and the building of the tower of babel Genesis 11 1-9) </p>
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<h3> The construction of Noah’s Ark work was
directed by God while the construction of the tower of babel was a human
(Nimrod’s) directive.&nbsp; Build with God. </h3> 


God always completes what He begins, He is the author and finisher of our faith
(Hebrews 12:2) and He will complete the good work he has started (Philippians
1: 6). In Gen 11:3 the rebellious community in Shinar took an initiative to
build. they said one to another “Come let us” but the object of their
enterprise was never accomplished. In verse 7 God’s employed the same phrase “Come
let us...” and took an initiative to curtail the work of the rebels and He achieved
the object of His move as the work of the builders was surely accomplished.
(Gen 11:8) 

<h3> The ark was built in obedience and the
tower was built in defiance. </h3> 

Noah built the ark in obedience to God’s directive
while Nimrod masterminded the building of the tower in defiance to the order
from God to scatter around the and repopulate the earth. 

<h3> The ark was built on the basis of trust </h3>
while the tower was built on the basis of distrust. Noah trusted the word of
God that a flood (a completely alien concept and phenomenon to him at that
time) would come. The tower was built on the basis of distrusting the promise
God had made of not destroying the world with water (flood) again.

<h3> The ark was built with God-made
materials, the tower was built with man-made materials. </h3>

“They used brick
instead of stone, and tar for mortar” Gen 11: 3. Disengaged from God the agitators
did not know what was coming hence their architecture was miscalculated. 

<h3>The ark was built for a noble purpose while the tower was built to make a name. </h3>

The rebels desired to make a great name and create a great legacy for themselves but their quest for fame precipitated disgrace. The name they made for themselves and the name they have come to be known by through the ages is “babel”, a name for confused noise. When they started the project, this is certainly not the great name they had in mind. Aim to be purposeful and not to be great, greatness is God’s prerogative. God said to Abraham, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Gen 12:2 God promised greatness to Abraham and it materialized, Abraham did not pursue greatness. 

<h3> The ark was built in, and for dependence on God while the tower was built for independence </h3> Sometimes as humans we can work so hard not because we are diligent and obedient stewards but just to ensure that we do not have to need God in our lives. Nothing could be more disingenuous that this mode of thinking. God is the source of everything including life and prosperity.
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<h2> The Ark Was Water Proof </h2>
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<p>The ark survived the violent storm because the originator of
the storm and the architect of the ark were the same person. Only God knows the
intensity of the storm that is coming and only He can accurately determine how
strong the house you are building must be. He knows the materials that will
stand the impending storms. Without the master builder you can build but you
are building in the dark and building with the wrong materials, you are
building on sand. You may have an idea of the looming storms but you have nor expertise
nor the accuracy to build a house that will withstand the intensity of the
storm. When the storms come the house will fall and great will be the fall. It
is time now to involve the master architect in building the house. Noah would
testify that this way you are building on the rock and when (not If) the storms
comes, for they will surely come, your house will stand. Even the architecture
of the ark was directed by God and was thus built with strong and appropriate materials,
ultimately the ark was preserved by God through angels that excel is strength
not the cypress or gopher wood it was built with. The take Home: God can only
protect and sustain that which is His. We are not fighting flesh and blood but
supernatural principalities hence we need a mighty God as our ever-present
anchor. </p>
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<p>The tower was perhaps water proof but certainly not fire
proof - they did not know what was coming. </p>
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<p>“The builders were wholly unable to account for the strange
misunderstandings among them, and in their rage and disappointment they
reproached one another. Their confederacy ended in strife and bloodshed.
Lightnings from heaven, as an evidence of God's displeasure, broke off the
upper portion of the tower and cast it to the ground. Men were made to feel
that there is a God who ruleth in the heavens.” Patriarchs and Prophets
(Chapter 10)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;They had built with
water in mind but two things came and out maneuvered their scheme, language
barrier and lightning. The project was not confusion-proof nor fire proof just
like all Godless enterprises. &nbsp;</p>
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<p><h3> Integrity is Trust in God</h3></p>
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<p>Ultimately, Christianity only works when an ecosystem of trust has actualized between God and man. You see it is great that we can trust God. God is faithful and there is no shadow of turning with Him. However, it is greater for us, When God can trust us. And the ecosystem of godliness is that God can only trust those who trust Him. God is the only reliable integrity insurer or insurance for all humanity, human beings outside God are as reliable as a locomotive disengaged from the rail. A human being is as reliable as He relies on God. A human being is as trustworthy as much as He/she can trust God. God can only trust you when your collateral is Himself. God can only trust you when your net worth is His steadfastness. It is only in this context that we can have meaningful prosperity in all our God assigned purposes. </p>
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<p>As For me and my household, we will serve the Lord!&nbsp; Joshua 24:15 </p>
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