This is my brother and me with our wives at Manowe.
Years ago, when my genius little brother was beginning his remarkable career, he told me a story. Since he's my brother I believe it. Of course, I'd believe it even if he wasn't my brother because it is too poignant to be a fabrication. It's about clarity, responsibility and accountability.
It seems my brother (who shares my first name - the unremarkable and often overlooked letter "R") was picking up Klaus Jacobs. He is Walther's son and Johann's grandson, the third Jacobs generation to lead the company as the Jacobs Suchard CEO. (How Matt got the privilege of picking Klaus up at the airport is beyond me, but apparently it wasn't beyond him.)
My brother was involved in the purchasing aspects of business and these were days when Jacobs Suchard was purchasing a lot: chocolate, cocoa, cocoa powder and industrial cocoa butter...and the Begian chocolate company Côte d'Or along with E.J. Brach (for a price of $750 million) in America. So my brother's work was important to Jacobs Suchard's CEO.
After greeting the VIP CEO at the gate, Matt picked up his bag and they started walking. They hadn't gone far when Klaus stopped, turned to my brother and demanded,
"Tell me. What exactly do you do to help me make money?"
The question is a fair one. After all, this guy is in charge of the whole enterprise. If Klaus wants to ask anyone he employs about the work they do for him, he can.
Last weekend I suggested that's also true of God.
If the CEO of a company that makes chocolate can demand an accounting of his people, the Lord who made us on purpose, with purpose and for a purpose can demand a report from His people too.
At any time He has the perfect right to inquire of any of us:
"Tell me. What exactly do you do to help me feed hungry people?"
"Tell me. What exactly do you do to advance My Kingdom?"
"Tell me. What exactly do you do to make disciples for Me?"
With that in mind I printed the questions listed below in last weekend's program.
I wonder what would happen if everyone would seriously consider their personal response to each of these questions? Take a few minutes. Be precise. Write your answer to each question.
One day you're going to stand before Jesus and give account for your life. Maybe this exercise will help you get ready for your final exam.
1. What exactly do you do to help your wife/husband live with virtuous purpose?
2. What exactly do you do to establish an outpost of God’s Kingdom wherever you are?
3. What exactly do you do to add value to your family?
4. What exactly do you do to extend a hand up and not just a hand out?
5. What exactly do you do to make this local church better?
6. What exactly do you do to deserve a paycheck?
7. What exactly do you do to help this church make progress?
8. What exactly do you do to help the person next to you right now?
9. What exactly do you do to make Michiana a better community?
Colossians 4:17 - Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.
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Great service this weekend. Gave me a lot to think about. Plus a Queen classic, AND a Run DMC classic back to back?
Tasty to say the least.
Posted by: Corey | January 20, 2009 at 06:16 AM
It was certainly alot to think about. As I trudged into the cubefarm for yet another week of work, I tacked my Grangernotes up on the wall of my cubicle to give myself something to continue thinking about all week. Thank you!
Posted by: L. | January 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM