Fishers of Men
Dear Friends,
These verses in Matthew 4 are particularly inspiring to professional advisors who are integrating their faith and their work because I believe they offer a crystal clear message on how advisors can view their life’s work as the perfect setting in which to fulfill their life’s calling.
Jesus’ first four disciples were hard working fishermen seeking to nourish their families and earn an honest living. They were not spectacularly successful, nor were they looked to by their peers or their community for spiritual or life guidance. They were “common men” whom God had placed in Jesus’ path and had readied to listen to His message of how to find purpose and passion for their lives by doing more than feeding stomachs… they were called to nourish souls, too. With open eyes, ears and hearts they heard God calling them, telling them how they could use their earthly skills as fishermen for eternal impact… casting their nets to bring men and women under God’s word.
Professional advisors have a similar opportunity because our clients turn to us for not only financial advice but also life counsel. Advisors who practice with a secular worldview may well be adept at addressing the financial advice part of the equation… but how well do you think they can handle the requests for life counsel? That’s a distinct advantage that a Kingdom Advisor brings to his or her clients.
Like Peter, Andrew, James and John, we have heard God’s call and are actively taking steps to marry our vocation with our calling. It’s such a blessing because we not only find true meaning in our own lives, but also help others discover their purpose by preparing them to open their eyes, ears and hearts for God’s call on their lives. Lives are transformed every day, and often it begins with an advisor who wholeheartedly and with purpose has responded to God’s call.
As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” God has given Christian advisors, modern day “fishers of men,” the setting and the opportunity to teach others how to “fish for themselves.” Clients will not only experience the blessings promised in His word, but also may live out their interpretation of how they can become “fishers of men,” too.
How did you know that God had called you to join Him as a “fisher of men” and how have you used your practice as the shoreline from which to cast a wide net? Share your story and inspire others.
Blessings,
Ron
As always, Ron is right on target.
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The concept of being "called" is so important. We must do as Jesus did in looking for those that are "called". Then disciple them in their calling, not ours.
Thanks for this wonderful message from Matthew 4.
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You need to complete the thought by including that even these "fishermen" needed God's assistance when they tried to fish with their own skills & so we need to constantly return to KA & GOD when we begin to do our financial advising in our own patterns.
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