The household, or the family, as a cohesive and enterprising unit has been on my mind lately. This fits into the larger category of "dominion" and how the Christian should live and work in and on the Culture at large.
In a speech given at a conference on the topic, Doug Phillips stated that:
“Biblical entrepreneurship involves the moral obligation to be economically creative and productive. The principle of entrepreneurship is rooted in the dominion mandate and the biblical doctrines of work, stewardship, and fruitfulness. Biblical entrepreneurship incorporates principles of biblical patriarchy with its emphasis on multi-generational faithfulness, freedom in Christ, inheritance, jurisdiction, and the household as a vibrant, economically productive, God-ordained unit for cultural transformation. It is impossible to have a full-orbed vision of entrepreneurship without careful consideration for the scriptural doctrine of the family. Any approach to entrepreneurship which is divorced of these considerations inevitably leads to the idolatries of materialism, individualism, and the love of money.”
He continues with:
“Not all men will start independent businesses, but all Christians (both masters and servants, parents and children) should be entrepreneurially oriented as to their management, investment, and creative use of assets and resources. The Bible emphasizes that a sign of blessing on such men may include both physical and spiritual fruitfulness.”
The main take-away from all of this is one should be always concerned with his household's productivity - how they are using the resources given by God to further the Kingdom.
Psalm 128:1-4 - Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
Psalm 90:16-17 - Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Deuteronomy 8:18 - You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
