Windows of Opportunity

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE

How would you like to have endless business opportunities?  
How would you like to have so many opportunities that you had to turn some of them down?

Windows of Opportunity

A story is found in Luke 5:1-11 where, after obeying the instructions of Jesus, a fisherman named Simon caught so much fish that his net could not handle it and he had to call for help.  What was the key to his sudden productivity? He allowed the Rabbi to use his boat to carry out His ministry, and then he followed the instructions that the Rabbi had given him.

Most people view the opportunity as something that you have to expend large amounts of energy to chase after. In the Kingdom of God, we view opportunity as something that God orchestrates in His own timing. However, we must be prepared for it.

Opportunity is recognizing when God’s timing meets our preparation. You are responsible for preparing yourself so that you are ready for the opportunity when it arises; while God is responsible for creating and orchestrating it.  Without opportunities in the marketplace to meet market needs, a business cannot be profitable. Without the proper preparation, opportunities cannot be taken, and there will also be a lack of opportunity recognition. Opportunity recognition is paramount to business success. 

Although God is the orchestrator of opportunities, our obedience to His word and will, or lack thereof, will impact the number of opportunities that become available to us. For example, God instructed the Israelites to “bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and I will open for them the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing that they will not have enough room to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)

When these instructions were given to the children of Israel, their main business was agriculture, and they were very dependent on farming for survival. In essence, God was saying to them that if they would trust Him by bringing a tenth of their harvest – their livelihood – into the storehouse as a tithe to Him – then He would open the windows of heaven for them and not only protect their production but bless (increase) it. There would be such production that they would not have enough barns to preserve them. 

What does this mean within the context of Kingdom enterprise? Opening the windows of heaven is symbolic of God creating the blessing of increased market opportunities, as a result of our obedience to His word and will. Imagine having more market opportunities than you are able to handle. Imagine having such demand for your product and services that you would not be able to meet that demand quickly enough. If you are committed to providing for the needs of the work of the Lord through the principle of the tithe, God will ensure that there is never a lack of resources.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
– Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly
or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able
to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency
in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
– 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV)

If we are prioritizing God and His Kingdom in our lives, then giving will open the windows of heaven for us, leading to greater market opportunities and greater business productivity. 

How are market opportunities connected to our giving (bringing our tithes into the storehouse)?

• It is a sign that you recognize God’s ownership of your business, that you are the steward of His business, and that you recognize God’s  sovereignty over your life;

• It demonstrates that you are not attached to money – you understand that you are the steward of God’s finances;

• It shows that you understand the purpose of profit which, among other things, must be used to advance the kingdom of God.

Giving will not only open windows of opportunity for your business but God will also “rebuke the devourer”. Devourers are things that eat up your production or keep opportunities from fully materializing. It could be high interest rates, bad weather, market instability, or employee theft. Giving protects what you have from being destroyed, as well as enabling God to protect your production and market opportunities from being materialized prematurely or before you are prepared to take advantage of them.

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts. – Malachi 3:11 (NKJV)

All of this is because God wants to fund His work. He wants to supply His Church with ample resources.  However, in order to do so, He needs productive and profitable Kingdom businesses that understand the purpose for which God has called them into business.

How is your business doing? Are you experiencing the kind of growth you desire? Commit to tithing from your personal income and from your business profits, and then give generously as the Lord blesses you. Not only will windows of opportunity open for you, but your production and market opportunities will be protected from destruction and premature conclusion.

My prayer for you today is that as you invest your time, talent, and treasure into the advancement of the Kingdom of God and that He will open the windows of Heaven and you will reap a harvest of financial blessings and ever-increasing opportunities.