One of the many benefits of living in this area for almost 40 years is that you get to know many of the people. As youth minister, pastor, businessman and now leading a ministry to business leaders I knew many of them as children, teens and now adults. I know who I trust for counsel and to do business with. When my car has issues I have my guy. When an appliance is on the fritz we have our guy. I’ve also learned, at times the hard way, who I don’t do business with. Solomon shows us what those we want to do business with look like. A pure heart, basically here he is telling us they are honest. Sure a pure heart certainly refers to free of fleshly lust. But, it is also telling us here that they, and most importantly we, need to be free from deceit, selfishness, and nefarious schemes. Who wants to do business with someone controlled by those issues? The people Solomon refers to also surround themselves with people of the same character and build companies or businesses that have the kind of reputation that positively impact lives and communities. Ultimately the leaders of the area learn of their character and gravitate toward them. Influence simply for influence or profits sake fits the description of the nefarious person rather then the Christlike person. But, influence for the Kingdoms sake is to be encouraged. Few understood that better then the king or the former child of the king. If you wanted to be in Solomon’s court and share his impact on the kingdom you were this kind of person. You understood the peoples needs. That need in our day is for Jesus and we are called to be that kind of leader. Today check your heart and align yourself with the kingdom you represent. #BeTheEdge
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
