A True Businessman
When you picture a businessman, what comes to mind?
Perhaps you imagine an individual dressed in a suit and tie, holding a briefcase or talking on the phone as they pass by. Maybe you envision somebody who appears confident and ambitious, willing to do whatever it takes to grow their influence or reap a profit.
Many of our mental associations with the idea of a business person come from portrayals we’ve seen on TV or in movies. It’s also possible that our understanding of businessmen (and women) comes from our own firsthand experience, whether it was positive or negative. However, when we explore the origins of this word, we recognize the gap between our present-day understanding and the intended purpose of business in the world – as well as the people who work in this environment.
In the ancient Hebrew language (which is the language most of the Old Testament was written in originally), the English word “businessman” most closely correlates with the word “ohmein.” When translated literally, the word “ohmein” means “man of faith.” It’s directly related to the word “amen,” which translates to “truth” or “certainty” and is still used often in our conversations today.
Not only is this incredibly interesting, but it’s relevant for us as we continue in our current series on Faith in Action. If you’re just tuning in, I encourage you to go back and read our original Faith in Action post as well as last week’s entry on Motion in Action. This entire series is driven by James’ teaching in Chapter Two of his epistle: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” (James 2:17, NLT)
James’ words have implications in our lives, both inside and outside of business. When we approach our work with our faith as our priority, we are unwilling to make decisions that compromise on our values. Namely, we are unwilling to pursue success in our businesses if it means that we must treat others unfairly or achieve gain dishonestly or immorally. We are committed to doing things the right way – God’s way. We trust God to provide us with every good and beautiful thing, as James himself reminds us one chapter before the verse we read previously: “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.” (James 1:17, NLT)
To put this idea into practice, we must commit to living a life that honors God in all facets. God’s will for us is not to live compartmentalized lives, where we only maintain a righteous appearance in specific contexts or around certain people. God’s desire for us is to live fully committed lives, where we are transformed into His image and willing to do whatever it takes to pursue righteousness and holiness wherever God leads us.
This lifestyle doesn’t only encompass what it means to be a Christian, it also encompasses the original definition of “businessman.” How can we live today in a way that challenges the preconceived notion of what it means to be a businessman, and instead pursue the “ohmein” approach? Discerning an answer to this question is my challenge to you for the upcoming week.