day 1143: The Long View Investor

"Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you"

I've been having lots of conversations over the past few weeks about the current state of venture and angel investing and how those companies that are good, profitable and viable, but because they will never grow to be $100MM in revenue or beyond, can't find investment money.  It's bothered me because it might well be that these small tech companies (profitable and with $5MM - $20MM in revenue) may well be the small businesses of tomorrow, like local hardware stores, restaurants, dry cleaners were the small businesses of yesterday.  I find this exciting as it means that every Main Street in America could have their own Silicon Alley.  But, we have to find a way to value and find investments for these smaller ventures that will never go public or get bought out by the larger company that is looking for big acquisitions. There has to be a model that values the long term, small and steady growth companies if we want to create lots of long-lasting jobs and support small private business owners.  If you are a venture investor, angel investor, or small business owner reading this, I'd be interested in your thoughts on how to solve the problem.

As believers, we can think of our own spiritual lives as individual, long-lasting, growth oriented spiritual ventures.  Our ministries are likely with those we work with daily as we work in the secular world.  We may wonder at times if our contributions to kingdom expansion are significant enough for God to care or take notice.  That is one thing we should never be concerned with, as God values us each individually and tells us that in Romans as we are to measure ourselves by our amount of faith.  God is the greatest of all people investors.  He accepts us where we are and values us way beyond what we are truly worth!  And, he takes an eternal view for us.  As we go into this day, let's think about how we can lift Him up through our example and giving glory to Him for what we have and what we do.  That is, after all, our purposed worKING!

Reference:  Romans 12:3 (New Living Translation)

day 780: Easy Street

People who are at ease mock those in trouble. they give a push to people who are stumbling.

Lots of talk in the world today about streets. There is the perennial political discussion about Main Street and what that street means to our economic system. There is also more attention than ever on Wall Street. The Occupy Movement has brought attention to the people and institutions that are associated with banking and public corporations, with an attempt to let off steam towards someone. It seems what everyone is desiring and detesting at the same time is those who live and work on Easy Street. Businesses work so hard to get to a place where they feel established and while they still have to remain competitive and growth-oriented to survive, they can find a place where every day is not about survival. Yet, when they get there the tendency can be be for them to start to portray some of the attributes of those who live on Easy Street and others don't like that attitude. Part of the finger pointing today is that there are companies and people who have adopted the Easy Street attitude for themselves and project a different set of standards on others. Businesses that start to brag about their success and who become predatory and demeaning to their competition, and above the law in their communities are easy targets. Easy Street brings out the worst in us and should remind us that success is not a privilege it is a gift.

When we succeed at something and receive accolades and recognition, we should remember that the perils of Easy Street apply to us personally as well. We read in Job that "ease" brings about an air of confidence that can turn to mocking of others. We see it daily in our society in nearly all competitive circles. When someone is on top they speak down and talk smack to those who are not doing so well. They can taunt and find satisfaction in watching others fail. We have to be careful of this; each one of us. It is in our sinful nature to fall into this pattern. God asks and wants us to rise above this pettiness and to be the opposite of the rest of the world. We are reminded over and over that their is no superiority in God's Kingdom and that those who are seeking to want to work and live on Easy Street and play our the role, will struggle to find their way home to the Father. Let's remember that in our work, as we put to test our talents and do the best we can, that there is a point where we cross the line to Easy Street and take on the wrong attributes. Watch and listen for God to remind us where we are and to be sure that we stay on the right side of the street.

Reference: Job 12:5 (New Living Testament)