Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
So I’ve wondered at times, “God, didn’t you know that when you called me to launch a commercial FM music station that it would require me to sell advertising, and I HATE TO SELL?? I’ve had people tell me, “you could sell anything” to which I’ve never quite agreed. If I’ve had success at selling, and by His Grace I have, it’s only because I believe in the product I happen to be selling. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t just sell any random product or service without believing that it was good for my potential customer/client.
If you happen to be in sales you may find yourself wondering at times, “Is God into selling?” Sure, you know He’s into pastoring, missionary work, being a doctor or nurse etc. etc. as a vocation, but what about the nitty gritty of sales. And, if you’re like me, it sure helps to know that He’s “into” what you happen to be doing as a profession.
Some years ago He showed me that He was “into” sales through the story of the widow found in 2 Kings 4. In her desperate situation of being left with a mountain of debt after the passing of her husband, she sought the Lord through the Prophet Elisha for answers. His instructions were clear, and after she followed them step by step she had a house full of pots that were filled to the top with oil. She then returned to Elisha and he said “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”
The words “go sell” jumped off the page at me as He gave me His answer. I knew what He was saying. Just “go sell.” And, I knew in my heart that if I followed His instruction that favor and blessing would follow and so my sales carrier continued.
What also amazed me about this story was the fact that God wasn’t just “into sales,” but He showed Himself to be the all time “Master Marketer.” He had built for this widow an automatic customer base as she networked. I can just see her now knocking on the door and saying, “Hey, here’s your pot back, but it’s full of oil.” “Would you like to buy it?” He put her in the “oil business” for sure. This oil was not a luxury, but a necessary commodity for every household that used it for cooking, lighting, and more.
Then He helped me even more by just showing me that all He wanted me to do was to go “Ask, Seek and Knock” and that He would open the door. And, He has been faithful to do that every single week!
I certainly understand that this post may not be perceived as being necessary for everyone, but there are principals here that can be applied to all. And, if like me, you’re into sales, just know today that He’s “into” it too!