The Four Legged Stool
by Holbert Marie
SFI has a ‘business startup’ philosophy that has been developed over the years– we started in 1996. This article has been written and rewritten over those years. I have kept those elements that I know are from the Lord and effective. And I have added and removed things as well. The whole venue of Kings and Priest partnering is a kind of new wine skin and I found us not having mentors or ‘fathers’ to learn from, We were the first in many ways. So this article contains those fundamentals that I know work and things that I know don’t work, I will freely, if sadly, admit that I have learned a lot more about what not to do than what to do. Still that is very useful information. Sometimes you can succeed through process of elimination as Edison did with the light bulb. In any case here is, in a nutshell, what I learned over some 25+ years of doing this “Business as Ministry” stuff (pre SFI)! (‘HM’)
There are four basic principles that we (the specific SFI team) seek to establish and pray through before we commit to any project. We call it ‘The Four Legged Stool.” For a stool to be safe and trustworthy enough to sit on, all four legs must be established and sound, if one leg is bad the stool falls! Here are the four legs:
1. Developing a vision or plan — ‘God idea’. The first and foundational leg is that we must have an idea, vision or revelation that must be what is called a ‘God idea’, as opposed to a “Good” idea. The number of ‘good’ ideas is numerous. “Good” ideas can come from the tree of KNOWLEDGE of GOOD and evil – (Gen 2:9 – 2:16,17). A ‘God’ idea is a divinely inspired one. It comes through revelation after prayer and seeking the Lord and having Godly and competent men that “fear the Lord talking to one another” – (Mal 3:16). It is Wisdom that comes from above – (James 3:17 – vs ‘Knowledge’ that comes from human understanding – (Prov 3:5,6). A ‘God’ idea is a ‘good’ idea minus an ‘o’. That extra ‘o’ is the addition of man’s ‘wisdom, thinking and understanding – (Prov 14:12, 16:25) – where the evil one can come in and deceive, this is our domain and therefore faulty. God’s ways and thoughts are from the Spirit and are therefore different than ours – (Is 55:8)! We find that discerning between Good ideas and God ideas is one of the most challenging endeavors when looking to do a startup and it is critically important. We often find that it normally takes more then one to discern it properly. Which makes sense because God is not one who really wants to establish us a bunch of independent “I’s”. God is a family and He (they) are into family and team. He sent the disciples out in pairs and said where “two or three are gathered or ask in my name” – (Luke 10:1, Matt 18:20) – and even then they were part of a larger team (the Kingdom of God). The real “Lord’s prayer” is that we would be one in unity and purpose – (John 17:20-23). God himself is three in One! – (Mark 12:29, 1 John 5:7).
Sometimes, ‘God’ ideas don’t seem to make sense to the natural man. In fact 1 Cor. 2:13-16 says ‘the mind of the Spirit is foolishness to the natural mind.’ When we believe we have a God idea, we then endeavor to ‘write the vision and make it plain’ – (Hab 2:2). This is our dialogue and due diligence stage. This is where we flesh out the idea, seek the input of other NAs (Network Associates) that fit the project. We check our data base or inventory list to see what personnel and resources we have in the network, and what we need to develop the idea into a practical implementable business plan. When all the fundamentals are in place and the concerns and questions raised are adequately answered and written down, a basic MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is written and agreed upon by the principles so that everyone is clear about what we are doing and who is to do what. There are no ambiguities! Only then is the next leg attached. This first leg is the foundation laying stage, it is normally difficult and extensive.
2.“Counting the cost” (Luke 14:28-33), or capital investment needed, is our second leg. It is here that the basic numbers and projected cost and return on investment and “exit” strategies (if there is one) are laid out. These, along with the developed “God idea” business plan (or ‘vision plan’ if a ministry) is presented to other NAs (Network Associates) and potential investors. SFI plans – whether business or ministry start ups – will always, with rare exceptions, have a dual purpose of being both ‘S.A.L.T.’ and Light – (Matt 5:13-16). Throughout SFI’s history, the plans have ranged from large scale manufacturing plants down to small ‘mom & pop’ projects. Once the capital is acquired or committed we now begin to move to lay the actual foundations for the project in the country where the project is to be started. We almost always seek to partner with an existing and experienced local ‘apostle’ or entrepreneur – “man of peace” – that we (or a key NA for the project) knows well.
3. The ‘Key Personnel’ leg (Luke 6:12-16), or just simply, the ‘Human’ or ‘weak’ leg. We also call it the, “Bezalel” leg. Bezalel is the first person in scripture specifically filled with the Holy Spirit – (Ex 31:1-11) – and he was filled with wisdom and revelation for a specific task, to implement the ‘God idea’ and plans that God had given Moses in Ex 25-30, building the tabernacle. We have learned, this leg is absolutely critical to the success and failure of the project and is the one that takes the greatest amount of wisdom and discernment to establish. It is also where the enemy attacks the most often. Jesus specifically warns us that – (Matt 5:37) – we should let ‘our yes be yes and your no should be no’ and that anything else is ‘from the evil one’. James, in his admonition to the rich, makes it even stronger when he says: James 5:12 — But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. The basic idea being that when you give your word, you should do it and not waffle around and change your mind. Blessed is the man who keeps his promise, even to his own hurt – (Ps 15:4)! One should fear the Lord, remembering that two of three of the people who we see God struck dead in the New Testament were Ananias and Saphira who lied to the Holy Spirit seeking to deceive Peter and the church. They were killed simply because the amount of money they actually gave was not the same as what was committed!! Selah – (Selah means to stop and consider or think about it.)
We have learned the hard way that you can have a great and innovative God idea, have all the capital committed to begin to implement it, but then have the investor(s) waffle and pull out! We have also sometimes failed to properly discern and place the key personnel that are to implement critical aspects of the plan and when they fail to perform or pull out after we launch, it can kill a God ordained endeavor and badly damage those who have invested resources, effort and commitment into the project! Every failure in SFI business or ministerial start up, except one, has occurred due to the failure of this particular leg of the stool. SFI normally will not even evaluate an opportunity or a company startup, ministry investment or partnership unless we have one of two things, and preferably both. 1.) an established and strong relationship with an ‘apostolic/entrepreneurial ‘ man of peace’ in the city/country/field we are looking to work in. 2.) Specific and confirmed revelation from the Lord – (by two or more independent witnesses) – that we should move forward with this person and/or project regardless of our relational foundation. However, when we begin to implement the starting of S.A.L.T projects, there needs to be other key personnel besides the lead apostle/entrepreneur. More often than not, the lead apostle (priest/pastor) does not have the time, acumen or passion to focus on these physical projects. We are not seeking to convert Priest into Kings!
So we have learned that we need a local ‘King’ or entrepreneur on our team who has the calling, skill, integrity and passion to make this his chief focus. If we cannot find this key personnel locally, we must either bring one in or walk away from the country! When we are confident that we have God’s personnel to fit EACH position, and His go ahead, only then will we begin look to bring ‘capital’ investment to bear to establish the business or ministry (there obviously must be time and ‘sweat’ and even modest capital investment brought to bear to even get to this point) . We have found that proper due diligence in this particular leg is critically essential to the success of the project. Simply put, we will not move forward until we are comfortable and at peace with both the Godly character and professional competency of each key team member of that particular project (However, we would do well to remember that Jesus choose Judas to be part of His team and gave him charge of the money!– Selah. Followers of the Lord have been stolen from and persecuted since Abel! In fact it is promised– 2 Tim 3:12 and we called to endure it and not shrink back.) We will do all we can to know them well, and will be absolutely sure as we can be of their commitment to its success and completion. As any seasoned decision maker in business knows, just because someone makes a claim about themselves, doesn’t mean that is the truth as Prov 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?”
4. The efficacy and integrity of the local and national Governments of where we are looking to launch the project is the fourth leg. This final leg was added after the one ‘non-personnel’ related failure we had. In fact we could list this as the first leg, because we will be asking these questions from the beginning. As mentioned later we are going to follow the laws of the land and respect the authorities. However, we do not pay bribes – (Our definition of a bribe is, two fold: 1.) when an official or worker either directly or indirectly request a personal payment for ‘favors’ or services that should be a normal part of their service or responsibility or 2.) When someone offers an official or worker payment to do something that is either not part of their normal responsibilities or actually may violate their normal responsibilities. Anything that would not be done in the light is more than likely of the evil one!) – Scripture is clear on this – (Pr 29:4, Pr 15:27, 2 Chron 19:7) – and we have found that there are times that we simply cannot get the necessary clearances and official approvals necessary from the local government to begin or run the business or project, even if it is in the nation’s and its citizens best interest to issue them! In fact this is the number one reason why many nations, even with extensive resources and educated managers to handle things, are in an impoverished condition, everyone is seeking for themselves!
Therefore, with few exceptions, we seek out and pray for, competent and trustworthy indigenous legal and accounting professionals to cover all those bases and make sure our ducks are in a row. We would prefer these professionals to either come from, or be referred by, the local church or ministry that we are partnering with. However, there are times a “Kingdom business” opportunity opens up first where there is no local church or ‘priest’. In this case we must search for, vet and find them or raise them up. Sometimes they may not be a ‘priest’ at all, they might be a ‘King’ like Zerubbabel or Daniel or a Joseph!
Ultimately we have learned, the hard way, to be slow and ‘not despise the beginning of small things’. We seek to dig deep – (Luke 6:47) – and remain prayerful, seeking His wisdom through out the entire process. We are not led by the ‘urgency or opportunity of the moment’ any more. We wait on the Lord knowing that unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain – (Psalm 127:10)! However once it is decided that it’s a go we move move forward and we seek to patiently persevere and see our commitment through to the end, wither it ‘succeeds’ or ‘fails’ — (Nothing done in obedience to the Lord is ever a failure and nothing done that ‘succeeds’ outside of the Lord’s mandate is ever truly successful.) We have a broken idea of success in the Western world that loves Mammon and measures ‘success’ through the eyes of the flesh! (Read article: Was Jesus Successful.)
If a project ‘fails’, and yes most do, it is our hope that it will not be because someone on the SFI team did not keep their word or fail to perform on their agreed upon part. However, obviously, many things can happen out of our control. Remember that SFI is a network, it is not a one man show, not at all! Network Associates – (NA) – are independent and are not contractually attached to SFI in anyway. They are volunteers and SFI is often the bridge builder or facilitator, as our Motto says: Building a Net That Works since 1996. We simply ask as stated before, that our NA’s ‘let there yes be yes and their no be no’ – (Matt 5:37, James 5:12). We also let them know up front, that if their main goal is to make big money or a big salary, this project is not for them! Though we definitely wish endeavors to be profitable and would love to see all have significant personal financial gains, this can never be the primary agenda! There has been a lot of judgement in this arena and ‘the fear of the Lord‘ should be a standard as the “love of money is a root of all sorts of evil” – (1 Tim 6:10). Ultimately, they, and yes all of us, will answer to the Lord as Solomon — (who did not finish his race well even with all his lavish wealth and many lovers) — states with his final words of wisdom — Eccl 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil. NKJV
Simply put we cannot – (and nor does the Lord) – stop an NA or Investor from changing their mind, or growing weary, “pulling their hand off the plow” – (Luke 9:62). I can assure you, as we are seeking to reach the unreached and oppressed poor – (Luke 14:23) – Satan and his minions will do all they can to make one give up or pull out, we are a real threat to him. For the Lord has clearly stated when the last tribe and tongue and village has had the gospel preached to them, HE RETURNS – (Matt 24:14).
It has been clearly stated to every person in the endeavor before we fully engage that they should carefully; COUNT THE COST. The Lord tells us to do this in Luke 14:27, and I am well aware there will be more who pull out then stay in and Jesus confirms this Himself – (Matt 7:14, Matt 20:16). Besides this, a law can change, or a war could break out, (or a weak man made demonically inspired ‘virus’ could hit causing the world to fall into fear!), a key investor or a key personnel (NA) could die or have personal issues and be forced to pull out, etc.
We have also found there were times the priest or apostle begin to ask for and solicit funds and donations directly from SFI NAs and, more often than not, in secret, this we consider a breach of trust and will lead to immediate termination! Our experience has told us that anytime this has happened the project has failed and the Lord removes His favor, FROM BOTH! (We are very clear about this. If SFI agrees to partner with you to support your ministry. You agree that you will never solicit funds from any individual SFI NA that is involved in the project.)
We further ask if any SFI NA wishes to give personally to any of the ministries that we are seeking to help, We ask that they do it anonymously and through SFI so it is in secret as Jesus commanded when alms were given to the poor – (Matt 6:2-4)! This is a requirement! This is for their protection as well as the protection of the apostle/priest we are seeking to serve and support. (Money, and the position and praise of men it can purchase, is a root of all kinds of evil, many fall there.) When all is said and done SFI is dependent on its NAs and on the apostle/entrepreneur, to know their place and to keep their word including the ‘priest’ — to let their ‘yes be yes’ and their ‘no be no’ and once putting their hand to the plow keeping it there and persevering to the end no matter if it ‘succeeds’ or fails.
Ultimately all the silver and gold, our very life and breath, is His and He is very clear that anyone who has been given stewardship to a measure of His treasury will be held to account – (Matt 25:14-30) – as well as His priest! IT IS HIS FLOCK, HE is the head of His Church (Ez 34 and Matt 23, Eph 4:10-18) As Jesus said to His apostles in Luke 17:5-10
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'” NKJV