THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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When a man of "experience" partners with a man with "money," usually the man with the experience ends up with the money, and the man with the money ends up with experience!
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Gen 30:29-32
29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?
31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:
32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
KJV
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Jacob had worked for Laban 14 years now, and God has given him 11 sons and a daughter. But Laban wanted Jacob to continue working for him because Jacob had been a good shepherd and Laban's flocks had flourished.
Jacob outlined a labor agreement for seven more years. This time the wages would not be wives, but sheep. Jacob was kind, and agreed to take only the "uglies" of the
flock for his wages.
Jacob used a plan to increase his own sheep, but didn't use a plan to increase Laban's. Jacob used colored stakes to cause the weaker animals to breed while looking upon color. Now I don't know much about sheep, or about breeding animals. But I know that God blessed this instance. Jacob simply practiced "Strong Breeding" among his flock, but didn't with Laban's. Is this some of the "old man" creeping back into the "born-again" believer? Is Jacob using his old "trickery" again?
NO! Not really. Notice how Jacob used his knowledge as a shepherd. He paid particular attention to his own flock. That doesn't mean that he didn't properly care for Laban's flock.
Laban's focus was upon material things and self-importance. Jacob's focus was upon honest plying of his trade, and the best use of the knowledge God had given him. Isaiah 28:26 says, "...God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." And that verse, in context, is speaking of utilizing the knowledge and ability God gives us. You will also note that in Gen. 31:12, Jacob revealed that his insight into this situation came from God.
God was IN this plan. If God had not helped Jacob to develop this plan, he would've been reduced to nothing. For the Bible tells us in the next chapter that during this 3rd seven years Laban changed Jacob's wages TEN times!! (Gen. 31:7)
Friends, we need to look for what GOD would tell us to do in our employment. NEVER be dishonest. Just look for God's leadership and Divine protection.
Love ya,
Bruce