BUSINESS STRATAGES

The strategy defines the long term goals of the business. Strategic management provides overall direction to the enterprise. It is the identification of the purpose of the organization and the plans and tactics required to achieve the defined strategy.
According to Wikipedia, Strategic management defines the major initiatives taken by a company’s top management on behalf of owners, involving resources and performance in internal and external environments. It includes specifying the mission, vision and objectives and developing policies and plans designed to achieve these objectives, and allocating resources to implement the policies and plans, projects and programs.
Strategic management is an ongoing process that evaluates and controls the business in which the company is involved.
It used to be the case that businesses had a one year plan, including a budget, a five year plan and a ten year plan .These defined the medium and long term goals of the company and were the strategic plan.
In today’s fast developing world, a five and ten year plan may be unrealistic – who knows what changes technological developments will have wreaked in five or ten years? So this timescale is often “telescoped “into a shorter, more appropriate, time frame to enable the strategy to be reviewed frequently.
Strategy should be reassessed regularly, perhaps annually or quarterly, to review how it has been implemented, whether it is successful or needs to be replaced by an updated strategy to meet changed economic factors, new technology, new competitors, or a new social, financial, or political environment.
Without a clear strategic vision it is extremely difficult to effectively manage, change or develop a The strategy defines the long term goals of the business. Strategic management provides overall direction to the enterprise. It is the identification of the purpose of the organization and the plans and tactics required to achieve the defined strategy.
According to Wikipedia, Strategic management defines the major initiatives taken by a company’s top management on behalf of owners, involving resources and performance in internal and external environments. It includes specifying the mission, vision and objectives and developing policies and plans designed to achieve these objectives, and allocating resources to implement the policies and plans, projects and programs.
Strategic management is an ongoing process that evaluates and controls the business in which the company is involved.
It used to be the case that businesses had a one year plan, including a budget, a five year plan and a ten year plan .These defined the medium and long term goals of the company and were the strategic plan.
In today’s fast developing world, a five and ten year plan may be unrealistic – who knows what changes technological developments will have wreaked in five or ten years? So this timescale is often “telescoped “into a shorter, more appropriate, time frame to enable the strategy to be reviewed frequently.
Strategy should be reassessed regularly, perhaps annually or quarterly, to review how it has been implemented, whether it is successful or needs to be replaced by an updated strategy to meet changed economic factors, new technology, new competitors, or a new social, financial, or political environment.
Without a clear strategic vision it is extremely difficult to effectively manage, change or develop a business. Any decisions made by the management team will be entirely arbitrary without a clear Strategy, with no way to align decisions with the strategy. Decisions may be made that take the company in the wrong direction in the short term.
Well run businesses establish and review Strategy on a regular basis to ensure it fits with all external and internal factors.
Employee motivation is linked to the ability of the management team to create a Strategy and communicate it throughout the organization frequently.
Management should ensure that the current Strategy or strategic direction is embodied into the culture of their businesses and clearly understood by their employees, who are then engaged in the business and more understanding and supportive of the tactical decisions or steps taken by the management team to deliver the Strategy.
Many industrial relations disputes result from a lack of openness by the management team and lack of understanding of the motives of the managers. Communication of the Strategy and tactical plans to deliver the Strategy are critical. It is important to simplify the Strategy so that it can be clearly communicated and understood at all levels, from the boardroom to the most junior staff.
In reality Strategy is most often reviewed when a business is undergoing a change in the circumstances around it, such as a merger or acquisition or investing in new plant or machinery.
If your company is starting out, developing your business strategy will be part of the business planning exercise, and there will be uncertainty about the future prospects of the business.
Be realistic about sales targets and forecasts, and build in contingencies where cash-flow is concerned.
Success in business has much to do with having a vision, strong focus, and having some idea of the direction you need to take to realize the goals and vision.
Many companies compose short concise mission statements that claim to be their “vision, mission and values”. Sometimes these are so clichéd that they are ineffective, and so ambiguous that it is impossible to measure if the business is achieving their goals.
Having a strong vision is one thing, but to achieve growth and success, you need a team who share your passion and your dream. Successful leaders are the ones who can communicate their vision and mission to their followers, colleagues who will then support them to achieve the goals.
Turning a dream into reality needs a strategy, and a plan to drive the business forward. It will incorporate the approach you are going to take for every aspect of your business and define which products and services you are going to offer and how you are going to deliver them.
Most businesses will need a Business Strategy, and, if your company is large enough, this will flow into individual strategies for each of the business functions. The most common of these is a Marketing Strategy.
This will consider corporate identity and branding, products and markets, customer profile, pricing policy, online presence and marketing strategy, social media strategy, marketing campaigns
The business strategy needs to address the key issues of the business;-
Are we positioned to benefit from new technologies?
When a company is established there is usually a clear vision of its objectives, but as time goes by this evolves. The company may still have the same ambitions, but the vision may have changed as it evolves and grows and technology changes around the business. The plan should consider both the present and the future – what would success look like this time next year?
This is probably the most important role of the executive today. To stand still, even for an instant, is to be left behind as all around you move forward at speed to exploit new and developing technologies.
Corporate Social Responsibility
A business needs to be profitable to invest in growth and innovation, but companies should have a corporate social responsibility theme in their strategy. What does the business really care about? What principles are important to its owners and management?
What can we contribute to the world?
Presumably customers want our products or services. Market research needs to be undertaken regularly to check what consumers really value, how much are they prepared to pay for it, and what they would prefer to experience. Can the company do it better, greener, cleaner, more ethically?
Are we compromising?
Does the company’s vision clash with achieving other goals, such as achieving profit, or ensuring employment .Perhaps short term sacrifices need to be made to achieve the long-term vision.
Are we all in this together?
Is everyone on your team on board with the same belief in the vision? Are they committed, do they understand what they have to contribute? It’s important to listen to everyone to ensure the business stays on track . Any decisions made by the management team will be entirely arbitrary without a clear Strategy, with no way to align decisions with the strategy. Decisions may be made that take the company in the wrong direction in the short term.
Well run businesses establish and review Strategy on a regular basis to ensure it fits with all external and internal factors.
Employee motivation is linked to the ability of the management team to create a Strategy and communicate it throughout the organization frequently.
Management should ensure that the current Strategy or strategic direction is embodied into the culture of their businesses and clearly understood by their employees, who are then engaged in the business and more understanding and supportive of the tactical decisions or steps taken by the management team to deliver the Strategy.
Many industrial relations disputes result from a lack of openness by the management team and lack of understanding of the motives of the managers. Communication of the Strategy and tactical plans to deliver the Strategy are critical. It is important to simplify the Strategy so that it can be clearly communicated and understood at all levels, from the boardroom to the most junior staff.
In reality Strategy is most often reviewed when a business is undergoing a change in the circumstances around it, such as a merger or acquisition or investing in new plant or machinery.
If your company is starting out, developing your business strategy will be part of the business planning exercise, and there will be uncertainty about the future prospects of the business.
Be realistic about sales targets and forecasts, and build in contingencies where cash-flow is concerned.
Success in business has much to do with having a vision, strong focus, and having some idea of the direction you need to take to realize the goals and vision.
Many companies compose short concise mission statements that claim to be their “vision, mission and values”. Sometimes these are so clichéd that they are ineffective, and so ambiguous that it is impossible to measure if the business is achieving their goals.
Having a strong vision is one thing, but to achieve growth and success, you need a team who share your passion and your dream. Successful leaders are the ones who can communicate their vision and mission to their followers, colleagues who will then support them to achieve the goals.
Turning a dream into reality needs a strategy, and a plan to drive the business forward. It will incorporate the approach you are going to take for every aspect of your business and define which products and services you are going to offer and how you are going to deliver them.
Most businesses will need a Business Strategy, and, if your company is large enough, this will flow into individual strategies for each of the business functions. The most common of these is a Marketing Strategy.
This will consider corporate identity and branding, products and markets, customer profile, pricing policy, online presence and marketing strategy, social media strategy, marketing campaigns
The business strategy needs to address the key issues of the business;-
Are we positioned to benefit from new technologies?
When a company is established there is usually a clear vision of its objectives, but as time goes by this evolves. The company may still have the same ambitions, but the vision may have changed as it evolves and grows and technology changes around the business. The plan should consider both the present and the future – what would success look like this time next year?
This is probably the most important role of the executive today. To stand still, even for an instant, is to be left behind as all around you move forward at speed to exploit new and developing technologies.
Corporate Social Responsibility
A business needs to be profitable to invest in growth and innovation, but companies should have a corporate social responsibility theme in their strategy. What does the business really care about? What principles are important to its owners and management?
What can we contribute to the world?
Presumably customers want our products or services. Market research needs to be undertaken regularly to check what consumers really value, how much are they prepared to pay for it, and what they would prefer to experience. Can the company do it better, greener, cleaner, more ethically?
Are we compromising?
Does the company’s vision clash with achieving other goals, such as achieving profit, or ensuring employment .Perhaps short term sacrifices need to be made to achieve the long-term vision.
Are we all in this together?
Is everyone on your team on board with the same belief in the vision? Are they committed, do they understand what they have to contribute? It’s important to listen to everyone to ensure the business stays on track

wiked ruler

hhhGood News Translation Deuteronomy 16:18-19 The Administration of Justice “Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the Lord your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially. They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.

                             1kg 21:17-19
7 Then the LORD said to Elijah, the prophet from Tishbe, 18 “Go to King Ahab of Samaria. You will find him in Naboth's vineyard, about to take possession of it. 19 Tell him that I, the LORD, say to him, ‘After murdering the man, are you taking over his property as well?’ Tell him that this is what I say: ‘In the very place that the dogs licked up Naboth's blood they will lick up your blood!’”

                             pro.19:16
Keep God's laws and you will live longer; if you ignore them, you will die.
           
                              is 10:1-4

0 You are doomed! You make unjust laws that oppress my people. 2 That is how you keep the poor from having their rights and from getting justice. That is how you take the property that belongs to widows and orphans. 3 What will you do when God punishes you? What will you do when he brings disaster on you from a distant country? Where will you run to find help? Where will you hide your wealth? 4 You will be killed in battle or dragged off as prisoners. Yet even so the LORD's anger will not be ended; his hand will still be stretched out to punish.

LIVE THE BEST YOU CAN IN ANY AREA

LIVE IN YOUR BEST
Commit yourself to growth (Be Growth-oriented). The more you grow, the better you become. I committed myself to a lifetime of growth back in 2006 (when I discovered my purpose), and I’ve never looked back ever since.

Work on your negative traits. Are there any traits you dislike about yourself? Some traits which I didn’t like about myself in the past include being self-centered, arrogance, selfishness, critical, harshness, hardness, etc. Identify them, then work on them one at a go. It can be challenging to try to overhaul your character at one go. On the other hand, if you work on addressing 1 negative trait at a time, it’s a lot more manageable and achievable.
Identify your ideal persona. What’s your ideal self like? Picture him/her in your mind, then write down all the traits of your ideal persona. Then, start living true to your ideal self.
Find a role model. Having a role model gives us a concrete image of who we want to become. I see role models in people like Ellen Degeneres (for her genuineness and compassion toward others), Tyra Banks (for not being afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and inspiring women to do the same), Ivanka Trump (for her beauty, intellect and grace – representing the modern day woman), Oprah (for being a power mover in the world of self-help), among others. Who is/are your role model(s), and what do you like about them?
Be a role model. The best way to be a better person is to be a role model to others. How can you be an inspirational guide to others? Live by example. In being a role model, remember it’s not about making yourself into someone you’re not (see #57 on Be Individualistic). It’s about living true to your ideal self (see #3).
Be a better child to your parents. You only have 2 parents in your life, so appreciate the time you have with them. If your relationship with your parents is non-ideal, it doesn’t mean that everything ends here. I used to have a very poor relationship with my parents, until I achieved resolution recently. Read: How I Found Peace in My Relationship with My Parents

Be a better friend to your friends. I used to be disappointed at how some of my friends aren’t always there for me when I need them, then I realized that I should think about how I can be a better friend to my friends first before making such expectations of others. Likewise for you, think: How can you be a better friend to your friends? Read: How To Have More Best Friends in Life
Be a better sibling, if you have siblings. I’ve several friends who are the only-child, and they frequently talk about how they wish they had a brother or sister. If you’re lucky enough to have brother(s) and sister(s), treasure them. Spend more time with them; Show them care and concern; Look out for them if you need to.
Be a better partner, if you’re attached. If you’ve a girlfriend/wife or boyfriend/husband, think about how you can be a better partner to him/her. When you’re in a relationship, it’s easy to make demands and expectations about what your partner should do/be, but it’s difficult to take ownership for the things we aren’t doing/being ourselves. Commit yourself to being a better partner, and release your expectations of your partner. Both of you will be happier that way.

Be a better parent, if you have children. Many parents have told me that having a child one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to them. If you have a child(ren), think about how you can be a better parent, without impeding on the child’s growth. Raising a child can be challenging especially as he/she enters adolescence years, but that’s also part of the joy of being a parent.
Be a better employee in your company (if you work for someone). Often times, I hear people complain about how their companies are not giving them enough benefits/wages/support/etc. While this may be true, think about how you can be a better employee instead. Check if there’s anything more you can do for your manager. See if there are any new

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE IN THE BIBLE

CATHOLIC DOCTRINES ARE IN THE BIBLE
Catholics are always intimidated into believing
that we do things contrary to the Bible just
because we are ignorants of what we do, the
following will help you locate WHERE what we
do in the Bible
1) PRAYING FOR THE DEAD
2 Mac. 12:38-45
Wisdom 3:1
Tobit 4:17
2) USE OF IMAGES AND SACRAMENTS
(these reminds us of what they stand for)
2 kings 3:20-21
Num. 21:8-9
Ex 25:17-22
Col 1:20, 2:14
John 12:32
Acts 19:11-12
3) AUTHENTICITY OF CATHOLIC TRADITION
AS A SOURCE OF REVEALED TRUTH
2 Thes 2:15
2 cor 10:10-11
John 21:25
2 John 1:12
3 John 1:13
4) THE SHIFT OF SUNDAY INSTEAD OF
SATURDAY ( SABBATH)
Rev 1:10
Acts 20:7
1 cor 16:1-2
John 20:1-22
5) THE POPE'S AUTHORITY AS THE
SUCCESSOR OF ST. PETER
John 21:15-17
Matt 16: 18-19
Acts 2:1-14
6) THE REFERENCE OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS AS
'FATHER' WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE FATHER
IN HEAVEN
Gen 17:4
Jer 7:7
Num 12:14
Jn. 6:49
Mtt. 23:30
Lk. 1:73
7) IS THE BIBLE IN SUPPORT OF THE
HIERARCHY IN THE CHURCH? YES
Eph 4:11-13
1 Tim 5:17-25
1 Tim 3:1-7, 8-13
8) IS PURGATORY REAL ? YES!. WHAT DOES
THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT IT?
Is 35:8, 52:1
Zech 13:1-2
1 cor 3:15
Lk. 12:47-48, 58-59
Rev. 21:27
Heb 12:22-23
Job 14:13-17
9)ABOUT INCENSE
Ex 30:33-37
Num 16:6-7
Lev. 16:12-13
Lk.1:10
Rev. 8:32
10) THE ROSARY IS A PRAYER IN HONOR OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Lk. 1:28,
Lk. 1:42
11) IS HOLY WATER THE WILL OF GOD TO BE
USED?
2 kings 2:19-22
John 5:1-18
John 7:37
12)WHY DO WE ASK THE SAINTS TO PRAY
FOR US?
Prov. 15:8, 15:29
Job 42:8
James 5:16
Mtt 16:19
13) WHY DO WE USE MEDALS, CRUCIFIXES
AND SCAPULARS AND BONE OF SAINTS?
( these help to remind us of what they stand
for)
2 kings 13:20-21
14) WHY MUST WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO
ANYBODY OTHER THAN GOD. Mtt 16:19, 1-20
15) IS INFANT BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE?
Acts 16:15 33
Acts 18:8
Mtt 28:19
Acts 10:47-48
Please help Rekindle our faith by shearing
with a fellow Catholic today, let's build up our
faith
I AM PROUD TO BE A CATHOLIC.

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE IN THE BIBLE

CATHOLIC DOCTRINES ARE IN THE BIBLE
Catholics are always intimidated into believing
that we do things contrary to the Bible just
because we are ignorants of what we do, the
following will help you locate WHERE what we
do in the Bible
1) PRAYING FOR THE DEAD
2 Mac. 12:38-45
Wisdom 3:1
Tobit 4:17
2) USE OF IMAGES AND SACRAMENTS
(these reminds us of what they stand for)
2 kings 3:20-21
Num. 21:8-9
Ex 25:17-22
Col 1:20, 2:14
John 12:32
Acts 19:11-12
3) AUTHENTICITY OF CATHOLIC TRADITION
AS A SOURCE OF REVEALED TRUTH
2 Thes 2:15
2 cor 10:10-11
John 21:25
2 John 1:12
3 John 1:13
4) THE SHIFT OF SUNDAY INSTEAD OF
SATURDAY ( SABBATH)
Rev 1:10
Acts 20:7
1 cor 16:1-2
John 20:1-22
5) THE POPE'S AUTHORITY AS THE
SUCCESSOR OF ST. PETER
John 21:15-17
Matt 16: 18-19
Acts 2:1-14
6) THE REFERENCE OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS AS
'FATHER' WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE FATHER
IN HEAVEN
Gen 17:4
Jer 7:7
Num 12:14
Jn. 6:49
Mtt. 23:30
Lk. 1:73
7) IS THE BIBLE IN SUPPORT OF THE
HIERARCHY IN THE CHURCH? YES
Eph 4:11-13
1 Tim 5:17-25
1 Tim 3:1-7, 8-13
8) IS PURGATORY REAL ? YES!. WHAT DOES
THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT IT?
Is 35:8, 52:1
Zech 13:1-2
1 cor 3:15
Lk. 12:47-48, 58-59
Rev. 21:27
Heb 12:22-23
Job 14:13-17
9)ABOUT INCENSE
Ex 30:33-37
Num 16:6-7
Lev. 16:12-13
Lk.1:10
Rev. 8:32
10) THE ROSARY IS A PRAYER IN HONOR OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Lk. 1:28,
Lk. 1:42
11) IS HOLY WATER THE WILL OF GOD TO BE
USED?
2 kings 2:19-22
John 5:1-18
John 7:37
12)WHY DO WE ASK THE SAINTS TO PRAY
FOR US?
Prov. 15:8, 15:29
Job 42:8
James 5:16
Mtt 16:19
13) WHY DO WE USE MEDALS, CRUCIFIXES
AND SCAPULARS AND BONE OF SAINTS?
( these help to remind us of what they stand
for)
2 kings 13:20-21
14) WHY MUST WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO
ANYBODY OTHER THAN GOD. Mtt 16:19, 1-20
15) IS INFANT BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE?
Acts 16:15 33
Acts 18:8
Mtt 28:19
Acts 10:47-48
Please help Rekindle our faith by shearing
with a fellow Catholic today, let's build up our
faith
I AM PROUD TO BE A CATHOLIC.

WHY SOME LADIES ARE STILL SINGLE

Good News Translation Proverbs 31:10 THE CAPABLE WIFE; How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Devil at times. still some ladfies's precious jewels .At times it is unknown to them. read further to know if devil had stolen your jewels and you are here blaming innocent woman /man in the vila

1. The Bitter Woman: You know that woman that always seems to be angry at the men folk all the time? Perhaps she has had her heart broken one too many times, but this woman is always bashing on men and talking about how they are no-good or useless. A man might not want to settle down with someone so bitter as it is guaranteed that when the opportunity arises, she would hurl hurtful insults and intense, hateful words his way due to all her unresolved anger.

2. The Selfish Woman : If you want a happy home and a partner that wants your happiness as well as hers, then you should steer clear of the selfish woman. A woman who is determined to make sure she always comes first would not be able to build a cheerful and loving home with you. solution here.; learn how  to give,satisfy  people
first. A lady I know got married just because out of little money she has,paid  maruwa fair worth of #30 NAIRA.THE YOUNG MAN ASKED WHO IS THIS LADY THAT PAID MY TRANSPORT FAIR ,SHE MUST BE A JEWEL.LADIES
COLLECT YOUR JEWEL BY SOME LITTLE THINGS YOU THINK IT DOESN'T MATTER.

3. The Materialistic Woman: A woman obsessed with material things would certainly not make the best wife. If all she cares about are material possession over family, faith and spiritual fulfillment, then she will not make the best partner.

4. The Flirty Woman : Are you attracted to that woman that always seems to flirt with one person or another? She flirts like a butterfly from one man to another and makes all men feel like she is interested in them. Well, beware, because a habit like that might be hard to break after marriage and you would not want to start hearing that your wife has had flirty conversations with all the men in the neighbourhood.

5. The Party Freak : She is invited to every party and attends them all. She is always dressed in the most flashy clothes and is the ultimate party girl. She lives for the next big gathering and cannot say no to an invitation. Such woman might not be the type to settle down in a marriage.

6. The Spoilt-Brat : A woman who grew up having everything handed to her and has never had the experience of actually working for something is unlikely to make the best wife. No matter how much you might be willing to provide her with the kind of lifestyle she grew up with, remember, marriage comes with kids and kids require sacrifice. If she has never had to work or make sacrifices for anything in her life, it is unlikely that she would start now.

7. The Attention Seeker : While some women naturally like attention, when it becomes an obsession, then it is not a good idea. A good husband makes sure he has time for his wife, but this cannot happen 100percent of the time so a good wife should understand that.

8. The Gossip : Does she always seem to never mind her own business? Is she always focused on what someone else is doing or how someone else is living their life? Then you do not need this kind of woman as a wife. A man needs someone that would build a home with him and this requires some focus on her own plans and her own life. If she is too busy minding someone else’s business, then you are fighting a losing battle.

9. The Commitment-Phobe : A woman who finds it difficult to commit to anything (school, jobs, family, friendship, etc) would also not be able to commit to a marriage. If she seems to lose interest in everything quickly and is always looking for the next thing to jump into, then you would have a hard time keeping her focused in her marriage.

10. The Disrespectful Woman: If she seems to always be disrespectful and rude (even if it is to people she considers beneath her standards) then you need to think twice about marrying her. Respect for a fellow human being is a very important attribute in who we choose to spend the rest of our lives with so it is definitely not something that should be TAKEN LIGHTLY .REMEMBER WE ARE HERE FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO PULL OFF THAT DEVIL'S CLOTH THAT CREATE ODD IN YOUR LIFE. CONTACT US @ MYNEWPDL.BLOGSPOT.COM :HOTLINE 08032246505

WHY DO CATHOLICS CALL PRIESTS "FATHER" SINCE JESUS SAYS CALL NO MAN YOUR FATHER ON EARTH

Why do Catholics call priests “father,” since Jesus says “call no man your father on earth” (Mt. 23:9
Response: In Matthew 23:9, Jesus emphasizes the primary role of our Heavenly Father. He created us in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26-28). He made us His children
through baptism in the death and resurrection of His Son (Rom. 5:12-21; 6:3-4; 8:12-17). Because God created us in His image and likeness, we share in the attributes of God. Insofar as men share in the attributes of the Father, they participate in the one fatherhood of God.
Discussion: In Matthew 23:9 Jesus says, “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” Many people interpret this to mean, “Do not call a priest “father,” and do not call your dad “father.” Some who hold this opinion go further and believe that calling a priest “father” is a sin because it directly violates a command from Jesus. Many Protestants make this a common objection against Catholicism.
If we believe these opinions, then what are we to make of the Scriptures that contradict this one? For example, in Mark 7:9-13, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for not honoring their “fathers.” Furthermore, calling the apostles and their successors “father” was common within the early Christian communities (1 Cor. 4:15, 1 Jn. 2:12, Acts 7:2, 22:1). As in the case of all scriptural interpretations, we must understand this passage in light of the rest of Scripture (cf. 2 Pet. 1:20; 3:16). This interpretative principle is called the “analogy of faith” [Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catechism), no. 114].
Honor thy father
In Deuteronomy 5:16, God commands, “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you; that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you, in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” God made this command after telling us to honor Him. With this in mind, it seems reasonable to conclude that God Himself considers others to be “fathers.” Jesus upholds this commandment in Mark 7:9-13. In that passage, He berates the scribes and Pharisees who used traditions to rationalize not providing assistance to their fathers. It is clear that He means someone other than God.
A father is one who begets children. Biologically, to beget means to give the seed from which a child is conceived. A man begets and a woman conceives. In this act of begetting, the man shares in the attributes of God’s fatherhood by actively contributing the seed for life. In turn, God is the author of life who actively creates a soul and infuses it into the child at the moment of conception. In this strictly physical sense, it is easy to determine the act of begetting, and who begets who.
It is important to remember that a child does not choose its biological father. The father chooses to give the child life. Just as God gives life to all men, and so deserves our honor and reverence, so a child owes its life to its father, and the father deserves honor from the child.
There is a spiritual sense to fatherhood as well. In John 8, Jesus identifies spiritual fatherhood in terms of who one honors. If we honor the father of lies, the devil is our father; if we honor God, He is our Father (v. 44-49). Thus, Jesus calls the devil a father of some, and He calls God the Father of others. Unlike the biological relationship between a father and his child, spiritual fatherhood is a choice of the “child.” In light of this passage, we can best understand what Jesus meant in Matthew 23:9.
Text and Context
Matthew 23:9 is part of a larger passage in which Jesus comments on the example of the scribes and Pharisees. Matthew devotes the entire chapter (23) to this discourse. While reading the entire chapter is most helpful in understanding this passage, the first 12 verses provided adequate context to begin the discussion.
Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. But you are no to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
In the remainder of the chapter, Jesus expresses disgust over the many hypocrisies of the scribes and Pharisees. He ends by giving a lament over Jerusalem for killing the prophets and ignoring the Word of God.
While there are many things that can be gleaned from this passage, we can see that in general, Jesus does four things here: (1) He identifies two authorities; (2) He explains the proper response to authority in general; (3) He condemns acts of pride and selfishness committed by those in authority; (4) In doing all these things, He is preparing the crowd for the New Covenant ratified in His Blood.
Who’s who?
In verse 2, Jesus notes that “the scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.” By this, He recognizes that they have an obligation to teach the people as Moses taught the people. Because he received the Law from God, and then gave it to the people, Moses was the mediator of the Sinai Covenant. The scribes and Pharisees cannot add to what Moses did, but only teach it. As teachers of this Law, they must be respected. This is the first authority identified, and it is rooted in the Sinai Covenant.
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all men that were on the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). And when Miriam and Aaron spoke in pride saying, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” (Num. 13:2), God punished them (Num. 13:9-16). Unlike Moses, from whom they claim authority, the scribes and Pharisees used their positions for their own profit and self-emulation. And so while Jesus tells the people to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees, He warns them not follow their prideful practices. As God punished Miriam and Aaron for their pride, so Jesus warns the scribes and Pharisees of punishment for theirs. One such act of pride was to be called “teacher,” “father,” and “master.” As in other places of Scripture, Jesus emphasizes here that one who seeks to be a teacher, father, or master must serve the rest. He does this by introducing a second authority, which would be rooted in the New Covenant ratified in His Blood.
In Matthew 23:9-10, Jesus identifies fatherhood with the Father in heaven, and ruling with the authority of the Christ. In a different way, He had already done this in Matthew 10. In that passage, Jesus commissioned His twelve apostles and sent them out in His name. Jesus told them, “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” In this way, the apostles knew they acted not on their authority, but on the authority of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Furthermore, those who accepted them were accepting the Christ and His Father in Heaven (see also Mt. 18:5; Mk. 9:37; Lk. 9:48; Jn. 13:20; 12:48; Gal. 4:14). Thus, our “father” is the one whom we choose to honor. In Matthew 23:9, Jesus exhorts us to choose His Father and those who act in His name.