Customer Reviews

Anointed for Business - How to use your influence in the marketplace to change the world

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I've read some pretty terrible books on this very topic. Anointed For Business, however, is different. It is an incredibly easy read, yet at the same time very liberating. Pardon the cliche, but it is just so true: every Christian needs to read this book. As I got deeper and deeper into the chapters, I felt a very heavy burden of guilt being lifted off my soul. The Lord has set me free through this book, and through Ed Silvoso, has given me a renewed purpose in life. I really can't stress enough how important this book is to any Christian even slightly interested in business - or even "full time ministry" for that matter. Every person that reads this book is delivering a heavy blow to satan's deceptions and attempt to strangle the kingdom of God out of our most important aspects of society.

Ed Silvoso zeros in on the missing link between knowing the written Word and living it. He brings home meaning and purpose in our everyday lives and how we impact our society in the workplace. What I liked most is that it puts Christians in all walks of life on an equal footing with those considered the "full-time" Christian workers. Christians are all called to be full timers for God and every workplace becomes our parrish, a holy calling. Silvoso, is not heavy in theology, just clear and practical. He hits us where we live today. I recommend this book to everyone who desires a more productive lifestyle for God.

I came across this book while burning some time in a Tampa Christian bookstore last Summer. After I read the blurbs on the back and skimmed the book a bit, I decided to buy it.

What I found interesting is how the author portrays Christians, Jesus and wealth. I think many of us "traditionally" think the apostles and Jesus where generally poor. I think this again comes from "traditional" thought of wealth being "evil."

Wealth in and of itself is not evil. Do we see our identity in our wealth? Do we see it as a gift from God to be shared trusting He will replenish it? Does wealth control us?

This book showed me Jesus and the apostles actually had earthly wealth and great spiritual resources Why wouldn't they? The apostles were with Jesus, the son of the living God incarnate, who created everything.

I also find the author puts out a challenge to take God into the marketplace. I agree with him. Too many Christians leave their Christianity behind; they mistakenly believe it has no place in business. I believe the business world is a fertile field for Christians.

I would highly recommend this book.

Silvoso does a wonderful job of dispelling myths about ministry and the marketplace, and offers both hope and courageously practical guidance. His audience is those working in the marketplace wanting to have an impact on the Kingdom. The book starts out with a bit about Ed's own story, then he takes a close look at the relationship between the marketplace and Jesus, the disciples, and early church. He makes the point well that all business, indeed all the systems of the world, are under the reign of God's kingdom. Christians in the marketplace are properly called ministers if they are serving God and serving others with the right heart and in the power of the Spirit.

Chapters 8 and 9 are particularly well written, as he discusses the different ways in which Christians have chosen to live and act within the marketplace, and sets some clear goals and a pathway to be all that God has called us to be in this sphere. I wasn't sure what to expect from the book given the title, but this quote on page 33 describes what he means by anointed for business: "To be anointed for business is to be set aside by God for service in the marketplace. Once anointed, we are to use our job as a ministry vehicle to transform the marketplace so that the gospel will be preached to, and heard by, every creature in our sphere of influence. The same principle applies in all areas of the marketplace: business, education and government." While the book is of particular interest to business owners and leaders, it really is for every single worker in the marketplace - "It does not matter where you find yourself in the marketplace today. What is important is that you embrace your calling to transform that place by using the power that God has made available to you" (pg 136). Ultimately the author calls us to embrace our marketplace setting, care for the people there, serve them and others as if serving God, and bring the transformation that God desires.

I would recommend this book strongly for any Christian in the workplace, as well as their church leaders.

Ed Silvoso skilfully blends sound biblical teaching with experience to redefine Christian "ministry." Ed believes everyone is called to minister the love and power of God's kingdom within their spheres of influence. While he writes primarily about marketplace ministry, everyone can apply the principles. This book is a valuable tool for unleashing the church on the world as Christ intended. From my perspective as a marketplace minister and as a Ph.D. in church history, I believe this book should also be required reading for every seminary student. Ed has helped me cooperate better with God's purpose to redeem institutions, not simply the people who run them.

I say "finally", because i have waited for a book that deeply discusses business and Christians therein for a long time. Ed Silvoso does an outstanding job of breaking down the beliefs that act as barriers preventing many Christians from going into business and operating in the marketplace.

One thing i really liked about this book, is how we are shown how Jesus really was a businessman himself - working in a carpentry shop (for profit i imagine!), and how he chose the MARKETPLACE to find his disciples, and NOT the synagogues and temples. None of the disciples were rabbis or teachers, and it's so important to remember that.

The book also does a great job at overall, pointing out how God loves business! He doesn't hate money, or people who have a ton of it, he loves them. What the money is used for, is where he starts to search our hearts and see what our motives really are. Silvoso also makes a great point in saying that "perceiving profit motive as evil prevents many Christians from succeeding in the marketplace". Profit is a good thing, and it can be an extremely powerful thing when profit is used according to God's will.

I think the most important message to take away from this book is this: Business IS ministry. The Church, is a collective group of people, while a church is a physical location and building. The two cannot be confused. If you are in business, then the marketplace is your place to worship the Lord and preach to others. You are a minister. The marketplace today need to reconciled to God, and Christian businessmen and women are the primary people to help God do this. May it be so!

This book has been such an inspiration and motivation to me. Faced with working in a secular environment, we must look at each situation as an opportunity to share our faith with those around us.

This book is a paradigm shifter, providing fresh insight into how we practically provide Christian leadership and influence in our places of work. A wonderful guide to helps us realize that our job can also be our ministry.
We as business leaders are strategically placed to have a positive impact on the expansion of God's Kingdom. This book is a definite part of my "Dantotsu (Best of the Best) Collection."

Danita Bye
Sales Growth Specialists

Ed Silvoso presents numerous life changing principles in a clear and concise way. His writing style is enjoyable to read with a good smattering of real-life examples. I would highly recommend for anyone at any level of business.

A preacher told me about this book at a service that I attended and I purchased the book the next day. It is absolutely insightful and it gives keen ideas as to how you can glorify God in a cut throat business world.