Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 264 – The good centurion

I’ve been thinking about the story of Cornelius in Acts 10. 

(Cornelius said) “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you, Peter, to tell us.” Acts 10:33

Cornelius was a Roman centurion. As such, he commanded about 80 warriors and support staff. Centurions were often promoted from the ranks for their courage, discipline, and leadership. They were expected to lead from the front. They were examples of bravery and endurance.^[1]

He became one of the first non-Jewish believers in Jesus.

What a radical decision Cornelius made. By accepting and following the God of Israel, he was rejecting the pantheon of Roman gods, and even the divinity ascribed to his own emperor.^[2] This would have been considered treasonous by Rome.

Cornelius represented the occupier, yet he consciously invited the occupied into his home and worshipped God with them. 

Instead of oppressing the people under his rule, he gave generously and prayed to God regularly. He was considered righteous and respected.

The example of Cornelius challenges us as business people. Will we operate our businesses with the same courage and integrity? Will we be generous, just, and God-honouring in our decisions? Will we treat our staff with equity and fairness? Will we stand up against the gods of our own age as Cornelius did, even when it gets us in trouble? 

With God’s help, we can.

Prayer

God, help me to aspire to the example of Cornelius, with courage and integrity.

Amen

^[1] Adrian Goldsworthy, The Complete Roman Army (Thames & Hudson, 2003), Stephen Dando-Collins, Legions of Rome (St. Martin’s Press, 2012), and Lawrence Keppie, The Making of the Roman Army: From Republic to Empire (Routledge, 1998)

^[2] Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Pliny the Younger, Letters