Speaking For Jesus

Before I recognized the call of God on my life, I studied a lot of self-help materials while attempting various business opportunities and sales jobs. One author I gleaned from was Zig Ziglar who died this past Wednesday at the age of 86. Zig was famous for exhorting the importance of having a “check up from the neck up” to get rid of “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

Growing up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Zig had Christian values instilled in him by his mother who made sure the family went to church three times a week. However, Zig didn’t become born again until he was 45 years old. Worldly people advised him not to talk about his faith claiming it would hinder his success as a public speaker. Zig had a clever way of witnessing during his speaking engagements. 

Ziglar pointed out a key to success in sales is learning how to ask questions. A book that can help one in this area is the Holy Bible. Jesus was the greatest sales and marketing manager who ever lived. The Lord responded to questions asked of Him with a question or a parable. So read the Bible and learn how to ask questions. 

Ziglar would go on to say, “…and as long as you’re in there, you might as well read the answer. Because one of these days He's going to ask you a question, and if you get it right, you get to stay!”

Whether you are a minister or a layperson, all of us can benefit from motivational materials based on Biblical principles. Two books by Zig Ziglar that I recommend reading are “See You At the Top” and “Confessions of a Happy Christian.” In another Zig Ziglar book I paged through while browsing at a library, I learned one couldn’t succeed in sales unless he promotes a product or service he strongly believes in. For two decades now, I have marketed the most important product of all: eternal life through Jesus Christ.

“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” - Luke 14:23