Dominion Through Influence Versus Control

“You have made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; You have put all things under his feet.” — Psalm 8:6

What is your worldview of dominion?  How do you realize this through business?

In 1492, Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain issued the edict that all Jews should be driven out of Spain and its territories in an attempt to protect Christians from Judaism. That year, the entire Jewish community, some 200,000 people, was expelled from Spain. Tens of thousands of refugees died while trying to reach safety. The Spanish ship captains charged passengers exorbitant sums and then dumped them overboard in the middle of the ocean. Rumors spread throughout Spain that the fleeing refugees had swallowed gold and diamonds, and many Jews were knifed to death by brigands hoping to find treasures in their stomachs.

That same year a Christian businessman from Spain named Christopher Columbus set out on an expedition to discover the West Indies. Columbus was in pursuit of new resources to satisfy his personal ambition and his queen.[1]  This led to the discovery of a little island named Haiti, the killing of numerous natives on that island, and later to the colonization of the Americas and the beginnings of the United States of America. This also was the genesis of colonization that affected Africa, Asia and the Americas. Later, this would lead to modern day slavery throughout Europe and America and eventually segregation in America and apartheid in South Africa.

These events were conducted by Christian nations and by many who identified themselves as Christians, believing they were following the will of God. They may have been motivated by a sincere desire to “Christianize” the world, but they had the wrong worldview of dominion. They saw dominion as a tool to control versus influence.

What is your view of dominion? Dominion is one of the most powerful gifts granted to man by God, but unfortunately it has been abused by even the most sincere men in history. The gift of dominion is an ordained transfer of authority and enablement by God to man so that man can accomplish God’s will on earth. It is the act of God giving man the right to steward His resources for His purposes.

Dominion gives man stewardship over resources, not other people. Unfortunately, many have taken this as a license to abuse others and control resources at the expense of others. True dominion must be manifested in influence and service rather than control. Dominion through control is man using power and might to take advantage of others and abuse God’s resources, while dominion through influence is man using their advantage to steward resources and serve others.

Taking dominion through influence displays a recognition that God is in control and we are mere stewards. As we seek to influence others by being salt and light, He will give us ultimate control. Taking dominion through control suggests that authority and power are all about us and that God cannot accomplish His will unless we take control. This approach causes us to take control by any means necessary, which actually leads us to lose our influence. It becomes about realizing our will versus realizing God’s will.

God is sovereign no matter who is in control and does not need us to force our way into power for His will to be realized.

What if those who set out to dominate the world in 1492 had sought to influence by being salt and light to the world? How different would things be today? Are you leading your business through control or influence?

My prayer for you today is that God will grant you the wisdom to take dominion through influence and the grace to be salt and light for the glory of God.

[1] *Source:  Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin