In Myerstown, Scott Heintzelman said businesspeople should feel free to share their faith
Scott Heintzelman walks among his audience at Evangelical Seminary on Thursday morning. He was the speaker during Faith in the Marketplace breakfast meeting. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS STEVE SNYDER )
During a breakfast meeting at Evangelical Seminary, Heintzelman cited the example of Benaiah from 2 Samuel 23, who had killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day.
"Be brave, courageous, fearless," said Heintzelman, who spoke to a Faith in the Marketplace gathering on the topic "The Power of One."
The fear of rejection, the possible cost to a business and the effect on one's reputation were mentioned by his listeners as reasons why people are reluctant to share their faith in public.
His parents "made sure I was passionate," Heintzelman said, and that trait was on display as he walked among his audience.
"Sometimes we're afraid to (share our faith) because it might hurt our bottom line," he said. "At times it can be difficult to share our faith, particularly from Monday through Friday. ... We're supposed to be channels, not reservoirs. He'll bless you with greater strength and contentment."
One Bible verse that is misunderstood, Heintzelman said, is the familiar one that reads, "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the kingdom of God."
While many people think "meek" means "weak," it actually means "easily directed by God," Heintzelman said.
A partner in the accounting firm McKonly & Asbury, Heintzelman writes a blog, "The Exuberant Accountant," which attracts readers from around the world.
He will soon stop writing that blog because on Monday he will start a new job as vice president of finance for Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe of Chambersburg. Another blog could follow in the future, he said.
"God made it clear to me he wanted me to chase my lion and be bold," said Heintzelman, who has spent 22 years in public accounting since graduating from Messiah College, where he admitted he was more focused on basketball than classes until his father helped him rearrange his priorities.
"I believe in the power of one," he said. "I challenge you as well. ... What lions should you be chasing?"
During a question-and answer session, the Snyder County native said his daughter has been an inspiration for him.
"I'm blessed to have a 17-year-old daughter whose mission field is Facebook," Heintzelman said. "Every day she puts a Bible verse on there."
Each person has an opportunity to provide a "living testimony. ... You have to live a certain way before you get credibility."
While he was at Messiah, Heintzelman said, he and other students conducted a street ministry on Second Street in Harrisburg. That ministry gave him an early opportunity to share his faith with strangers.
"God gives us each talent and gifts," he said, mentioning church, neighbors, friends and kids as gifts.
In his job, Heintzelman said, he has stood against "wrongness."
"I've walked away from gentlemen where it was unethical," he said, using tax avoidance as an example. "Some methods are legal but not correct."
Heintzelman said sins of omission can be worse than those of commission.
"In church, sometimes we focus in on things we should stop doing," he said. "We're focused on sins of commission. Maybe we're tired or scared. ... God wants us to be bold. Maybe I need to take a stand in my business and take a risk."
The next Faith in the Marketplace breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 17, and will feature a panel discussion on integrity.
stevesnyder@ldnews.com; 272-5611, ext. 152
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