Incentives play a major role in life. Economies are built on incentive structures which are hopefully bounded by appropriate values, laws and an equitable justice system.
Capitalism usually outperforms more state-directed systems because of incentive structures. Adam Smith's "invisible hand" coordinates a multitude of activities as people respond to individual incentives.
A business increases its profits by offering customers a better product, more selection, lower price, better service and/or convenience. Higher profits allow the business to grow, command more resources and hire more employees. By responding to the incentive of profits, through meeting customer needs better than the competition, the firm can increase the standard of living for its customers, employees and owners.
Similarly, young people go to college to increase their career possibilities. These students are responding to individual incentive. But society wins in the process by gaining a more educated work force and voter. The economy grows as new products are developed, new inventions are created and released, businesses are born, employment increases and the country becomes more internationally competitive. Those not going to college still gain from the impacts of young people responding to individual incentive to increase their education.
To grow an economy, wise decision-makers will take advantage of the "invisible hand" of incentive. Laws will be just and fair. The playing-field will be level. Everyone will have the opportunity to develop to their God-given potential. Taxes will be lowered to encourage business activity. Bureaucratic red tape will be kept at a minimum. People will respond to incentive and individuals, the economy and society will gain as a result.
As ministers in the kingdom, we have a responsibility to model and teach our charges to prioritize the incentives which motivate them to action. Many are motivated by acceptance, recognition, money, compassion, attendance, social norms, guilt, peer pressure, compassion, fear, tradition or the path of least resistance. Some of these are not necessarily bad for specific situations, but they should always be secondary.
First, we are to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Second, we are to live our lives according to the Word. Third, we have the responsibility to be led by the Spirit. Paul wanted to preach in Phrygia and Galatia, and wanted to go to Bithynia—all good goals—but the Spirit had plans for him to go to Macedonia. Isaac wanted to go to Egypt to escape the drought. God told him to plant where he was and he received a 100-fold return. God's best plan is always better than our good plans.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you" (Matt. 6:33, MEV).
"Whoever comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show whom he is like: He is like a man who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on rock" (Luke 6:47-48, MEV).
"They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they came near Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not allow them. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night a vision appeared to Paul: A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them" (Acts 16:6-10, MEV).
Fully consecrated ministers will be motivated by the will of God; other incentives will be secondary. When a God-given sermon is likely to cause some to be offended, the sermon is given. When a large donor makes suggestions that detract from what God wants you to do, the advice is ignored. When silence about popular social norms and practices will attract visitors, warnings are proclaimed.
Let us remember that it is His kingdom. Responding to His will has primary importance. 
Dr. James Russell is a professor of economics and undergraduate chair of the College of Business at Oral Roberts University.
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