The sky was a deep blue and the sun shone brightly over a small town in Africa. John Tarolli had a feeling of satisfaction as he helped with the construction of a brick house for a homeless family. But John is more than a construction worker with a heart for sharing Christ and helping people in need. John is a Certified Public Accountant by profession. In addition to helping build homes for people in Africa, he taught accounting and inventory control. John has a passion for hard work, which enabled him to start his own company eight years ago.
Receiving Blessings
John Tarolli Company provides CPA consulting services and business application software. Founded on the principles of integrity and merit, the company is headquartered in Orange County, California with managing offices and affiliates throughout the global market in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. John has excelled in his knowledge of accounting and software. In college he realized he should take full advantage of his talents, although his desire was, and still is, to be a doctor. After college John became a CPA and a stockbroker.
The hard work John has put into his company has paid off. He knows he is greatly blessed by the Lord. He believes that "If you are a cheerful giver and a frugal spender, God will bless it." John has earned a six-figure income the past eight years and consistently gives more than 40 percent of his income to the Lord.
John was raised in a home by parents who loved the Lord and had hearts for those in need. Over the years his parents have taken in dozens of foster children and cared for them with the love of the Lord. John remembers his parents always talking about the Bible, which laid a strong foundation for his faith in the Lord. When John was 14 years old he developed a severe week-long headache that put him in the hospital. At the end of that trial John's faith in the Lord was strengthened and he vowed to serve God from that point.
As a Christian in the corporate and business world, John faces many challenges. One of John's greatest frustrations with corporate America is that people often speak unkindly about others and slander them. As a Christian John knows he must handle such issues in a manner that honors God. One characteristic people see in John is his peace and lack of stress. His peace in the Lord often opens opportunities for him to share his faith.
Sharing Blessings
John takes advantage of opportunities to share his faith with clients and others. In one instance a client who was getting divorced and was quite discouraged came to him. John gave him The Purpose Driven Life (Zondervan, 2002) and shared Scriptures with him. He also told his client that he ought to join a church. His client followed John's advice.
Traveling is a major part of John's business. When in town John holds a Bible study on Sunday nights in order to reach out to people.
Because of his fast-paced and challenging life, John realizes his need for accountability and encouragement. All of his mentors are Christians. John values their input and encouragement. John also is involved in his church and in missions. John plans to enroll in medical school. As in every aspect of his life, John's current goal is not simply to become a doctor, but to be involved in medical missions and serve God on the mission field.
John's passion for running a successful company is important, but his desire to live out his faith and give to the Lord transcends that passion. He believes that money can solve problems and that God enabled him to make money to solve problems and share his faith in the process. Whether on the mission field or in the business world, John trusts God to help him live life to the fullest, to reach out with the love of Christ, and to make a difference with his faith.
Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.
OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
January 28, 2007 - Changing a community—one event at a time
December 24, 2006 - Business by the book
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best October 29, 2006
October 1, 2006 - Work is important, but family comes first October 1, 2006
August 6, 2006 - Nurturing faith at home and school August 6,2006
July 9, 2006 - Adventures in faithJuly 9, 2006
June 11, 2006 - Helping ministries growJune 11, 2006
May 14, 2006 - Taking faith on the roadMay 14, 2006
April 16, 2006 - Finding open doors in the workplaceApril 16, 2006
March 19, 2006 - Serving God and working from home Mar. 19, 2006
February 19, 2006 - Working out her faith
January 22, 2006 - Teaching through faith
November 27, 2005 - Taking Christ to Hollywood
October 30, 2005 - Many jobs, one mission
September 22, 2005 - Ministering to mothers
September 4, 2005 - Christ in the courtroom
