Kingdom EntrepreneurshipEsimerkki

God’s Vision for Business

As Christian entrepreneurs, our businesses should look very different from those celebrated or exposed by the media and the movies. In the secular business environment, hostile takeovers, CEO overthrows, share raids, and liquidations are par for the course. There are inevitable consequences when we deny God’s way of doing business, and a business owner’s self-interest always damages people in the organization. We’re called to work (Genesis 2:15) by building businesses that glorify God. If we want to be in line with His vision for the marketplace, our products and services should help people to flourish and give them an experience of God’s Kingdom.

When it came to doing business and making money, my heart’s desires changed when I became a Christian. God wanted me to lay down my selfish desires and commit to using my business acumen to serve others. Scripture changed me, influencing my business strategies and decisions for good, and I know it will do the same for you. The Bible shows us three powerful Kingdom roles played by business:

Firstly, our businesses should provide for those less fortunate as we see in Leviticus 23:22. Your next step might be to figure out who the ‘the poor’ and ‘the foreigner’ are in your community. Is God highlighting people who aren’t necessarily financially poor, but who are spiritually poor, in danger, vulnerable, or lacking opportunity? Let’s stop making excuses. Let’s help.

Secondly, we should do business with integrity. Genesis 30:25-43 records a wage negotiation between Jacob and his father-in-law. Jacob simply asks that he might have any of Laban’s sheep or goats that are dark, speckled, or spotted (in other words, not the prize specimens). Jacob operated with integrity. He wasn’t driven by greed. He could’ve asked for far more, but he wanted God to multiply his results – and God did, supernaturally. Even if you’re in a season of waiting for God to come through for you (and He will!), never lose sight of the truth that integrity is always worth it.

Thirdly, God calls us to use our business influence to uplift others. Matthew 27:57-60 describes how Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus, requested Jesus’ body from Pilate to place it in his own tomb, newly carved from rock. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin and a wealthy trader of metals. His affluence gave him unique influence in the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was particularly significant that Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb sealed by a massive rock – circumstances that made His resurrection even more remarkable. God will use your unique influence, too, to show His power.

God has shown us His heart for the marketplace. We’re called to do business to help those less fortunate. We’re called to collaborate with God in our endeavors and use our influence to advance the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of self. May we be known for our allegiance to God alone, and may God multiply our efforts, for the fame of His name in this generation.