Work as Worship: A 5-Day Video Bible Studyनमुना

Hobby Lobby entices crafty artists and homeowners with its wide-ranging home decorating and artistic materials. In this short video, founder David Green explains why he made a dramatic decision to run the highly successful company as a steward rather than as an owner.

As Hobby Lobby showed a trend toward financial stability and profit, financial consultants advised Green to avoid heavy tax repercussions by passing down the ownership of the company to his heirs. But Green balked. His concern was not so much for the financial savings such a move could provide, but for the legacy of the company itself. 

“God owns Hobby Lobby,” he said. And with that mindset, he could not allow his children and grandchildren to automatically inherit shares in the company. Though the current family members loved God and served Him wholeheartedly, Green knew that such faith could not be guaranteed in future generations. “How many generations will [that faith] be passed down?” What if, he asked, his future great-grandchildren find themselves struggling morally, relationally, spiritually, yet own a substantial inheritance? How would that glorify God?

He agonized over his decision not to pass down the assets to his family. He prayed, he consulted others, he spoke at length with his children and grandchildren. In the end, “every Green family member agreed that they would no longer be entitled to any financial ownership of the company, and if anything ever happened to the company, the proceeds would go to Christian ministries.” They determined not to touch the tree, meaning the company itself, but only the fruit (profits): as owners, they were legally tied to the tree itself, so they had to legally change their relationship to it.

They understand that they are stewards, not owners. God provides, God owns, they manage. “We have two choices: be stewards or owners,” Green said. “Our stock is in trust—it cannot be touched. Why? Because it is not ours. All we did is follow the scriptures.”

Do you see your business as your own, or something God has entrusted to you? How does your perspective influence the way you run your company?

What steps can you take to encourage your board or leadership team to become more steward-like?