Faith at Work: A Plan for Business LeadersSample

Reputation and Representation

Micah 6:8 (NLT)
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Running a business in the automotive repair industry comes with its fair share of challenges. Let’s be honest—mechanics often rank pretty low on the trust scale. That’s why having a solid reputation is priceless.

For me, as a Christian businessman, reputation and representation are two sides of the same coin. The way I handle my business and interact with customers not only builds my reputation in the industry but, on a much bigger scale, it reflects my commitment to living for Christ. Every day, I have to choose to act with integrity and follow the Way of Jesus.

But here’s the thing: sometimes, these ideas of “doing what’s right” and “walking humbly” can sound a bit abstract—until we add people into the picture. Business, at its core, is all about relationships. It’s about meeting people where they are, taking the time to understand their individual needs, and making that extra effort to communicate well and serve them. And that’s where we must look to Jesus. He was the Ultimate Example of meeting people with compassion, seeing beyond their surface needs to what was really going on in their lives.

As we go about our day, it’s important to remember that the Holy Spirit is always with us, helping us see people as God sees them. Jesus’ Command to “love your neighbor as yourself” wasn’t just a suggestion—it’s a Call To Action, especially in business.

My business can involve a lot of spreadsheets and money management, and I enjoy running a profitable workshop. I’m grateful that, even during tough economic times, we’ve been able to maintain a strong, loyal customer base. But more than that, I strive to make sure that my business represents God well. For me, serving others with integrity and care is a way to honor Him.

There’s a Māori proverb in New Zealand that says, “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata,” which means, “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”

At the end of the day, our reputation—how we consistently treat people and run our businesses—is one of the key ways we can reflect Christ’s Light in the world.