Serving God's Purposes

Serving God's Purposes in Business

By Mike McLoughlin,
Youth With A Mission, Marketplace Mission
Visit the Scruples Small Business Forum at www.scruples.net for more information.

(The Introduction Chapter from Planning A Successful Small Business Seminar)

The Discipling of Nations

Jesus Christ's last command to His disciples was: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus commanded his followers to disciple nations. How is it possible to disciple nations? The church seems to have enough problem discipling individuals. But it is in the heart of God that nations would follow Him.¹

During the past 100 years the dominant influence governing the direction of nations has been ideology. Since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 the influence of ideology over nations has been in decline.²

The March 1994 election in Italy was an example of the new forces influencing nations.³This election was a result of dramatic reforms in the country's government and institutions. Traditionally, the election would have been contested between the fascist right and the communist left. The Christian Democrats of the right who had governed the country for the past 40 years were swept aside because of the corruption scandals. There was an upsurge in support for fascist parties and the communist left changed its image to portray itself as a moderate social democratic party.

Neither of these parties won the election though. Victory went to a third party that was not based on any ideology. The leader of this party enjoyed widespread popularity and he formed the new government. Why? Because he was a successful businessman. People said that they voted for him because he has been successful in business and they want their economy improved and better living conditions.

In the 21st Century, business and economics will be the dominant influence upon nations and societies.³ Peoples will choose individuals who they see will improve their countries economically.

However, neither ideology nor economics can really solve the problem of sin. Sin can be spelt: s -- capital I -- n. The nature of every human being has been infected with sin so that everyone looks out for his own interests first. Many worthy ideas have come to nothing because of sin. Unless the problem of sin is dealt with neither ideology nor practical capitalism will succeed in triumphing over the evils that beset nations. It is interesting to note that within a year of winning the election the new Prime Minister of Italy had to resign because he faced corruption charges.⁵

The answer to the problem of sin is found in the person and message of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ will break the power of sin in individuals and in nations. If future leaders of nations are business people with a Christian value system they will influence their nation for Jesus Christ. They will be the ones who will address the problem of sin properly because they know the answer to it. The Scripture says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23).

Nations are discipled by individuals because individuals influence the direction and values of nations. God wants to raise up people such as yourselves who will take a stand for Jesus Christ in business and in the marketplace and who will disciple the nations through their influence for what is right and just.

God's Purposes for Christians in the Marketplace

In Canada, as in other places, I notice there exists an uneasy tension between the church and business.⁶ Religious leaders can make a distinction between what is spiritual and what is secular. They invariably equate business activity with secular activity and consider it to be a lesser calling in the life of a Christian. This is a form of dualism and is not taught in the Scriptures.

Still, business people are important to the church as a source of money and administrative skills. Sometimes business people that are actively involved in spiritual ministries are encouraged to leave their secular employment and go into ministry "full time". Rarely is there a word from the church to encourage business people to be in business because God has a purpose for them to be in the marketplace.

I believe God has a purpose for you to be in business (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and for you to go into business (Luke 19:13). You can be source of funds or skills to the church. You can accumulate wealth and provide jobs for the unemployed. You can be a witness and evangelize your customers. These are worthy purposes in themselves. Yet I believe God's purpose is greater. He wants you to be in business so that you can take ground for the kingdom of God and extend the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your business, over your marketplace, over your community and over your nation.

Six Hurdles to Overcome

To exercise an influence on their nation for Jesus Christ, Christians in business will need to overcome at least six hurdles. A hurdle is a barrier that a runner must overcome to finish his race.

I. Poor Reputation

I have often had conversations with business people about doing business with Christians. They do not like to do business with Christians. To them Christians are very demanding and they do not want to pay a fair price for the services. I have also heard that Christian business people are really no different than any other people in the way in which they treat their employees.

A good business reputation is important for the success of Christians in business. However, it seems many Christians in business lack a good reputation. For example, I received a letter from a pastor who was a former businessperson. In response to my question concerning his experience with Christians in business he stated: "If I want my car repaired, house repaired, renovations, any of the trades, etc. except for the rare exception I would never use a Christian person. At one time I did, as a way to help out each other, but in 99% of all cases workmanship was poor at best. Punctuality was non-existent, consistent attendance at the job-site was virtually non-existent - plea for money before the job was complete was a familiar swan song. Follow-up to finish details would take months. Many Christian lawyers and accountants are of a similar nature in my experience.... Secular businesspersons are "tough" as we hammer out a deal, but they almost always follow through to the end. Christians were nice and smley at the beginning but turned sour as time went on. For me personally, this has never ceased to amaze me, how it is so wide spread and I have no idea why it is."

Not only do Christians in business suffer from a poor business reputation, but also, they suffer a poor reputation as Christians. There is a well-known businessman who is a prominent member of a Pentecostal church. He gives large sums of money to his church and supports other charities.

However, among his many business interests he owns a magazine distributing company that is the largest distributor of pornographic magazines in his city. When confronted about the apparent contradiction he simply stated that he does not allow his Christianity to influence the decisions he makes in business.⁷That man will never serve the purposes of God in his business. If Christ is not Lord of all of your life including your business activity He is not Lord at all in your life.

This man like many Christians in business lives as two different persons. There is the Christian person who has a Christian value system and then there is the businessperson who has a business value system. The Christian person is seen at church on Sundays and then there is the businessperson that is seen 8 to 12 hours each day at work. Very often there is a conflict between these two persons and their value systems. Christians should not lie or steal. Business people often face difficult choices and temptations to lie and steal just to survive in business. Often they succumb to these temptations. To put it simply, some Christian business people are neither happy as Christians because of the guilt associated with their business activity nor are they happy as business people because their Christian conscience is constantly bothering them about their business practice. This results in a choice needing to be made as to which kind of person they are going to be. Most business people choose to put busines first and their Christianity is weak or non-existent. This is probably why they are often portrayed in the church in sermons, stories and other Christian literature as deceiving, scheming, greedy and stingy.

II. Lack of Respect by the Church

Because Christian in business are often perceived as "tainted" by their pursuit of money they are sometimes considered by the Christian community as "spiritual lepers," outcasts, and ones who are "unclean".

Yet, in terms of their position in society Christians in business are strategically placed to effect the purposes of God. They have control over resources, people and institutions. They interact with the world on a constant basis. They stand at the crossroads of life in our society. They know what is going on in the marketplace and what to do about it. There are few Christians who have such a great potential to impact the world for Jesus Christ as Christians in business.

However, the church does not seem to respect this potential. It does not seek to disciple business people in the context of their business activity. It does not challenge business people to minister in the marketplace. It would rather those business people who feel called into the ministry leave their secular employment and work for the church.

III. Lack of Revelation

It is not true that Christians must leave secular employment or business to fulfil God's calling to minister. In reality, the best place for them to be is right where they are. However, as the Bible says, Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18) The church has left Christians in the marketplace to fend for themselves and discover how best to do business. Without God's revelation, the people perish and that is exactly what is happening for Christians in business. Too often they end up chasing money just as the pagans do without a thought to serving God in business. As Jeremiah said: My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good. (Jeremiah 4:22).

Christians in business need to know how to do good. They need an understanding of God's truth as it applies to their business activity. They need a revelation of how they can practically apply that truth to specific business situations and then they need the will to obey God and implement it in their business activity.

IV. Lack of Resources

In my search for teaching material to equip Christians in business I wrote to over 100 business people that I knew asking them for resources that had helped them as Christians in business. One of them runs a Christian bookstore. He replied: " I began immediately to look for books that might be suitable but was unable to find any that were really excellent... My findings so far have been from microfiche and computer lists and talking to our sales representatives. One sales rep was sure he had the answers for me but when I ordered the book in to look at I was not impressed... All the books I found are what I would call 'glorified ethics books' and not suitable for teaching purposes." The replies I received from others were equally lacking in good teaching resources for Christians in business.

V. Relationship not just rules

Many of the titles I did review focused on business wisdom and insight from the book of Proverbs. That was a good place to start in understanding God's purposes in business. Solomon had many wise rules to obey that will result in a person being successful, yet I was interested in the Christian in business succeeding not just materially but also spiritually. To succeed spiritually we must practice relationship more than religious rules.

Jesus, who referred to himself as "one greater than Solomon" is the source of all truth. I found that he had much to say about money and business in his teaching and in his parables. Christ’s teachings focus on the character of God, our relationship with God and our relationship with each other. He said, Be perfect, therefore, AS your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48, emphasis mine). Jesus teaches us that which is ethical in business is that which is consistent with the character of God rather than that which is consistent with a set of rules from Proverbs.⁸ As we grow in our relationship with God our character will reflect His character and we will "be perfect" not by obeying a set of rules but by being like God. So although I often refer to the Proverbs in my teaching material, many of the principles I expound upon in this book are derived from the teachings of Christ.

VI. Lack of Role Models

When business people become Christians they often look to more mature Christians for models of right Christian behaviour. It is easy for a new believer to adopt a Christian language or methods of prayer from the church pastor or missionary. For business people, however, there are too few mature Christians whom they can look to as role models for them in business. Because the church has failed to disciple Christians in business, new believers from the business community look to worldly role models in the pursuit of business success.

Yet it is very important that when business people become Christians they have a model of business conduct that is consistent with their Christian faith. As the Bible says, You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Christians in business need to know what the "new self" looks like in their business activity. Unfortunately, they bring with them into their new Christian faith, all the old habits, patterns and practices of conducting business. They continue to do business as the world does business because they do not know there is a better way and they have not seen older more mature Christian business people do it differently. The great need for them is godly role models who will disciple them in their Christian faith in business. Paul said to his converts: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. -- 1 Corinthians 11:1. Christians in business need an example to follow, a model of the example of Christ in business.

These role models exist in Scripture and I will use them to illustrate some of the Biblical principles in this text. I have found Job to be of particular inspiration. The Good Samaritan is a New Testament role model for a Christian in business. But the model we are all called to emulate is Jesus Christ himself and my call to Christians in business is that they would display the character of Christ in all that they do.

Character is the Foundation

In the marketplace, many people need assistance in their businesses or in starting businesses. They expect that I can help them in business. Yet I know that I have to be careful about these expectations. Unlike a recent seminar that was advertised in our local newspaper, I do not pretend to have magic formulas for your business.⁹ During the past five years I started and operated two small businesses in Canada. One was a marketing and consulting business that assisted other small businesses in developing business plans and advertising. The other business I managed was a fruit tree orchard. We grew and marketed about 30 to 40 tons of cherries every year. Although I am experienced in the operation of a small business I have no magic solutions or formulas for small business people.

However, there is one area where I believe I can make a major difference in the success or failure of your business and that is in the area of character. I want to encourage you to walk in your business in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ. Only then will you overcome these hurdles that hinder you from serving God's purposes in business.

Jesus tells the story about the man who listened to His words and obeyed them saying that he is like a man who built his house upon a rock and when the storms came the house still remained. He contrasted this with the man who did not listen or obey Him but built his house on sand and when the storm came it collapsed. (Matthew 7:24) That house is the character of a Christian in business. The foundation is obedience to the word of Christ. If a character is not built upon the word of Christ it will surely collapse taking with it the life and the business of the Christian.

Jesus has much to say to business people that will enable them to develop a godly character. Character is the foundation to your success in business. If you listen to the words of Christ, take them to heart, and consistently make choices in your business consistent with the character of God, you will succeed. I do not promise success in terms of how the world succeeds i.e. wealth and prosperity, but I do promise you success in terms of your life and in terms of serving the purposes of God in your business. If you are true to Him He will be true to you and He will uphold you and establish you in your life and in your business.

Ability is the Main Stay

It says in the story of David and Goliath that ... David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. -- 1 Samuel 17:50. Even at a young age David was known as a man of character. Samuel anointed him and he attended Saul's court and soothed him with his music. His character was put to the ultimate test when he faced Goliath. He was not afraid and he did not waiver under the pressure. He trusted that God would deliver him from the hand of the Philistine just as he had from the lion and the bear. However, David did not triumph over the Philistine by character alone. It was not by a miraculous intervention that he won the day. David succeeded in his mission because he had great ability with a sling and a stone. He knew he could slay Goliath because he done it to the lion and the bear. He was confident of his ability, his aim, and his strength to impart a deathblow via "a sling and a stone."

It is so for Christians in business. You will not succeed by character alone. You must develop the ability to succeed in business. You must become adept at business decision making, able to anticipate potential opportunities and problems and take advantage of them. You must learn how a business operates and gather knowledge about the market and industry within which you will do business. You must become skilled in the functions of a business: Planning; Marketing; Managing; Budgeting and Staffing.

At the end of his life it was said of David: And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them. (Psalm 78:72). David was successful because he had the right heart as well as the right abilities. Thus God was able to anoint him for success. With the right heart and the right abilities you too will find God’s favour upon your endeavours.

The Business Seminar Ministry

To this end I am conducting a seminar called Planning A Successful Small Business The purpose of this seminar is to impart to the participants Christian discipleship principles and business planning skills that will assist them to be successful in business to the glory of God and to the good of mankind. I recently spent two years in Zambia with Youth With A Mission conducting these seminars. I held 15 seminars in various cities and trained over 1,000 Christian business people. Many attested to the transformation in their lives and in their businesses after a seminar that combined Biblical teaching with business skill development.

The business seminar ministry is a ministry of threefold encouragement. Firstly, it encourages business people in the Christian faith and in godly character so that they will honor God first in business and not compromise the Christian faith for the sake of money. Secondly, it encourages Christians in business ability by providing helpful advice and training in small business skills. Finally, it encourages Christians in business to serve the purposes of God in business, further His kingdom through marketplace ministry and disciple their nation for Jesus Christ.

Seminar Objectives

1. To establish a Biblical foundation and framework for business planning that puts God and His kingdom purposes first.

2. To teach principles from Scripture that can be applied to the business planning process and will result in the advancement of the Kingdom of God as well as the profitability of the business.

3. To disciple Christian and pre-Christian business people in godly character in the conduct of their business activity.

4. To impart business planning skills that will teach business people to anticipate potential problems, discover potential opportunities, and operate successfully at a profit so as to accomplish goals that advance the Kingdom of God as well as generate income for material needs.

5. To assist business people to discover the purposes of God for them in business and to encourage business people to plan for the accomplishment of these purposes.

6. To empower existing and potential business people with knowledge that will encourage in them a sense of dignity and self worth through self-employment.

Seminar Method

The seminars are designed in a format that is simple, easy to understand and to remember. They also provide opportunity to apply lessons to a case study. Each chapter will begin with teaching on godly principles in business and end with practical steps for success in business.

I have identified twenty-one principles from the Bible that are consistent with Jesus’ call to radical Christian discipleship and I have applied them to business practice. These principles are taught first in the seminar to equip you with godly character (the fear of the Lord) so that you are teachable and able to receive all the knowledge you need, business wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7). The principles will be grouped into seven chapters -- seven representing the number of God.

From my education and my experience in starting and operating a small business I have identified a number of key business principles in planning, marketing, managing, budgeting and staffing. The business principles will be grouped into six chapters each containing six principles or steps to success -- six representing the number of Man.

The material in the seminars is introductory in nature and emphasizes the development of planning skills. The seminars do not provide much teaching in operational business skills. There are any numbers of institutions that can provide students with operational business skills such as bookkeeping or sales management.

Seminar Results

The seminars should help students to identify whether or not they are ready to start a business, review their present business activity, plan for the start up or expansion of a business, improve business decision making, avoid potential pitfalls in business practice, conduct business to the glory of God and extend the kingdom of God through their business activity to the good of the community.

Marketplace Ministry

One lady who runs a hair salon has commented to me about her experience after learning these principles. She said, "My attitude has completely changed and I am making more money, It’s amazing! Just like you said, it's also a ministry and things are working. Actually people are happy to find me here!"

So the message of the seminars should change the attitudes of Christians towards work and business from seeing it as the dull grind of making money to seeing it as an opportunity to minister God's love in the marketplace. This change not only impacts the business of the Christian but it has an effect on other businesses as well. When customers are "happy to find" the Christian business person, and that business starts doing well, non Christian business people start wondering what's up and examine the way in which they are doing business. In effect, the Christian who ministers in the marketplace is discipling that marketplace for Jesus.

Summary

In summary, if Christians in business are people of good character who desire to minister to their customers or community but they do not have business ability, their business will fail quickly. However, if they are people with questionable character but good business ability they may succeed in business for a while but sooner or later the business will fail because of a lapse of character. Therefore Christians in business need both the character and the ability to succeed in business and serve God’s purposes in the marketplace.

As a Christian in business you are uniquely positioned to impact your community and your nation for Jesus Christ. You can fulfil the great commission and disciple the nations. But you need the knowledge, the understanding and the vision to serve God's purposes in business. It is the purpose of these seminars to equip you with principles and skills that will enable you to serve God successfully in business. May God bless you and prosper you and cause you to succeed in business for His glory and for the good of your nation.

NOTES:

1. Zambia declares itself a Christian Nation; Declaration made at State House by President Fredrick Chiluba, Lusaka, Zambia, December, 1991. Text of the Declaration: "On behalf of the nation I have now entered into a covenant with the living God and therefore I want to make the following declaration. I say here today that I submit myself as President to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I likewise submit the government and the entire nation of Zambia to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I further declare that Zambia is a Christian nation, that will seek to be governed by the righteous principles of the word of God. Righteousness and justice must prevail in all levels of authority and we shall see the righteousness of God exalting Zambia. My fellow Zambians let this message reach all civil servants in all government departments. The time of corruption and bribery is over. For too long these wicked practices have been destroying and tearing down the nation. Now the hour has come for our building up. The hour has come for our stability. Proverbs 29:4 declares "Who is greedy for bribes tears down a nation, but by justice a king (or President) gives the country stability."

2. Remarks by Tony Blair after the May 1st British Election. " This was a vote for the future, not a vote for outdated dogma or ideology. It is a vote for the end of division, an end of looking backwards, a desire to apply the basic decent British values of common sense and imagination to the problems we all now face as a country." As quoted on Nando.Net website, May, 1997.

3. Does Government matter? The state is withering and Global Business is taking charge, Newsweek, June 26, 1995.

4. Merchant Prince, Billionaire Silvio Berlusconi may be Italy's next Prime Minister, Newsweek, March 21, 1994, p. 10

5. Berlusconi faces corruption charges, BBC World Report, February, 1995.

6. Christianity Today quotes Saint Augustine as declaring, "Business is in itself an evil." in Why the Devil takes Visa. Christianity Today, 38 p. 19-33. Oct 7, 1997.

7. Jimmy Pattison: The Man behind Expo ’86. Faith Today, September 1986, p. 31.

8. Alexander Hill, Just Business: Christian Ethics for the Marketplace. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1997), p.13.

9. "Hot new seminar reveals secrets of how to make more money in your small business." Advertisement in the Daily Courier, Kelowna, BC. June 3rd, 1997 p. A5.

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