Purpose beyond Profit

Understanding Your Purpose in Business

Purpose beyond Profit

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

(Chapter Two from Planning A Successful Small Business Seminar)

Your Purpose in Business -
What is it?

In the first chapter, true success was defined as eternal relationship with God and with others. This is not the definition of success that is emphasized in most business schools or seminars. That type of success is primarily concerned with monetary profit, increased production, and achievement of business goals. Business people want success in these areas not just to have the money or to achieve the goals but because they want to have happiness for themselves and for their families. However, very often they find that material success and accomplishment cannot bring them happiness. As the Teacher in Ecclesiastes discovered: Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

Happiness only comes when we are in right relationship with God and with others in our lives. Happiness is a result of a sense of fulfilment, of personal satisfaction, knowing that we have done something worthwhile, purposeful and meaningful. God is the one who gives purpose and meaning to our accomplishments. So if we truly want to succeed we must discover what God has in mind for us -- His purpose for us -- as we work toward the accomplishment of our business goals.

The Will of God for Christians in Business

The Bible teaches that God has a purpose and a plan for His creation. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1:11). As it is true that God has an overall purpose so it is true that he has specific purposes for you and I. If God has something in mind for Christians in business, what is it? What is the will of God for Christians in business?

This is an important question for the Christian in business. It is important for three reasons. The first reason is that of direction. It is important in business to know where one is going with the business. That is why this presentation places much emphasis on planning, setting goals, and evaluating business progress.

At the outset, a businessperson must choose the direction that he will move to accomplish his business goals. It is very important for Christians in business that they make right choices with regards to the direction of their businesses. They need to start their businesses on the right foot (right practices), in the right way (right directions) and with the right attitude (right values). Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13).

Christians in business often blindly follow the wrong practices, ways and values of other worldly business people as they learn to operate their businesses. Knowing the will of God for Christians in business will help them to start on the right road to true success.

Secondly, it is important for the Christian to know what the will of God is for him in business so that he can understand what his proper role is in his church and in the community. The church has high expectations for its members who are business people. They look to business people as the ones who will carry the financial burden of the church. They also look to business people as the ones who will provide leadership and administrative skills in the church. This can be quite problematic when the businessperson is not operating his business in accordance with God's will. This is so especially if it is discovered that the business tithes were generated dishonestly or if there is a moral failure on the part of the businessperson in leadership because his Christian commitment is weak. So it is important for the Christian to know his role so that he can assume his proper place in the church and the community.

Thirdly, it is important for the Christian to know what the will of God is for him in business because God has something for the Christian to accomplish in business. The Christian will not accomplish it unless he understands what God has in mind for him.

There is another reason that is really a summation of these three reasons and it has to do with the whole question of meaning and purpose in our lives. Why are we here? Why has God created us? What is our reason for living? Our sense of worth, our sense of fulfilment in life derives from an answer to these fundamental questions.

God has an answer to these questions. He has a purpose and a reason for us to live. It is why he gave his only begotten Son to redeem us from the curse of sin and death so that we might have eternal life. God did not see Jesus sacrificed on the cross so that the Christian businessperson would be a part time Christian because he is a full time businessperson or so that his only reason for being is to be a source of funds and skills to the church.

God sent his Son to die for us so that we might live for Him. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15). How? How are we to live for Him in this world, in the business and professional world, in the daily grind of business and work, in the competing demands and conflicts that we face every day, every hour, even every moment? How does God want the Christian to live for Him and what is His Will for the Christian in business?

Unlearning the Patterns of This World

In attempting to answer this question I want to say firstly what I think is NOT the will of God for the Christian in business. The Bible says, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2).

Before Christians can learn what God's will is for them in business, they must first UNlearn the patterns and ways of the world that influence their thinking about business. I liken it to a train travelling on a track. Habits of thinking and worldly ideas set the direction and business people follow along the track of those thoughts and ideas until the train is derailed by some unfortunate incident. Christians in business need to switch tracks in their thinking about business if they are to achieve true success in business.

Not Riches

Firstly, Christians in business need to switch off of the track called: RICHES. I define riches as money, profits and property. Business people travelling on the track of riches put money first. It is the way of business in the world. For the Christian in business who travels this way there will be a derailment sooner -- broken relationships -- or later -- I never knew you, away from me you evildoer. (Matthew 7:23). To switch from this track we need to know what is NOT God's will for the Christian in business.

I. Not to Make Money

Firstly, I believe it is NOT God's will for the Christian to make money in business. "What?" you say, "Not make money? How can it be that it is NOT God's will for me to make money? How do I survive in business unless I make some money? How do I pay the bills? How do I feed my family? What is my business worth to me if I don't make money? You are crazy!" I am not crazy because I believe in Jesus and Jesus makes it very clear that it's not the Christian who is the source of provision for the business, the family, the church, the bills or what ever else. Jesus says "Look at the birds of the air they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"(Matthew 6:26).

When the farmer plants his seeds, is it he who makes the corn grow? No. Then who is it? God makes the seeds grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6) Just as it is not the farmer who makes the seeds grow neither is it the Christian who makes the money happen in business. The money happens because God provides it not because the Christian makes it. I know business people who have tried to make it happen and it just did not happen. Sometimes there is very little correlation between effort and the final result. There are just too many uncertainties that are out of our control that can influence the result. God is the one who is in control and has complete influence over the result. (Proverbs 19:21) That is why Jesus teaches us to pray: "Give us each day our daily bread." (Luke 11:3).

Certainly, it is important for the Christian to give his work his best effort. It is equally important, though, for him to understand that God is the source of his increase and not just his hard work. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... (Deuteronomy 8:17-18a). (See also Psalm 44:1-8.)

Thus because it is not the Christian who makes it happen it is NOT God's will for the Christian to make it happen! God makes it happen and He has something else in mind for the Christian other than just trying to make it happen in business. The book of James states: Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15).

II. Not to Pursue Profit

I also believe that it is NOT God's will for the Christian to pursue profit in business. Profit is the money that is left over at the end of the business cycle after the business has paid all the bills and the taxman. "What?" you say. "Not pursue profit? Why, that's the very purpose of business activity. Everyone knows that the bottom line is the most important thing in business. All the books I have ever read about business tell me business exists for profit? Without profit the business would stop functioning. How can you say it is NOT God's will for me to pursue profit?" It is true that most business texts state that the profit motive is the purpose for business activity. Success in Commerce states "The purpose of business activity is to make a profit by supplying goods and services to customers."¹

How then can one say that God does NOT want business people pursuing profit? Let me use an illustration to make the point.² The body needs blood to exist. Without blood the body would die. But the body does not exist for the blood. There are more important things for the body to do than just to produce blood. So it is in business, the business needs profit to thrive but the business does not exist for the sake of profit. Profit is a means to an end just as blood is a means to the proper function of the body.

Just as there are nobler purposes for the body than to produce blood; in business there are nobler purposes for business activity than to just produce a profit. Profit is the means by which the business accomplishes certain business or personal objectives. Thus the purpose of business activity is to accomplish these business and personal goals: such as providing a better life for one's family; producing a quality product or service; providing good value to the customer and building and strengthening communities through just business practice and increased employment.

A very rich man once was asked: "How much is enough?" His reply reflected his heart attitude towards the pursuit of profit in business. He said, "Just a little bit more." The Bible says, Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

In contrast, the Christian in business should reflect an attitude of contentment with respect to profits and wealth. Paul says to those eager to get rich: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (1 Timothy 6:8).

God's will for the Christian in business is NOT for him to pursue profit for the sake of his own self interest and gain, but rather, to be content with what he has and use it to meet his needs and to glorify God.

III. Not to Own Property

Lastly, I believe that it is NOT God's will for the Christian to own property in business. "What?" you say, "not own property?" "Of course, I am to own property. How will my business function if I do not own the means to produce or the place in which to produce it? How can you say it's not God's will for me to own property?"

The simple fact from Scripture is that the Christian ultimately does not own the property that he has in his possession. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1). ...For the world is mine, and all that is in it. (Psalm 50:12). 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:8).

When one buys a house one receives a title deed listing oneself as the owner of the house. But if one needs a loan to purchase the house, the bank that gives the loan holds the title deed. If one does not have the means to pay the full amount of the loan except by selling the house then who really owns the house? The one who holds the title deed, the bank. So it is with Christians in Scripture. Paul says, "you are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20). God who is our Creator and who is our Redeemer lays total claim to our lives and to all that we have in our possession. He is the one who holds the title deed and there is no way the Christian can pay back the debt he has outstanding to him on account of his sin: the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough. (Psalm 49:8).

Thus it is NOT the will of God for the Christian to own property in business because the Christian does not own it. Whatever he thinks he owns is God's by the double right that He created it and that He redeemed it by the sacrifice of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

God before Riches

So if it is NOT God's will for the Christian businessperson to make money, NEITHER is it for him to pursue profit, NOR is it for him to own property, then what is the Christian doing in business? Why does God want him in business?

God is not against the Christian having money or profiting from his business activity or having material things in his possession. The Bible says, Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. (Deuteronomy 25:4). It also says, the worker is worth his keep. (Matthew 10:10).

The problem for the Christian in business is a problem of his heart attitude towards wealth. It is not "money" that is the root of all evil, but the LOVE of money: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (I Timothy 6:10a).

God's concern is what is first in a businessperson's life. If making money is first, if gaining profit is first, if material ownership is first in his life then that is most certainly NOT His will. The will of God for the Christian in business is that the Christian put Him first before all the other things and activity and when the Christian does God will provide all that is necessary for the Christian to succeed materially in business. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus ends his lesson on material possessions with the words, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33).

I once read a news story about the planet Jupiter. Scientists were predicting that a comet would hit the planet. Let me quote a line from the article: "But luckily, the comet, which is broken in pieces, will smash into Jupiter some 800m Kilometres away from Earth..."³ When I first read this I did not see the little "m" after the 800. So it read to me that Jupiter was 800 Kilometres away from Earth! Now what would it be like living on Earth with Jupiter 800 Kilometres away? The terrible gravitational force of the largest planet in the Solar System would tear Earth apart. There would be great disorder in our life under such an influence.

So it is with the influence of money on our lives. If money is put first in our lives it will tear us apart. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10). There are a lot of people in the marketplace eager for money, especially now that there is so little of it around. Many business people are eager for money, in their eagerness they sacrifice their marriages, their families, their friends and their faith to get it. And when they get it they still want more. But in the end they lose it all. Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labour that he can carry in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15).

The will of God for the Christian in business is for the Christian to put Him first in his life and in his business. Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24).

So God wants the Christian in business to serve Him NOT money. The business person who serves God and NOT money in business is generous to the needy (1 Timothy 6:18); pays fair wages to his employees (Colossians 4:1); is patient with those who owe him money (1 Thessalonians 5:14); pays his bills promptly (Romans 13:8); makes regular repayments on his business and personal loans (Psalm 37:21); provides a quality product at a reasonable price (Proverbs 16:11); guarantees his work (1 Corinthians 4:2); refuses to pay or accept bribes (Exodus 23:8); pays his fair share of taxes (Matthew 17:27); settles fiscal disputes quickly (Matthew 5:25); and is willing to suffer a loss of money to maintain relationship and do what is right (Matthew 18:23-25).

Such a person has it all in the right perspective. He does not worry about making money because he trusts that his heavenly Father will provide for him. He is not so much interested in the profit he is making as he is in the product and the result of his business activity. He holds his material possessions loosely, and considers himself fortunate to be blessed by God with material things. Does this description reflect your heart attitude towards money? If it does not then you need to rethink the reasons why you are in business.

Jesus said to Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" As a Christian in business your answer should be the same as Peter's. "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Does Jesus know that you love him more than riches? (John 21:15).

Not Just Religion

If it is God’s will for the Christian in business to serve Him and not money then how is one expected to serve Him? Christians in business who have switched from the track called RICHES often find themselves running on another track called: RELIGION. They believe that to please God they must do certain things such as give money to the church, do their duty in the church and serve as elders or deacons; and generally be a good person. However, Christians in business running on this track will be derailed by wrong priorities just as easily as they will by an unhealthy pursuit of wealth.

I. Not Just Tithes

When asked, Christians in business, often reply that the reason they think God wants them in business is so that they can give money to the church. It is important for Christians in business to be generous and to tithe. Unfortunately, it seems that the only time the Church pays attention to its business people and directs some teaching towards them is when it is looking for an increase in tithes and offerings. No wonder the businessperson has the mistaken notion that all God wants out of him is his money. An undue emphasis by the church on business people levels of tithing pushes them back onto the track of pursuing riches, maybe not for the sake of themselves but now for the sake of the church.

The principal reason that God wants Christians in business to give is NOT so that the church can be funded. The principal reason for them to give is to honor God. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. (Proverbs 3:9). If you love someone, you will demonstrate that love by honouring him or her. The Hebrew definition of the word "HONOR" means to "weigh heavy." Christians in business who love God will "weigh heavy" their relationship with God by being generous to Him. The value that you place on your relationship with God will show in your giving to Him. Does it?

II. Not Just Duty

Another reason business people often believe as to why God wants them in business is that of doing one's duty whether in the church or in the community. Business people are skilled and they have a lot to offer to the church or community organizations. Often they are called upon to serve as volunteers in position of community leadership.

To serve in these positions business people make sacrifices of time, money and effort. They work hard at their business during the day and then they are called on to be at meetings and other church gatherings during the evening. They sacrifice time with their family and with God to do their duty. They think that because the church is pleased with their sacrifice that they are serving God in it.

Sacrifice is no substitute for relationship. God is primarily concerned with relationship. Certainly, business people can serve the local church or community but not at the cost of relationship in their family or with God. As David says, You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17).

III. Not Just Good Deeds

One more reason that Christians often venture for why God wants them in business is that of doing good deeds. They think that by giving to the needy, volunteering their time, or being good that they are doing what God wants them to do.

It is important for Christians in business to be rich in good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). However, it is also important for business people to examine why they are doing the good deeds. Is it so that men will see them or is it done to earn God’s favor? Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4).

I once filled in for a prominent businessman who was scheduled to speak at a fund raising dinner for a church. He was unable to make it so I had to take his place as the speaker. When I arrived at the event I was shown to the place where the guest speaker was to sit. It was at the head table in a large chair that was raised above the rest of the tables. It was the most prominent place at the event. I graciously declined to sit in it. I wondered though why it was necessary to have such a place. Perhaps the attention given to the guest speaker was a motivating factor for him to be involved in the event. Anyone who is motivated by this type of attention has already received his reward.

Sometimes, fund raising committees will approach prominent business people to fund their building campaign by offering to name the building after that person if they give a substantial donation. Again, the businessperson that accepts such recognition has already received his reward.

Christians in business must not look for recognition from other people but from their heavenly Father when they do good deeds. Good deeds done in secret reflect a sincere motive to please God and not others. God will reward those who desire to please Him first.

God before Religion

Christians in business who seek to impress God or others through religious activity will be disappointed. If their service to God is done with a heart attitude of self-exaltation, there will be no reward for them. Again, God is not against religious activity if it is done with the right heart attitude. Too often though people fall into the trap of trying to impress others or God with their religious activity. No amount of religious activity will ever impress God. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6).

In everything, whether it is earning an income or doing a good deed, God must be put first. He must be the one who will receive the glory. Our heart attitude must be that we do it as an act of worship, an act of love for God just as Paul says in Romans: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1).

Just Relationship

Martha was busy in the kitchen while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. She got upset with Mary and demanded that Jesus tell her to help in the kitchen. "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42).

Christians can get very busy in their business earning an income or doing good, but Jesus knows what is best: relationship. Only when Christians in business switch from the track of RICHES and from the track of RELIGION onto the track of RELATIONSHIP will they truly discover what God's will is for them in business.

The fuel that runs the train on the track of RICHES is greed. The fuel that runs the train on the track of RELIGION is pride. Greed and pride are of the world and Christians in business must repent of the greed and the pride that motivates them if they are going to understand their true purpose in business and fulfil it.

When we face God on the day of judgement His first question to us is NOT going to be "How much money did you make in business?" nor is it going to be "How many good things did you do in business?" His first question to us will be "Did you learn to love?" The fuel that runs the train on the track of RELATIONSHIP is love.

The track of RELATIONSHIP has two rails: the first is called righteousness, the second is justice The Bible says: The LORD loves righteousness and justice. (Psalm 33:5a).

Christians in business who are running on the track called RELATIONSHIP will do what is right because they love God and they will do what is just because they love others. Love thinks of the other person first, neither what I can get from them but what I can give to them; nor how can I impress them with my good works or self-righteousness but how can I serve them.

Seek First the Kingdom of God

Jesus says seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) The Kingdom of God can be defined as the rule of God in the hearts of His people. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord... (1 Peter 3:15a). When the Christian serves God in his business, the Christian will allow Him to rule his life and his business.

Jesus is Lord. He is the Lord of your life and He is Lord of your business. He is not some judge who sits over you to see if you passed the test today, but He is your King, the one to whom you have pledged to be loyal. (Matthew 21:5) He is not the Referee who rules what you did in or out, He is the Captain, the one whom you follow, who leads you into battle. (Joshua 5:14) Just as a soldier does what pleases his Captain so you are to seek to do in business and through business what pleases Jesus.

In the Lord's Prayer Jesus teaches us to pray: Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10). As Jesus is Lord over the business and all business decisions are submitted to Him and subject to His will, this prayer is answered and God's Kingdom really does come on earth in the Christian person's business.

The foundation of the Kingdom of God is righteousness and justice. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. (Psalm 89:14a). As the Christian businessperson establishes a standard of righteousness in their business conduct and as they promote justice in their business affairs, the Kingdom of God is extended through that business.

Job's Example

Job was a wealthy businessman. He suffered great misfortune but not because of his sin. In the end, God vindicated his name. Job describes his reputation as a business person: Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. (Job 29:11-14).

In those days, business people would wear their wealth so that people could see it. Like today, they would wear expensive clothes and head coverings. When others saw them coming, they would know that this was a man of wealth.

Yet when people saw Job, instead of seeing his wealth, they saw righteousness and justice. The dying man blessed Job because he knew that Job would take care of his wife and children. The widow would rejoice even in her distress because Job would not leave her without assistance.

Christians in business need to be seen as men and women of righteousness and justice who use their wealth, position and influence to "rescue the poor" and "assist the needy." It pleases God greatly to see a businessperson walk in righteousness and do justice. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8).

A Mission & A Message from God

God has specific things in mind for the Christian in business that has to do with righteousness and justice. I remember an old TV show called Mission Impossible. At the start of the program one saw a tape machine, on the message it started with the words, "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to..." I believe that God has a specific mission for the Christian in business. If the Christian seeks Him for it, He will reveal it to him. As a businessperson, the Christian can be God's agent in the affairs of men to effect righteousness and justice upon the earth. The Christian is God's representative, His ambassador into the world and into the world of business and industry. (2 Corinthians 5:20) What specific mission does He have in mind for you in business: in telecommunications, in catering, in farming, in pharmacy, in transport, perhaps even in politics?

God had Moses make some special clothes for Aaron so that Aaron would have "dignity and honor" before the people. (Exodus 28:2) Dorcas, a seamstress and member of the early church, had a reputation for doing good and helping the poor. (Acts 9:36-42) Many people suffer because they are poor and they do not have proper clothes. Perhaps God's purpose for you in business as a tailor or seamstress is to make clothes that will give people a sense of dignity and honor.

As the Good Samaritan was passing by, he noticed the man in the ditch and he did something about it. (Luke 10:33) School children in rural locations outside of the major towns in Africa wait for hours at the side of the road for a ride to take them to school. They do not have the fare for the mini bus and they are not in the right place for it to stop. Perhaps God's purpose for you in business as a transport operator is to pick those school children and get them to school without charge as a service to your community.

Both Joseph (Genesis 41:41) and Daniel (Daniel 2:48) were instrumental in discipling a nation for God. God sovereignly appointed them to positions of great influence because they were men of character whom he was able to trust and use to save the people of Israel.

Righteousness and justice are the platform from which Christians in business can effectively share the message of the gospel. People listen to men and women who promote righteousness and justice in the community. There is authority in their words and many people can be won to Christ and a nation can be influenced for God through Christians in business whose mission matches their message.

First Principles for True Success in Business

In application, for the Christian in business to be truly successful and fulfil God’s purpose in business, he must abide by these two principles.

1. Serve God first in business not money.

Remember the words of Jesus: No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24). The Christian businessperson must make a conscious deliberate decision to serve God, if he is to truly succeed. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day who you will serve... But for me and my household we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15b).

2. Serve the interests of others in business as you would serve your own interests.

This is a paraphrase of Jesus' statement, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew. 7:12) Paul exhorts us to consider others interests as well as our own: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4).

A Christian Businessperson who implemented these principles in his business discovered the benefit of practicing his faith in the marketplace. He had hired some general labourers to prepare the maize field for planting. After the fields were prepared, he found that he was having difficulty finding the money to pay his workers. Most maize farmers would have told the workers to wait until the harvest before they could be paid. However, as he thought about what he was going to do, these principles came to mind. He knew that if he did not pay his workers for the work they had done that he would be serving his own interest at the expense of the interest of the workers. So he found the money and paid the workers even though it meant difficulty for him personally. The next month he sent the workers home because he was unable to afford to pay them. When it came time to harvest the crop he was afraid that he would not be able to find the workers to help him. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find the orkers ready and able to work for him again. The workers knew that this businessman could be trusted because he had paid them at a time when many other workers on other farms had not been paid. The workers did their job well and the businessman was blessed with a good crop; whereas, other farmers suffered from the loss of their crop due to theft by their workers!

Summary

God has a will and a purpose for the Christian in business. It is important for the Christian to know His will so that he can choose the right direction for his business and understand the role that he is to play in his community. It is important to God for the Christian to know His purposes because He has something in mind for the Christian to be and to do in business. It is not His will that the Christian serve money in business. Nor does He want the Christian in business to be religious. He wants the Christian to serve Him in relationship and He wants the Christian to effect His righteousness and His justice in his business and through his business so that the Kingdom of God is established and advanced upon the earth. Abiding by the above first principles for success in business will enable the Christian to discover God’s purpose for him in business and to accomplish it.

NOTES:

1. Anderson, Lorna and Lobley, Derek. Success in Commerce, Zimbabwe Edition. Harare: Academic Books, 1992. p.150.

2. I owe this illustration to Don Flow of Flow Motors in North Salem, North Carolina. Serving God From 9 to 5: Issues of Christians in the Marketplace by R. Paul Stevens & Donald E. Flow. An AudioTape Series from Regent College.

3. Comet dates Jupiter. Times of Zambia. May 20th, 1994.

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