Exalted by Faithfulness

Exalted by Faithfulness

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

Management - What is it?

Free enterprise is based upon the supposition that the individual has the freedom to choose what he will do, where he will do it and when he will do it. An independent spirit is what characterizes most entrepreneurs. The businessman is "his own boss". He has his ideas of what needs to be done and so he does better working for himself than for another person. To manage his own business and to take control of his life is the ambition of an entrepreneur. Under these circumstances, worldly success is defined as owning and operating a business and not having to account to anyone but himself for that business.

In contrast, the biblical concept of management is best summed up in one word: "stewardship". A steward is responsible to an owner for the care and maintenance of the owner's property. The steward is an employee of the owner and is accountable for the job that he does for the owner. The steward represents and acts in the owner’s interest not in his own interest. At the end of the day, the owner will call the steward to account and evaluate what he has done to promote the interests of the owner.

For example, in Zambia, the traditional owner of the land is the Chief. He appoints a Headman to look after the land in his interest. As long as the Headman acts in the interest of the Chief he remains in his position. If he is caught acting in his own interest and neglecting the interest of the Chief he will be removed from his position. So it is in God's economy, the Christian businessperson must act in God's interest if he is to truly succeed in the management of his business.

Well done! My faithful servant

The contrast between these two different concepts of management is illustrated in Jesus parable on the ten minas. Jesus tells the story of a landowner that entrusts his property to his servants when he goes on a trip to be made king. He gives each one a sum of money. Some people oppose his kingship. When he gets back he asks for an accounting of his property. The servants who earned a profit are praised; however, one servant makes an excuse when he has nothing to show for himself. The landowner rewards the faithful servants; but condemns the faithless servant. (See Luke 19:12-28).

In this parable, there are three types of people described. The first group are the ones who the master entrusts his property to and who faithfully discharge their responsibility. The second group are those who oppose the master being crowned the King over them. The third type of person is the one whom the master entrusted with his property but who did not faithfully discharge his responsibility.

Those who oppose the Master being crowned king are representatives of the people of the world today who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Those who do the Master's bidding represent Christians who believe that Jesus is Lord and who act like it. The one who does not do the Master's bidding is the "Christian" who says that he believes that Jesus is Lord, but who does not act like it.

Managing with God’s interest in mind

Sadly, some Christian business people are to be found in the group of people who say they believe Jesus is Lord but who do not live a life that demonstrates that belief. They manage their businesses not as stewards of God's property with God's interest in mind, but as worldly entrepreneurs with only their own interest in mind. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:21)

These Christians in business have received a trust, a measure of faith, that they have effectively "laid away in a cloth". They are like the last servant who sees the Master and his standard of conduct as "hard" and not in their own interest. Thus they spend their time fulfilling their own desires and leave what the Master has given them to do. When the Master calls them to account, they will attempt to blame the Master, but they will be found out and justice will prevail. Their end is assured: "And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"(Matthew 25:30).

Haggai the prophet called the nation of Israel to account because they served their own interest before that of the Lord. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. (Haggai 1:9). Some Christians in business expect much prosperity in their business but achieve very little. Why? God blows the business away with the breath of his mouth. He does it because they have neglected His interest to pursue their own interest. They build their own "house" while God's "house" lies in ruin. Let them build God's house. Let them seek his interest first. Let them pursue righteousness and justice in the conduct of their business affairs. Let them honor God with the first fruits of their prosperity. "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:8-10).

First Principles in Managing for Success

Managing for success, that is the true measure of success, relationship with God and with others is accomplished by fulfilling the trust that God has given to the Christian businessperson. "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."(1 Corinthians 4:2). To prove faithful, a Christian businessperson must abide by these biblical principles.

1. Faith works

The Christian businessperson has received a measure of faith from God. It is his "spiritual" capital and he is required to prove his faith by putting it to work. True saving faith will be evident in the deeds done by Christians in business. What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:14-18). Christian business people have much opportunity to do something about the evils and injustices in their communities. They have influence and purchasing power that can be put to use to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. God's interest is in the needy and oppressed, the poor and downtrodden in society.

For example, I know of a Christian maize farmer who was blessed with a good harvest during a time of drought. The local milling company offered to buy all his maize at the market rate in a single cash sale. He could have done very well to sell it to them but he refused to sell it. The milling company offered to pay an additional 20 percent cash but he still refused to sell it. Instead, he sold it by the bucketful to the local people who were suffering from the drought. He still got a good price for his maize but it took longer to sell it, thereby risking his inventory to blight, pest and theft. However, the people were able to purchase it in small quantities at a reasonable price rather than paying a very high price to the milling company for the maize and suffering hunger. The people knew that this man was a Christian and that he had their interest at heart in his decisions. It was a tremendous testimony for that Christian in business.

The sin that brought the downfall of Sodom was not just sexual sin. Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49) Christians in business who lack true saving faith become arrogant, overfed and unconcerned about the poor and needy.

Christian business people with true saving faith will work for their Master's interests by providing for the needy, as well as, earning a profit in their business. God requires that they share that profit with those who are less fortunate. The harvest may not come in increased dividends for their shareholders but it will be a harvest of righteousness. Managing for true success means putting faith to work for the glory of God and for the alleviation of suffering in the community.

2. Faith risks it all for righteousness

Christian business people who faithfully discharge their trust often do so at the risk of what they have. The first servant earned ten times what he was given or a 1,000 percent increase. What investment returns a 1,000 fold? A risky investment is only a good opportunity if it provides a very high return. Christian business people often risk their reputation and even their business for righteousness. Perhaps the only one who sees the Christian businessperson do right is God. Perhaps choosing what is right means giving up opportunity to profit. The faithful steward looks to the interests of his Master at the risk of his own interest.

For example, I know of a bakery business in which the owner is a Christian. He was visited by a tax officer to collect his monthly tax payment. When he showed the officer his revenue figure and the tax he had owing, the officer commented that it was too much and offered to take a lower amount if he gave him some cash. The Christian refused to do it and paid the right amount. Soon the tax auditors were called in to examine the Christian's books and generally harass him.

The Christian understood that there were other bakeries in the area that were paying a lot less tax. They did it by depositing cash revenue from taxable sources into the same account as revenue from non-taxable sources. Then they would over report the revenue from non-taxable sources such as second hand clothes and under report the revenue from taxable sources such as the sale of bakery goods. The corrupt tax officials would turn a blind eye to it because of the cash payments. However, the management at the head office of the tax authority would discover the scam, if the Christian continued to pay his fair share of taxes. His payments would stand out and questions would be raised about why this bakery was paying so much more tax than other similar bakeries.

As a result of his honesty, the corrupt tax officials harassed him. He also felt his physical safety was at risk from unscrupulous business people at the other bakeries who might want to eliminate this threat to their business. He risked his business and his very life for what was right.

Christian business people may be in a position of power and influence in their community. Not only does God require a stand for what is right, He also requires justice from those who are in positions of power. "God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgement among the ‘gods’: How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:1-4). God has entrusted His people with faith that they may effect justice upon the earth. His interest is in justice and Christian business people must use the power they have in their wealth to effect justice in their community. Often, this requires risking their own interest by pleading the causes of the poor and offending the interests of other business people. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. (Proverbs 29:7)

For example, in many countries the wages paid by business people to general labourers are usually very low. So low, in fact, that these people find it difficult to provide enough food for their families. Christians in business have the opportunity to do pay a just wage to their workers. However, it means paying these workers a higher wage than the market rate thus, putting pressure on other businesses in the market to meet the wage expectations of their employees. Such action will offend the interests of the rich who profit at the expense of their workers. Christians in business will feel "the heat" for doing what is just. Whatever the consequences are for their actions, whatever the threat is to their business, Christians in business must serve God's interest in the poor before they serve the market's interest in the rich.

In addition to risking it for what is right and just, Christ calls Christians in business to risk it for the sake of the gospel. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. (Mark 8:35).

Christians in business will find themselves the target of the wicked because by their faithful testimony, the sin and corruption of the wicked is exposed to the light. Persecution of Christians in business is not uncommon, especially in countries where the majority of people are of different faiths. Persecution is something to be expected for those who have true saving faith. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:20)

3. Faithful in a little, faithful with a lot

God is no man's debtor. He has an account for you in heaven. When you have done wrong for doing right, deposit it in that heavenly account and you will earn interest on it for eternity. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30).

The Christian business person who puts his faith to work and risks his interest for the interest of God will find that God will entrust him with greater things and that He will bless him abundantly. "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’" (Luke 19:17).

Faithful in a little will result in being faithful with a lot. The little things will show whether or not we can be trusted with greater things. These "little things" are usually matters of conscience. They are little because God is the only one who sees or knows what you have done. Being faithful in the little things by being true to God will test the character. God entrusts His blessing to those of good character who He knows will do with it what He wants done. The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. (1 Samuel 26:23a)

He will exalt the Christian who is faithful in business and give him success; whereas, he will humble the proud man in business with sudden disaster. Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. (Psalms 37:34)

For example, a Christian man once suffered bankruptcy. However, when he was able to get back into business he worked hard to pay all the debts he incurred in his bankruptcy. Because he was faithful in a little, God blessed his business and it is now the world's largest food processing company. The fellow's name was Henry J. Heinz. ¹

Summary

In summary, true success in managing a small business to the glory of God will come as the Christian business person puts his faith to work in his business to the good of the community and risks his interest for God's interest. Christians in business who serve God's interests first will say YES to: the Poor & Needy (Isaiah 58 & Matthew 25:34); the Widows & Orphans (James 1:27); the Alien & Refugee (Exodus 22:2 & Isaiah 16:3); a Neighbour (Luke 12:29-37); the Lost (Luke 15:4-7); the Children (Matthew 19:13-14); the Family (1 Timothy 5:8); the Church (Galatians 6:10); the Honest (Exodus 23:7); the Government (1 Timothy 2:1-2); God's name (Ezekiel 36:20); and God's house (Haggai 1:8).

Christians in business do not have to do it all. God never demands something from us that we cannot fulfil. God's desire is that Christians in business simply be willing to say YES to His interest before their own interest. A reporter once asked Mother Teresa, "How do you feed 100 million starving children? She replied, "One at a time."

As the Christian in business is faithful with the little that God has given him; he will be entrusted with greater things and greater blessing because God knows that he will be found faithful. In the end, the Christian businessperson who manages for true success longs to hear the approval of his Master: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

NOTES:

1. Peter Masters. Men of Purpose. Revised Edition. London: Wakeman Trust, 1989. Mr. Masters tells the story of how Henry J. Heinz went from bankruptcy to business success. pp. 23 - 36.

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