Kingdom Businesses Exist for More Than Just Money
By David Kahle/ biblicalbusiness.com
It is so easy to think of a business as just a vehicle to make money. That is the message the world sends out, and most people accept. That view of a business, however, ranks high on the list of Satan’s greatest deceits.
As businesspeople, we often define our success by an increase in sales and profits. While there is nothing wrong with that, if we focus exclusively on that, we limit the potential of the business. It is like trying to grow an apple tree in a pot inside your home. There is just not enough light and air to produce an abundant harvest.
When we limit our concept of a kingdom business to just making money, we severely limit its potential to be a force in the world.
The Bible notes at least 10 purposes(benefits) of a Kingdom business.
1. A business can be a vehicle for the accumulation of wealth.
There is nothing wrong, per se, with accumulating wealth. Note the parable of the bags of gold, where the worthy servant was rewarded for increasing the master’s wealth. The servant didn’t give it away, nor did he squander it on a richer lifestyle. Instead, he focused on increasing the master’s wealth. The master rewarded him with a larger area of responsibility and a closer relationship with him.
Think of Abraham, who is regarded as the epitome of faith and obedience. His business was large enough that he was able to assemble “318 trained men born in his household.” (Gen 14:14) . His business probably consisted of hundreds, if not thousands, of employees/servants.
2. A business provides economic security to the employees and stakeholders.
While God is the ultimate provider, He does so through worldly means. And a business is one of those means. A successful business provides the means of economic sustenance for the employees and stakeholders and thereby is a conduit for God’s providence and blessings.
3. A business shapes the next generation of leaders.
Almost all the major characters in the Bible were raised in a business environment, and had their characters shaped by that experience. Think of Isaac and Jacob, who were raised in their fathers’ households. Or Saul, who was on a business project when he was called to be Israel’s first king. Or David, who was employed in his father’s business when he was called. Or, even Jesus, who spent his formative years in his father’s carpentry business.
A business, with its tasks, hierarchy and accountability, provides valuable lessons for the next generation of leaders.
4. A business can provide a unifying bond for families.
While much is said these days about work-like balance, the scriptures present a different perspective. A business in the Bible wasn’t something separate from the family — it was the families’ occupation. The kids grew up in the family business, added their energy to it, and reaped the benefits of that. While it may be difficult in today’s corporate age to duplicate that level of engagement, the opportunities still exist to integrate family members into the business and so, instead of balancing between work and family, bring the family into the work.
Visualize family meals where the topic of conversation is business, as opposed to the latest social media trends. Imagine kids who watch the family’s provider at work and learn from him/her.
5. A business can provide the venue for the application of spiritual gifts.
In the Bible’s first recorded instance of spiritual gifts, Joseph used the gift of interpreting dreams to vault to the top of what may have been the largest business enterprise in the world – Pharoah’s grain distribution business.
And Bezalel likely nurtured his gift of craftsmanship – working with gold, silver and bronze – in a business before being selected by God to make the decorations for the Tabernacle.
The constant interaction with customers and vendors as well as the close relationships that typically develop in a business provide a fertile field for spiritual gifts to touch people.
6. A business can develop character among its employees.
Not only does a business act as a fertile training ground for future leaders, but everyone can grow sound characters by being guided by the values and goals of a business and held accountable for adherence to them.
7. A business can impact the community for good.
All the way back to the days of the Egyptian captivity, it was a couple of midwives who impacted the community and were rewarded with growing businesses.
In our age, Christian companies can, and have, made an impact beyond their customer base. Think of Hobby Lobby pursuing and winning a court case that has created a more holy atmosphere for everyone.
The work of the business can provide benefits for the community at large, as well as the customers and vendors it serves.
8. A business can create and manage larger giving and serving projects.
As an individual, we can work at a soup kitchen. A business can create and organize the soup kitchen. By virtue of its potential to assemble money and people it can create a more powerful impact than an individual can.
9. A business can provide a community to facilitate the gospel.
The New Testament contains several examples of the head of a business committing to follow Christ and the entire household – employees, family, servants and slaves, followed that lead. Businesses often became one of the locations for small group Christian meetings.
10. A business can grow the faith of the owners and key employees.
I have often said ”If you want to grow closer to God, start a business” There is something about the constant press of decisions, the impact of those decisions, and the accountability that attaches to them that leads a business owner, and those employees who are invested in the success of the business, to go to God for guidance and assistance when things don’t go well.
Indeed, one of the key strategies of a Kingdom business is to work at staying close to God and allow him to be the general manager and chief consultant to the business.
Those business owners and key employees who embrace the functions of a business above and beyond just making money will unleash their organizations to fulfil their potential to grow, succeed and make a mark on the world.