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Business for what end?
Written by Bruce Bader
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Is business either a means to an end, for example opening for evangelism, or an end in itself, to bring salt and light? Either perspective can be held by a Kingdom person but for the kingdom business person the question of, “Why am I in business not out starting churches or working as a pastor?” may continually haunt. Let us assume for this article that this person is a Christian and recognizes that God is the ultimate owner of the business. Let’s also assume that the business person is a good leader, which includes treating employees and customers with respect and dignity. But why be in business why not go into social work or any other nonprofit work? Many have postulated that going into business should be as much a call as going into a professional ministry like being a church leader or a professional helper like being a social worker1. But to what does God call business people? I would like to propose a variety of callings that can all fit the roll of Kingdom business.
First let’s understand that the non-kingdom perspective is that skill (a learned ability), talent (naturally endowed ability) and luck (a randomly acquired ability) are all a matter of chance or individual drive which lead to the measure of success2. Those who focus on the first source, a learned ability, generally believe that business as an end in itself. Their goal is to be successful to show others that they have acquired abilities. Those who focus on the last two, talent or luck, usually believe the purpose of business is a means to achieve success. Their goal is not to demonstrate how “lucky” they are but to enjoy the fruits of their success3. The problem with these beliefs is that they frequently lead to frustration when success is achieved followed by significant failure4.
A third view is that business itself is a way to worship by utilizing talents God has given to you5. This requires a specific and recognized acquiescence and reliance on God to sustain the skills, talent and good fortune. It also requires the Kingdom business person to answer the “means or ends” question based on a different set of criteria. The question is reframed as, “is the business a means of glorifying God or an end in itself of glorifying God?” It may appear a subtle difference but it does affect your business structure and plans. To reword the question, “Do you enter into business to gain resources to promote the Kingdom or is the business itself a way of promoting the Kingdom?” I believe that there are twelve possible options to answer that question, all of which are viable for the kingdom business person. But just like choosing a competitive priority the business person must focus on one as their main option. The way you answer that question hinges on where you work ministry into your plan and in what category you see your strengths.
For me it is easier to make a matrix of the options for how to view categories of business ministry and levels of involvement for a Kingdom business person6. This matrix is below; across the top are categories of businesses. Tent making is generally a business that is supportive of ministry but separate from that. Business for missions is generally a business that is supportive and involved with missions but still maintains separate business goals. Business as missions is generally more than involved but has blurred line between the business and the mission. The ministry directly affects decisions. Finally Christian micro-enterprise is ministry first and business as the outgrowth. The ministry is developed first then a business is developed around that ministry. In the first three options the business can stand alone without the ministry but not so with the Christian micro-enterprise. It would, by definition, collapse without the ministry. So one who has a money making gift but can not run a ministry may choose to be in business for tent making. Another circumstance may be a person in a large corporation, which is not interested in business for or as mission.
Down the side are the three levels of working ministry into your business plan. The first is basic, which means an elementary level of commitment or involvement. The second level is tactical, which means that the ministry is considered when making day-to-day business decisions. The third level is strategic, which means that the ministry is considered when making long term plans like organizational strategies7.
Types of Kingdom Businesses
Tent making
Business For Mission
Business As Mission
Christian
Micro-enterprise
Basic
Business first and
using available resources for ministry
Business develops
resources for ministry in addition to developing wealth
The business
operations is integrally involved in ministry
Christians loaning
money to other Christians to get a business started
Tactical
Ministry first and
using the business to generate resources
Business primarily
develops resources for ministry as part of normal operations
Tactical operations
are uniquely influenced by ministry
Looking for and
participating in venture capital businesses with a kingdom influence
Strategic
Planned, long-term
business developed to allow for ministry
Business strategic
plan is to exclusively develops resources for ministry
Ministry is an
integral part of the strategic plan
Participating in
businesses that have both physical and spiritual effects on the stakeholders
I propose that we each consider our calling and see where God would have each fit into the matrix of kingdom business types. The person involved in any of the 12 options of kingdom businesses above should not feel superior or inferior to any other but must recognize that they are in a different calling than other Kingdom business persons. Of course in the body of Christ it is hard to imagine that an effective kingdom outreach could exist without all 12 of these. In order to help you get some perspective on each body part I have included the same matrix but replaced the definitions with examples of which I am aware.
Tent making
For Mission
As Mission
Christian
Micro-enterprise
Basic
Many U.S.A. companies
have matching gifts to charitable causes.
Petersen's Trucking
where they tithe the company's profits.
A wood working
business that allows the poor to take the sawdust from the process and sell
it.
Sewing machines for
Ghana
that allows for Christians to give people Biblical friendly employment
Tactical
African Enterprise
has Foxfire ministry in which men go into the African countryside and seek
jobs to support their mission work.
Le Tourneau
Industries where business became the primary source of money for a
ministry.
Chick-fil-A closing
their restaurants on Sunday where tactical business decisions are made based
on Biblical principles.
Organizations like
Jubilee Centre that look for and invest in kingdom businesses
Strategic
Early Moravian
missionaries to Tobago sold them selves into
servitude to minister.This is
different from tactical because it was long-term.
U.S. Plastics where
God is the owner and all profits go to ministry.
Service Master has
a "serving God" statement as part of their strategic plan or
mission of the business.
Greeting cards
business in Africa that employs anyone but
provides for physical as well as spiritual needs.
Notes and References:
1. See chapters 6-10 of Life @ Work by Maxwell, Graves and Addington.
2. I have written a previous paper on defining success for the kingdom business person. In this context I am using a more traditional definition of increased wealth and value.
3. There may be some intermixing of the two perspectives but in the end there appears to be two goals of business to demonstrate accomplishment and/or to enjoy the fruits of accomplishment.
4. Bible Proverbs chapter 4 verses 14 through 19. As I write this the governor of the State of New York has recently resigned in disgrace following a scandal with a prostitute. “The wicked path leads to destruction and they do not even know why”
5. See the Exodus story from the Bible chapter 31 see particularly verses 1 through 6 the mentions Bezaleel and Aholiab as persons specifically gifted in understanding, knowledge and workmanship.
6. Here I used the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism for developing the categories of business missions. The three levels are original to me.
7. I realize that many business persons do not do significant strategic planning but I will not spend the time here to discuss the aspects of strategic planning. I recommend getting a book on the topic, attending a class at a local college or finding a consultant who will give you insights into strategic planning.
This article was originally posted on Scruples.net and republished with Bruce Bader's permission.
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