What is a Christian Business?

Happy New Year!!!

I know business owners have planned out (or at least tried to) the year or the first couple of months. I know I have. This post is a quick reminder that as we go about our businesses, we should not lose sight of Whom we represent.

What is a Christian Business? I think in this world of entrepreneurship, this may be a question many Christians have thought of. In my 2+ years of the current business I run, I have pondered on this severally. My goal was to have a ‘Christian Business’ , It took a while for me to distinguish between a secular business and a Christian business. Many Christians are business owners, few however, run their businesses as Christian businesses for several reasons.

To arive at a definition, I had to marry Colossians 3:17 with Colossians 3:23 –

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; – Colossians 3:23

The Enduring Word commentary explains both verses thus:

 Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus: The new man lives his life, all his life, for Jesus. He will only seek to do the things that he may do in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he will persevere in the difficulty of doing such things, knowing that he is doing them in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God: We are always tempted to work just as hard as we have to, thinking we only have to please man. But God wants every worker to see that ultimately, they work for Him. Therefore, they should do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. God promises to reward those who work with that kind of heart.

i. The Christian who is a dishonest, lazy or unreliable worker has something far worse to deal with than a reprimand from his earthly supervisor. His heavenly supervisor may prepare a reprimand as well.

Bearing that in mind, I would define a Christian Business as one that glorifies God in all ramifications. Glorifying God involves the following:

1. The business is another avenue of rendering service to God
2. Christ as the standard
3. Promoting the kingdom
4. Defending Biblical values irrespective of popularity and social acceptability
5. The mission, vision and objectives of the business are inspired by the Bible
6. Pointing people toward Christ

Bear in mind as a Christian that your business matters to God and should represent God as much as possible. Our lives in entirety should be service to God, this includes everything involved in our day to day living such as: eating, thinking, dressing, working, talking, relaxing, relationships and every other thing we do.

Are businesses owned by Christians christian businesses by default? Or should they be christian businesses by default? The obvious answer to this is a solid YES.

Christianity is a way of life, not something you put on and off as you please. I take this to mean that businesses owned by belivers in Christ have to check all of the criteria listed above. Colossians 3 in general talks about the behaviour of the ‘new man’. The ‘new man’ imitates Christ by doing all things for the glory of God… NO EXCEPTIONS!

Remember that, the devil wants you to believe that your businesses should be run as a separate entity from your faith. In all you do, let your light shine before men, there is way too much darkness in this world.

Innovation

When we hear innovation. Our minds usually wander towards big tech companies and so on. We think of computers, inventions and the rest.

It recently dawned on me that innovation does not have to so far away. Our everyday lives could use some innovation too.

How do you understand innovation? There is a definition by the UK department of innovation and skills which resonates

Innovation is the successful exploitation of new ideas

UK department of innovation and skills

The overall aim is to improve efficiency.

Innovation is introducing something new, like an idea, method and device.

Merriam- Webster Dictionary

The word ‘innovation’ is not in the Bible, however, the Bible is littered with examples of innovation and innovators. This lockdown period got me thinking about how I can be innovative in my home and my business.

I got a notebook to write out ideas as they come. From innovative ways to homeschool this period, innovative ways to evangelize, creating more family time to running my business.

Understand that innovation is not a modern concept. Here are some examples of innovation in the Bible:

1. God the creator. He created people in his own image (from dust). He created the earth. Genesis 1.

2. We see innovation in the shift from the old covenant to the new covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 9:15

3. We see a pattern of God constantly innovating the pattern through which he communicates with man. In the garden of Eden, He communed with man, later there came the era of judges, priests, kings, dreams, prophets. Right now we have the Bible and we can get to know God but studying diligently.

4. Noah’s ark. This must have been high level innovation in its time. Through this means, God preserved His own.

5. God’s decision to begin the nation of Israel through Abraham

6. We see Moses, Samson and even Gideon (among others) come up with various innovations in their time.

Here are a few questions to guide you as you figure this out:

1. Does your business/family life glorify God? In what ways have you honoured God?

2. How can you improve on this?

3. Identify areas where you went wrong in the past? how can you turn things around?

4. Pray. You need God’s direction. Just like he guided Moses, Gideon and Paul to accomplish their own tasks.

5. Faith. Faith is action! Faith helps you carry out whatever vision God gives you. I read somewhere that Faith honours God and God honours faith. Such a lovely perspective.

Christianity does not hinder creativity, we have the Holy Spirit who is an innovator. He was there in the beginning and abides with us today. God has given us talents and gifts, these are sacred! Use them to develop ideas that profit your family and business life.

God is always doing something new. Isaiah 43:19

Innovation is not an excuse for sin. Permitting things God does not permit is not innovation.

Be creative, let your creativity draw people to Christ, let the work of God be advanced through your creativity and overall let God be glorified.