0
0
Chapter 4
THE FUNCTIONS OF A BUSINESS
What Is A Christian Business?
A BUSINESS IS A LEGAL entity, such as a corporation, partnership, or proprietorship, and has no spirit or soul. It should, however, reflect the values of the principal owners or managers. It is the reflection of these values that determines whether or not a business is labeled Christian or non-Christian.
If the owner of a particular business has made the decision to follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly, the business will reflect his or her value system. The key here is the term “wholeheartedly.” Some people desire to follow Christ in their personal lives but exclude Him from their business activities. In doing so, they forfeit a very effective opportunity to reach out to unbelievers. Who can better reach the employees, creditors, suppliers, and customers than a godly supervisor, manager, or owner? If a Christian business is to be used to serve God, it has but one overriding purpose. That is to display His character in managing the business. Acknowledging this will make decisions much simpler. Each decision: hiring, discharging, paying, promoting, etc., should be made in harmony with God’s written Word.
What Is The Real Purpose Of Business?
If a Christian business is to be used to serve God, it has but one overriding purpose. That is to display His character in managing the business. Acknowledging this will make decisions much simpler. Each decision: hiring, discharging, paying, promoting, etc., should be made in harmony with God’s written Word. Obviously, God’s Spirit leads you day-by-day, but always within the boundaries of what He has chosen to commit to the written Word. Thus, it becomes not so much you glorifying God as it is God glorifying Himself through you. As you are instructed in Colossians jjjj3:2, you should set your mind on “things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” To do this means that every action (literally every thought) should be weighed against your purpose: Does it display the character of God?
A Christian might think that to have a “Christian” business means to operate it better than the non-Christian. However, it is not a better business that God wants. He wants a totally different business. You are told not to be better than the people in the world, but to be as different as night is to day (II CORINTHIANS 6:15). If Christians simply operate a business better, it often means that they do the wrong things better. It’s a little like taking a driver’s test and executing every turn and stopping perfectly, while driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
Not all of God’s principles are different from the world’s. Many are the same. The rules for accounting, inventory, sales, etc., may be very similar for a Christian business and a secular business. It is the purpose that sets the Christian business apart. Every action and decision should be weighed against God’s standard first. If it does not measure up, it is discarded regardless of profit or loss. This is the only way that a Christian can avoid being conformed to the secular world. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (ROMANS 12:2).
Questions are sure to arise. Where do I start? There is too much to change. How can it possibly be done? It’s like any task, you start with one step at a time. You start where you are. Perhaps you start with one particular problem or situation. Maybe you start with your employees or your supervisors. The point is that you start with something you can handle. If you seek God’s will in small things He will show you how to handle larger things.
It is important to maintain a balance in your business. If the purpose of a Christian’s business is to display God’s character, then the day-to-day operations are the things you do to accomplish that purpose. Each function should be done with excellence and in balance. One function is not more or less important than another. For instance, if the business aspects are neglected in order to do evangelism, the business will suffer. If the ministry functions are neglected in order to generate profits, the business loses its witness in the world.
The Functions Of A Business
There are seven basic functions that comprise the activities of a Christian business:
Function 1: Evangelism
One of the best tools for evangelism is a business dedicated to God. Not only can employees be won by a dedicated owner or manager, but so can suppliers, creditors, and customers. When the Word Of God is put into practice, people respond. In a business, the application begins with those in authority. Evangelism is really just an outgrowth of applying God’s principles wisely “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls” PROVERBS 11:30).
Function 2: Discipleship
Evangelism is sharing Christ’s message of salvation. Discipleship is training Christians to grow stronger in their faith. In a business, this effort should be directed by the owner or manager to those immediately under his or her authority. They will then be able to disciple others. “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2).
Function 3: Responsible Development
The establishment and development of a Christian business should be done in ways that consider and compliment all aspects of God’s creation. Because God called His creation “good” (GENESIS 1: 11-12), He calls Christians to care for and manage the created environment in responsible ways. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (GENESIS 2:15).
Function 4: Fund God’s Work
A business is one of the best tools for funding God’s work. A properly run business can generate excess capital to meet needs, share the Gospel, and still continue its day-to-day operations. There are many creative ways to use these funds to further God’s work. The obvious one is giving to your church or to other ministries and missions. However, there are ministries available within the business itself. Some businesspersons have funds available for employees in need. If Christians who control businesses would realize that God has provided the business to further His kingdom, the question of what to do with retained earnings would be answered. “Honor the lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats overflow with new wine” (PROVERBS 3:9-10) .
Function 5: Provide For Needs
A business should provide for the needs of the employees, creditors, customers, and owners. This is done by paying salaries, paying for supplies and equipment in a timely fashion, and providing a quality product or service at a fair price. Sometimes in the business environment, the owner’s needs, wants, and desires are met first. Then the employees are paid what is necessary to allow them to get by. Sometimes creditors are paid late, or not at all, and the customers are viewed as a necessary evil. Too often, the relationship between owner and employee is adversarial. It is the “them against us” mentality and the owner comes first. This is not the case in God’s business manual. For instance, in Philippians 2:3 we are told, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself“
If a Christian business owner accepts meeting needs as a normal part of God’s plan, his business will play an effective role in evangelism and discipleship. When employees know that those in authority put the needs of others ahead of their own, they will respond. Sow caring for employees, and you will reap loyalty; sow disinterest, and you will reap distrust.
Function 6: Practice Responsible Business Principles
Good, ethical business principles and practices should always be used, but Christians should interpret them in the light of Scripture. As a Christian, you should live and present alternatives to the world’s ways rather than condemning them. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (JOHN 3:17). “The Lord demands fairness in every business deal. He established this principle (PROVERBS 16:11).
Function 7: Generate Profits
Any business must be able to make a profit if it is to continue operations. If you do not make a profit, you will not be in business very long. God’s Word directs us to think and plan. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (PROVERBS 16:9). This includes having a plan to generate profits. God’s Word does not teach us to sit on our hands, waiting for Him to reveal His perfect will. We are not to be just observers of God’s plan, but active participants in it. “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat” (PROVERBS 13:4).
The Keys To Generating A Profit
The keys to generating a profit according to God’s Word are not completed. Many businesspersons have followed them and have been leaders in their industry. Some became known, not only for their astute business acumen, but also for their Christian witness.
Key #1: Acknowledge And Obey God’s Eternal Wisdom In Operating Your Business
Seek God’s counsel first. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (PROVERBS 3:5-6). Remember what Christ taught in Matthew 21:31. Those who do what their Father says will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Key #2: Seek Godly Counsel In Major Decisions
Psalm 1:1 tells us, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked . . .” and Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” In addition to God, one of a person’s primary counselors should be his or her spouse. Proverbs 31:11 says, “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.” This is a resource that few utilize today.
Disobedience can come from a lack of accountability. An accountability group of three or more godly friends who know God’s Word will provide the counsel God directs us to seek.
Key #3: Operate By A Budget
Good financial planning necessitates knowing where your money comes from and where it goes. Some business owners attempt to operate without knowing either. Any well-run business should have up-to-date financial data to make intelligent decisions and to keep accounts current. A business is apt to fail simply because decisions are made based on faulty data, and the business overruns its cash flow. “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts” (PROVERBS 24:3-4).
Key #4: Make A Profit By Meeting The Needs Of Other People
When you oversell a product you end up with dissatisfied customers and you are forced to always be prospecting for new ones. If you are committed to meeting the needs of others you will have the best advertisement available . . . a satisfied customer! Success and wealth are merely a by-product of doing God’s work diligently. He will reward your efforts. Hence, the real meaning of Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return.“
NEXT: Chapter 5: The Godly Use Of Wealth
PREVIOUS: Part II: Business Objectives
Chapter 4: The Functions Of A Business
https://discerning-Islam.org
Last Updated: 10/2022
See COPYRIGHT information below.
[…] Chapter 4: The Functions Of A BusinessChapter 5: The Godly Use Of WealthChapter 6: Justice In The Marketplace8Chapter 7: A Successful Business […]
[…] PREVIOUS: Chapter 4 […]
[…] NEXT: Chapter […]
[…] NEXT: Chapter […]
[…] Chapter […]