5 Essentials for Christian Businesses - Part 3

I know it is long, but it is worth it!

Business Stewardship

Not having a major in Business Administration, I cannot tell you every thing about how business works. Having a degree in ministerial studies, I do feel I can speak about stewardship.

For those unsure of what stewardship is, let me give you a simple definition. It is taking care of the things in which God has entrusted us. A business started by a person is a door opened by God. This door held by God is His way of entrusting us.

Any Christian who walks through this door is accepting God’s provisions and making a promise to care for that provision. It is our responsibility to carry out business in a manner that honors Him.

Think of it this way. Someone hands you a thousand dollars. They tell you that you can do whatever you would like with the money as long as the money makes money. They also ask that they receive a return on investment.

What do you do? You take the money and begin to invest it and make money. You set aside money to give back to the one who gave to you. You even become creative in giving and find that the more you invest in others the more you are trusted with.

Seems amazing but look at this:

"It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left.

Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.

"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.' "The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'

"The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'

"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. "'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.' Matthew 25:14-30 (MSG)

I know that is a long passage but it is the best example of stewardship and straight from the teachings attributed to Jesus.

Business is a risk. If we are acting in the best interest of our family situation and with God honoring intent, then the results outweigh the risks.

In the past. I played it safe in business, mainly because I did not know what I was doing. Risk was there but I am not sure if my original intentions were equal to the risk. I have to really pay attention to my desires to make sure they align themselves with God.

What to do with Excess Capital

You do not run a business just to see how much money you can lose, do you? If so, lose some my way!

When someone starts a business, their intent is to make money.

• To make enough to cover their costs
• To make enough to live comfortably
• To make enough to be rich
• To make enough to buy more of what they want
  

The reasons go on. A Christian business should generate enough to cover costs, pay employees or self, prepare for rainy days, and provide means for ministry. Many Christian business owners face an ethical and spiritual decision when they are blessed with excess capital.

What should I do with it? How should I invest it? Can a little more go in my pocket? Where can I hide it? Do I pay taxes on it? Should I pay tithes?

I am going to deal with paying tithes in the next section. But I will say that if you cannot freely give it, do you control it, or does it control you?

The first thing to understand about excess capital is that you should not feel guilty for making it. If you are a legitimate business and your business practice follows the ideas outlined in this series, then make it but don’t flaunt it! Accept the blessings of God as you dedicate it to Him.

Next, excess capital can test you. Read the verses from Matthew 25 again. These people had not earned the money. They were given the money. Two used the excess wisely and one hoarded it.

Excess capital is a part of business. How you choose to use it, will determine whether you can be trusted further. But what about those who make money in their sleep?

Being a Christian businessman never compares anywhere else. You bring into your business the ethics you bear. To compare your successes to the successes of others is dangerously close to envy.

That said, Christians should recognize that God owns everything. If He chooses to bless the most sinned-filled and vile and repugnant person, then our place is not to judge God’s plans.

Unfortunately, there are some who make money through nefarious means or through being a bully in their market. Our job is to become an example and show other business people what more can be accomplished when we all choose to follow God’s design for business.

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase. Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV)

Just think, what can we accomplish if all business people put their excess to use for God’s purposes?

Day to Day - Things to Think About

Being a good steward goes beyond the excess. In fact, before you can touch the excess, you have to make sure the day to day expenses are cared for. eBay entrepreneurs, for example, have to pay fees. Yes, really - lots and lots of fees.

Creditors should be paid on time. Suppliers should be paid on time. If you cannot pay them on time, what kind of example are you setting?

I used to pay one of my suppliers as I sold items. Why? I do not ever want to be put into a situation of not paying and ruining my business reputation.

Taking care of your expenses in business is very important. Robert Kiyosaki in his book, Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money-That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!, gives a twist to taking care of personal expenses. He suggests paying yourself first, and then paying for the day to day stuff. He suggests this because in order to pay for our expenses, we will be required to work harder to earn more in order to pay those expenses.

Take that advice as you will, but here is what the Bible says:

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28 (NKJV)

Now, I cannot say that is sound business advice. I can say that working harder and more efficiently can better your chances of earning more. Remember, business is a risk.

But how does that fit into a Christian perspective, especially when you know God would not have us be in debt?

Look at who you owe. For eBayers, you will owe eBay. You will owe Paypal. You may owe a supplier.

Break that down and you have advertising expenses, banking expenses, and supply expenses. How can you manage those expenses to maximize your effectiveness and better your chances of paying off your debts every month?

eBay may just be the place to turn with 200 million visitors for those who want a better online visibility.

• Is online advertising enough?
• Are you sending emails with a signature that point to your website?
• Do you have a regular way of contacting past customers?
• Is PayPal the best way for you to collect money?
• Have you considered a credit card agency offered through your bank?
• Do you calculate your prices to ensure you get a profit and your supplier gets paid?
  

Taking care of your day to day expenses seems like a tedious task but to run an effective business on Christian principles, you have to care for those who have a vested interest in your success. Suppliers do want you to succeed because your success means their success. Work with suppliers because they will usually have new ideas for advertising and selling their product.

All we are and have we owe to GOD, Holy God of Israel, our King! Psalms 89:18 (MSG)

Being a good steward means recognizing that we owe everything to God. If we cannot honor Him with the success He gives us, what good is our worship?

Beyond Day to Day - Creating a Larger Vision

Here is where business stewardship will test your character and your ethics.

Can your business also be a ministry? Taking the opportunity is up to you. If we owe it all to God, how much of it can we return beyond our paying tithes?

Let me give a couple of examples:

1. Funding Business Ministry

Have you ever thought about how you can minister to employees? Some companies have moved into providing paid counselors or paying for counseling services.

Having a counselor on staff can be very effective in dealing immediately with the problems of employees. It can increase productivity because employees see how you are providing care for them.

Setting up a fund for needy employees is another way to minister to their needs. Some people go through tough times: high gas prices, broken vehicles, unexpected sickness, and unexpected home repairs. Why not be prepared to help them?

How about providing childcare? I have heard that parents who know their children are cared for are more effective than those who wonder how junior is doing. The primary reason I stayed home as a dad was to make sure my kids received the attention they needed from their parents. The churches I worked for did not have an available service for my kids.

2. Funding Employee Training

There are always ways of investing in the education of your employees. There are business seminars, leadership seminars, and Christian development courses.

You can start a library for your employees: tapes, CDs, DVDs are all great for teaching about personal finances, business practices, and more. You can find great resources from John Maxwell, Os Hillman, Crown Financial ministries, and Dave Ramsey.

You may consider doing a yearly mission service with your company in support of an overseas mission. Or become involved with a local ministry in which you and your employees actively participate.

Here are some ideas:

Ministry Ideas for Christian CEOs - Os Hillman (www.marketplaceleaders.org)

1. Establish written Biblical values as a priority for your firm.
2. Make Christian resources available (books, tapes, and videos) on current topics
3. Send employees' children to Christian camps. Offer scholarships to community.
4. Use Christian motivational speakers at sales and company meetings.
5. Have prayer at company meetings.
6. Send employees and spouses to Family Life Seminars.
7. Use special seasons such as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Years to send cards with a Christ-centered message.
8. Give away one-year Bibles or other modern translations, paraphrased versions, etc.
9. Share personal challenges and views on current events from a biblical, Christ-centered perspective in a newsletter or other format. Biblical but not “preachy.”
10. Give Children’s Bibles, Devotionals, or storybooks to employees for their children and grandchildren.
11. Join a Christian accountability group of peers.
12. Release some of your profits to support local ministries that are Christ-centered.
13. Send your key people to seminars and conferences where they can relate to other Christian business and professional leaders.
14. Lead a small group study on Christian values for your employees.
15. Do a seekers class.
16. Provide educational scholarships for employee’s children.
17. Provide seminars from a Christian world-view, (For employees, suppliers, etc.)
18. Make financial planning from a biblical perspective available to employees.
19. Have a supplier appreciation banquet, show you value them as persons. Pay them on time.
20. Model application of scripture in business situations. Look for teachable moments to illustrate applications.
21. Have a Christ-centered Christmas party.
22. Recognize biblical fruitfulness in employees.
23. Release employees to do ministry on company time.
24. Sponsor a Christian radio program.
25. Pray daily for employees, customers, suppliers, and competitors and let them know it.
26. Send “We are praying for you” cards to customers, suppliers, etc.
27. Display tasteful Christian paintings, pictures, scriptures as office decorations
28. Have Christian magazines and literature in your reception area.
29. Have Christian music on your “hold” button.
30. Fly a Christian flag.
31. Include testimony and other tracts with invoices and other mailing pieces.
32. Create a personal testimony tract and send it to business associates.
33. Have a company picnic and share your testimony or have another do so.
34. Have a corporate chaplain.
35. Purchase a company retreat center and make it available to employees and families.
36. Purchase seats at local Christian events. Seminars, concerts, etc. and give them to employees, suppliers, customers.
37. Provide scholarship to married couples to Marriage Enrichment weekend.
38. Give away copies of the Jesus film video.
39. Underwrite 2 hours a week of an employee’s time that is given to visit local nursing home residents.
40. Start a Wednesday (noon) Bible Study
41. Start a Weekly Prayer Group(s)
42. Men’s breakfast Bible study
43. Christian music listening and sharing time
44. “Experiencing God” classes or TGIF Bible Study on calling
45. “The Mind of Christ” class
46. “Raising Boys” class
47. Contemplative Prayer study
48. “Divorce and Re-marriage” class
49. Seeker small groups
50. Provide TGIF subscription to employees or associates
51. Launch Faith and Work E3 (see FaithandWorkE3.com) to equip employees to integrate their faith and work.
52. Provide day care for your employees' children.
53. Send a note to your mayor and tell him you are praying for him.
54. Financially support an inner city ministry.
    

Events

• Christian Fellowship Retreat
• National Day of Prayer Celebration
• Jesus video presentation(s)
• Good News Break - “The Perfect Storm”
• Good News Break - “Who’s in Control”
• Praise and Worship Gatherings
• Gospel 101 Class/Presentation
• Sponsor an annual prayer breakfast for your city or your company
• Sponsor a Called to the Workplace workshop by Os Hillman for your co. or city
• Sponsor a city-wide workplace conference
• Participate in city-wide Global Day or Prayer