A fourth essential for any Christian business is learning to provide for needs. Many people miss seeing their business as a ministry and the chance to look at their business as an outreach.
Yes, by providing salaries, we are meeting the need of ourselves and employees..
Yes, being a business that provides a quality product at a fair price, meets the need of a customer.
Even paying for supplies and equipment in a timely manner is a chance to provide for those who trust us on credit or trust us for their business.
I want to cover a few things in this section that seem to come up as questions: paying tithes on a business, supporting charitable organizations, and salaries. I know these sounds like a repeat of being a good steward of business finances. But I want to dig a little bit deeper in these three areas.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22 (NKJV)
Think about this. When we learn to see our business as a means to support God’s kingdom here on earth, we open the door for a whole new perspective in managing our business affairs.
Paying Tithes
Let’s look at the idea of paying tithes. This goes back as far as the Old Testament. The people at that time did not necessarily have businesses like ours. Many were farmers and craftsmen. Yet, even they were required to give a tenth of their yield.
The question remains, however, as to where our tithes from a business should come from: our gross or our net.
Well, how much do you trust God?
Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. Mark 4:24 (NKJV)
You cannot out give God. Go ahead and try (with the right attitude).
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
If you determine in your heart to give ten percent, then do so believing that you cannot out give God. Do not do so if you are seeking God to give you riches!
God is all about prospering His children but not at the expense of their souls.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)
Giving to provide for the need of your church or giving to provide the need for a charitable organization should be done without expecting return. We can only do this if we have given our business to God. When we see Him as the owner, we are more prepared to give as He gives.
So net or gross – it is entirely up to you and what you have determined in your heart. To give beyond what you determine may cause you to regret your giving, and God does not honor regret. God honors the joyful giver.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV)
Supporting a Charitable Organization
For me, paying tithes outweighs supporting a charitable organization. But there is a catch. If I make a promise to support someone or something, and that person or organizations is depending on me, will God let me slide?
Jesus says let your yes be yes and your no be no. The best way to keep from having to make these decisions is not to make such a pledge or vow.
Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NKJV)
If you can set aside money for giving, then do so. But do not let people depend on your generosity to the point that they base their futures on your ability to give. You never know when you cannot keep that pledge.
Don’t put yourself in the position of becoming a liar. Good intentions do not mean much in the business world.
Someone once told me that if you do a good deed for someone, they will tell a few people. If you fail someone, they will tell the whole world.
Salaries
God has a lot to say about salaries but I want to concentrate here:
Masters (business owners), give your bondservants (employees) what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1 (NKJV, emphasis added)
I know we are past slavery in most industrialized nations. But the principle laid out here still applies. With employees, we are supposed to be fair and just. I cannot pay one person one rate and two people that same rate together for doing the same job. That’s common sense.
Where common sense ends is in trying to figure out how much to pay someone for a job. You may not pay an engineer the same as you would a secretary. You might pay a part-time person less than a full-time employee.
You have to decide what is fair and just. Paying someone below poverty level is not a just or a fair way to pay someone.
And what about paying you? How much is your time and effort in your business worth? As the owner of a business, you have to pay yourself (why else would you be in business?).
Sacrifice may be necessary at times. There are some people worth cutting your own salary for because in time that person can generate more income which will replace your sacrifice. Some owners are afraid of paying someone more than themselves. But they fail to realize that some people are worth the risk.
Being fair and just also means knowing that we each have to answer to God. That, for me, puts the whole matter into perspective. Can you think of billionaires who are now realizing that their wealth cannot be spent in their lifetimes? What a dilemma they must be facing trying to figure out who they can give away their money to.
Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. Proverbs 22:16 (MSG)
Whether this verse means actually losing wealth or losing in life, I would not want to be the one who tests it. Why do you think so many PACs (political action committees) are looked down on? They take a lot of money and spend it one those with a lot of money. Who ends up the poorer?
Besides, God does not show partiality. You do not get an “A” for effort when you are fair and just. God does notice, however.
To wrap this up, as Christian business owners, we have been given a fantastic opportunity to follow in Christ’s footsteps and carry our cross and share in the gospel journey through obediently providing for needs beyond our own. I honestly believe our character is at stake as we think about this business principle. God will decide, but why not give Him something to decide with?
Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Malachi 3:10 (MSG)
I do not know about you but as a minister, I can dream really big.
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