From one perspective, Pastors are likely to be the LEAST capable persons talking about business. Sadly, most pastors today have little experience in the real world, never having held down a long-term job since they spent most of their life in various academic institutions. Usually, parents, churches and denominations subsidized them through their schooling and hence they have developed an operational socialist mentality. Many, many pastors think money just comes by “praying” for it, or appealing pityingly to the congregation. Some even have the damnable attitude that business is somehow beneath them, since they have a “higher” calling.

But this ought not to be the case. Pastors are called to preach the WHOLE counsel of God, teaching and equipping the saints for their work of service (Eph 4:11ff). And surely helping the businessman understand how to apply Biblical principles is part of his dominion work? But sadly, a pastor talking about business is often the same as a virgin discussing sex, he may be great on theory, but lacks personal experience. So let’s go back to basics and see what we come up with.

Business before the Fall

First, business is inherently and implicitly a part of God’s plan for dominion. Even if the Fall had not occurred there still would have been business. Time and energy are limited for we are finite creatures. Therefore, even in a perfect world, where men did not have to labor to support themselves, still, aesthetic, scientific and artistic endeavors would have required rationing time and energy. Since even in a perfect world, no man could do everything, there would have to have been cooperation. Men need other men’s help to plow fields, mine minerals, fashion objects, build homes, temples, etc. And therefore there would have to be some sort of organization of labor and skills.

Furthermore, even if one assumed that people worked freely, without the need for pay simply for the joy of working, there would have had to be some sort of accounting procedures. Say you want to build a house. You need wood, stone, glass, concrete, steel, etc. Someone has to either mine or manufacture those things. And there are certain jobs that even in a perfect world are dirty and undesirable. But people might be motivated to take them on, if there is some reward. Furthermore, even in a perfect world, different people have different skills. It is unlikely that all men would be able to do all things equally well. Some people would most likely be able to do SOME things better than others; i.e., some would be better carpenters, weavers, miners, etc.

So therefore, it is likely that there would be a “DIVISION OF LABOR” where some men worked at some jobs, developing the skills, abilities and talents necessary to accomplish their goals. And because they are working at SOME jobs, they do not have time and energy to do OTHER jobs. Hence, there would have been some sort of trading: i.e., “You give me ten tons of steel ore, and I’ll give you back a ton of refined steel.” Or, “you gather the fruit and vegetables I need to eat, and I’ll weave you a nice rug.” Or “I am good at making pots and you are good at making furniture, let’s swap.”

Hence even in a perfect world there would have to have been some men working at acquiring raw materials, some men able to fashion those materials into goods and services, and likely, some men who were able to market those goods and services. Furthermore, there would have had to have been some sort of accounting system once the community got much larger than just a few hundred people, just to keep track of who owed what to whom and when was payment due (even perfect men might not necessarily have perfect memories). And of course, the simplest accounting procedure is money. Money is simply a token that can be exchanged for goods and services. It is a reminder that you worked at a job that someone else needed doing, and as a result, he promised to help provide you with things that you need.

Therefore, we can define “business” as the organizing of skills, labor and raw materials to produce goods and services needed (or desired) by others. Thus even without sin, guile, deception, theft etc., there would have still been business. And all the essential aspects of business would have been there, procurement, production, marketing and some sort of accounting system.

A “Christian” businessman is therefore one who orients his time, talents, products, services and methods according to God’s unchanging principles. He is not just a businessman who happens to be a Christian, but essentially operates the same way as his pagan peers. To the contrary, he studies the Scripture to find out how God says his business should run.

Wealth Power and the Goal of Business

Now that sin HAS entered the world, it does affect what we do and how we do it. Men are now twisted towards evil and hence our business dealings are often fraught with covetousness, greed, envy, deception, etc., and the Law regulates all these factors.

Secondly, since the Fall, the search for wealth, in and of itself is the quest for power; power denied us by the curse on the earth. Wealth is desirable because it gives us power over the environment and other men. The old adage “wealth won’t buy happiness” is true, but it sure will make misery more comfortable. Wealth allows you to protect yourself from the elements, eat better food, give your kids a better education, make your leisure time more enjoyable, etc. Furthermore, since wealth IS power (the more wealth you own, the more control you have over limited resources that others want), wealth provides wicked men a semblance of divinity; i.e., men want to be as “God” and wealth is a means of giving them that illusion.

Hence, ungodly men seek wealth to mitigate against the effects of the Fall. All the Biblical warnings about wealth need to be understood in the context that wicked men will attempt to use the labor of others for their own selfish ends to gain power and subsidize their rebellion against God. This is why Jesus said that rich men found it so hard to enter the kingdom of Heaven. They were able to insulate themselves from the worst effects of the curse, and therefore their hardened hearts were never broken so they could be brought to repentance.

Thus, the Christian businessman begins working diligently at his calling FIRST by recognizing that God is the source of all wealth and that his primary goal is to glorify God in all his actions. If he succeeds in this fundamental goal, then everything else will fall into place. Many Proverbs promise the godly man, who walks in humility towards God and obeys His precepts, material prosperity. There is no reason not to take God at face value on this. Men, who work hard, develop their callings, give good service and do their labor as unto the Lord, in general will prosper. Granted, by taking short cuts, being deceptive, etc., a man MAY increase his short-term gains. But God also promises that such men will simply lay up their wealth for the righteous. We do not NEED wealth as a hedge against the Fall, for in Christ, all Heaven and earth are being renewed and we are to inherit it. God will take care of us, as long as we walk in His will.

Notice the true definition of wealth in Scripture. Paul says, “if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” The Christian businessman thus does not seek wealth as an end in and of itself. Instead he seeks to be faithful to God and diligent in his calling and wealth and prosperity come as a by-product. In the same way, happiness does not come by seeking it, it comes from being at peace with God and your fellow-man. Men, who seek happiness, never find it. Therefore, we are to be content with food and covering (cf. Matt 7:24ff). Now, granted, a man who is skilled, and works diligently, tithes, helps the poor, spends wisely, saves for emergencies, etc., will prosper with more than food or covering. But the point here is that our orientation must always bee the glory of God, not simply the acquisition of wealth.

If business is about providing needed goods and services, and if the Christian businessman’s goal is to glorify God, then it is not unreasonable to conclude that ultimately, business is critical and central to the dominion mandate. Whoever controls the means of production in a society also controls the wealth of that society, and therefore the power of a society. If God promises to bless the faithful as they labor unto Him, then wealth and power will flow to Christians over time. Therefore Christian business must be self-consciously dedicated to extending the reign of Christ over every area of life.

However, an old maxim is that “when you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your original intention was to drain the swamp.” Right now we live in an unrighteous nation filled with wickedness. Christians are struggling simply to provide a roof over their heads, feed and clothe their children and give them a decent Christian education. Hence, the goal of dominion may seem far removed from our day-to-day experience. Most of us work for other people; people who use our time, energy, skills, life-experience, etc., for THEIR ends, not God’s. But time is on our side. We can improve the economic situation of each generation so that over many generations, like compound interest, we can see increasing freedom from the present economic system and we have God’s promise that wealth and power will, eventually flow to us. Think about this, a thousand years ago our ancestors were likely little better than slaves. But the with growth of the Kingdom, and the Puritan work ethic, over many, many generations we have achieved increasing wealth and economic freedom. And with that freedom, also comes greater opportunity to use our talents more directly for the advancement of the Kingdom.

Application: Some Practical Principles of Christian Business

First, debt while not necessarily sinful is never wise (Rms 13:6) and Christians should attempt to operate their business as free from debt as possible. Debt eats up profits since a considerable portion of our wealth must go back to paying off the moneylender rather than advancing the business. Greed, covetous and a short-term focus is often the motivation behind business loans and the primary reason why so many new business fail. Rather than getting a bank loan, Christians should consider capitalizing hard working, diligent and skillful men to start their own business, becoming partners with them. Granted, we are not there yet, but we can begin by capitalizing our children (one of the justifications of financing their education) so they can begin working for themselves.

Secondly, the laborer is worthy of his hire (1 Cor 9:9) and the businessman must not “muzzle the ox.” Therefore, a Christian businessman should pay his workers a fair and just wage. He is not to profit at their expense but should in so far as possible, share the wealth. Sadly, most Christian enterprises cheat their laborers expecting the workers to pay for the privilege of working for a Christian boss. If Christians simply paid a fair and equitable wage, then labor unions and anti-business legislation (such as the minimum wage) that now threaten businessmen would never have achieved the power they now have over us.

Third, a Christian businessman must be honest in his dealings in that he must use “just scales(e.g., Pvbs 20:23).” In other words, he must give fair value for money received. He cannot lie about his product or service to make it sell better. He must keep his covenants with his clients, pay his bills, on time, etc. This basic Christian character, yet far too many Christian businessmen think that because they ARE Christians and can be forgiven, they can get away with shady dealings. They may be psalm-singing saints in church, but vicious horse traders in the market.

Fourthly, a Christian businessman may and should charge a fair price for his goods and services so that he can take care of his family (1 Tim 5:8). “Fair” here refers to the market rate. Profit is good. It is a means of showing someone that he is offering genuine goods and services that are of value to others. And if he is responsible to ensure that HIS laborers are worthy of hire, then his own labor is equally valuable. Furthermore, he has a responsibility to his family to care for them. To devalue his skills and labor and not charge a reasonable rate for his labor is to cheat his family of their protection. Men who do not work for a fair wage are insulting God by not providing for their families.

Fifthly, since he labors as unto the Lord (Col 3:23) He must keep faith with God and give Him only the best. He must be diligent, conscientious and hard working. Businesses often fail because self-employed men are not self-disciplined enough to use their time profitably and wisely. Being a Christian businessman is NOT about having weekly Bible studies in the office, or morning staff meetings opened in prayer. Instead, it is about a life dedicated to Christ in EVERY business transaction, every hour spent, how every resource is used, etc.

Sixthly, he must be wise in terms of the market (Eph 5:15-16). Simply because you may want a rewarding career in making gold plated widgets, does not mean that there is either a need or a desire for his product. God does not promise to bless men who waste time and energy. Let each man carefully and wisely examine his calling and work at that calling. Furthermore, let me examine his calling in terms of the needs and desires of others. Also, it is good to remember that God does not promise that each of His people will become “successful.” Let’s be brutally honest; some of us do not have the brains, skills, talents, etc., which are in demand today. Therefore don’t be frustrated, just be diligent. Learn new skills, use your time wisely, work, even if you are OUT of a job at SOMETHING and God will bless.

Seventhly, he must honor the Lord’s Day (Exodus 20:8ff). Granted, some businesses MUST remain open on Sunday in the modern economy just to be profitable (Mom and Pop grocery stores come to mind). But if that is the case, let the Christian develop new skills and abilities and go into other activities. Don’t become dependant upon a business that routinely requires you to violate the Sabbath (with exceptions noted for some sorts of industries, power generation, emergency services, etc.) In our modern economies, sometimes Christians will have to work on the Lord’s Day (as happened during the early years in the Roman Empire). But if there is a choice, let the Christian honor the Sabbath so that God will bless them.

Eighthly, try, if possible to become self-employed (1 Cor 7:21). Even if you make a good wage right now, your time belongs to another, and HE’S making money off from you. While self-employment is not always possible, it is a goal you can have for your children, to start their own business, being an owner rather than a slave. You will actually work harder, and there is much less security. But in the long run, the self-governed man will value his freedom above the security so that he can use his gifts, talents and time for the Lord.

Ninthly, while we don’t work just for pleasure, the Lord has given a land of good things. Take time to enjoy the benefits that God gives (e.g., Ecc 9:9). Work is NOT the only thing in life. There must be time for fellowship, relaxation and lawful pleasures. Granted, we work for the advancement of the Kingdom and the glory of God, but that same God also gave His people at least three different festivals and celebrations every year and commanded that a tenth of your income be reserved to enjoy the blessings He gives. Now granted, today most people want to spend ALL their money of pleasure and relaxation, but while we refute this error, let’s not make one on the opposite side.

In conclusion, whatever you do, do for the glory of God. Don’t make wealth your goal or possessions your purpose in life. Don’t covet what others have, but be content with what God gives you. Granted, you can and should develop skills and abilities that will enable you to become more productive. But sometimes God simply will not allow that to happen. So rest in the Lord, enjoy your wife and children, sit under your fig tree, take pleasure in good food and a glass of wine, fellowship with the saints, love your God and be content with what He gives you.