Setting The Stage

In order to properly set the stage for all that has transpired, I want to go back a few years. It was in 2003 when God first got my attention with the idea of operating our business from an eternal perspective.  It had never crossed my mind before, but this idea penetrated and captured my heart at that moment.  I was hooked!

Since that time, I have attempted to operate our family business in a way that honors God and points others to Him (adding silhouettes!).  Since 2011, I have documented here many of the bumps and bruises we have experienced along the way, but I have had the opportunity to share some incredible victories as well!  God has done much work in and through our business over these last 15 years.

A New Desire

Over the most recent few years, a desire has begun to grow inside of me.  This desire is to show other business owners and leaders how to do the same thing in their businesses.  This blog has been part of that journey, but the desire has grown beyond even this medium.

During this time, I have found myself searching out and volunteering for speaking and teaching engagements.  I have started writing short ebooks.  I have seized opportunities to coach and mentor other business leaders, both younger and older.  Whenever I had the chance to speak into the life of another business leader, I took it!

From Adding To Multiplying

My passion has moved from “adding silhouettes” (souls impacted for eternity) to multiplying them.  God has put this fire in me and I have done everything I could find to do that would quench this desire.  If left unchecked, I would have been fine with continuing on this same path for years to come.

God had different plans.

I received a call back in October.  A friend on the other end of the call asked if I would be willing to listen to an opportunity he felt God was leading him to share with me.  In case you missed my last post, it was that experience that has caused me to always listen to discern if God is speaking.  I told my friend I would hear him out.

The short version of this opportunity is that my friend was working with a non-profit ministry that was looking for a CEO.  The ministry is called His Way At Work and its mission is to inspire and help business owners put God at the center of their workplace and care for people as He does – all to create eternal value!  The more I listened to him describe the mission, the more excited I got.

The Decision Process

Over the following months, my wife and I fasted and prayed like never before.  Our prayer was that God would make it more than clear to us that He was in this.  For us to be willing to sell everything, leave our extended families, and walk away from the family business, we had to remove ALL doubts.  If not, we wanted no part of it.

At each step in the process, God went overboard and showed us that He was driving.  He could not have been more convincing without sending Gabriel to tell us!  At some point later, I may describe all that happened, but for now, just know God overcame our doubts.  He convinced us He was leading us to leave the comforts of our current lives to follow Him on this new path.

New Future

We said “Yes” to the offer to come on board with His Way At Work and we are now in the process of moving our family to Spartanburg, South Carolina where the ministry is headquartered.

It is now the beginning of February and I have been on the job for two weeks!  I am still transitioning out of my position with the family auto business, so I have not yet been able to fully engage in the work.  Even so, I am loving all that I am seeing!  This new role is definitely a good fit for me and I am excited to charge into it with all of my energy!

What About The Blog?

There is one question that I want to address before I close.  What will happen to Christian Faith At Work – will it continue?

The answer…I am not sure!  In some way, I plan to integrate this blog into my efforts at His Way At Work.  I just do not yet have clarity on how that will look.  If you have any thoughts or ideas on this, I welcome your feedback!  I will stay in touch and keep you updated on what is transpiring.

Thank you for your support!

Photo by AndreyPopov / iStock

If you have been in business very long, you have most likely heard that the purpose of business is to increase, or maximize, shareholder value.  This idea has been around a long time, stemming from comments by world-famous economist Milton Friedman in a New York Times article in September 1970.  In this article, Friedman argued against any “social responsibility” on the part of businesses, other than increasing its profits.

Another Perspective

I will begin by saying that I cannot compete with Friedman’s deep understanding of economics.  However, I do believe that the Bible is the authority on the matter. And based on what I have read there, I am convinced that God has a different purpose for our businesses.  I believe Milton Friedman was dangerously wrong.

Before I go any further, please know that I DO understand that profit is necessary to a business.  It cannot operate for very long without it.  There is nothing wrong with profit and there is no need to apologize for it or hide the pursuit of it.  Nothing I will say from this point should be taken to mean that profit is the problem.

Instead, I simply want us to be clear on exactly why our business exists.  And based on what I see in the Bible, the answer is NOT simply to maximize profit for the shareholders.  Let’s take a look at a couple of passages from the Bible and see what we can determine regarding a purpose.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”  You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

I am convinced that we can discern from these passages that God does not see maximizing profit as the purpose of our businesses.  If this is true, then what is His purpose?  Why did he create business in the first place?  What purpose does it serve in His overall plan?

God’s Purpose for Business

The more I dig into this whole idea, the more I am convinced that He sees business as a tool, a part of His overall purposes.  To find out what these are, we have to look no further than the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission:

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:35-40

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

If we read these two passages in the context of determining God’s overall purposes, I would say it is clear that He wants us to love Him, love others, and point everyone to Him.  To the extent that business can be used by us as a tool to do just that, we are to do it.  There is no greater purpose!

If this is true, then it is a serious mistake to operate a business for any other purpose.  No, I do not believe that God will ZAP anyone running a business with profit as their main objective.  At the same time, I believe that we will all look back at the end of our lives and see our missed opportunities to serve God.  We will see the chances we had to impact eternity.  It will be a tragedy for us to see how we could have run our businesses for eternal returns rather than temporary profit.

I would encourage you to pray about this on your own.  Pray God would open your heart and reveal to you His purposes for your business.  Pray He would give you clarity around what it means and how you are to carry it out.  Pray He would then give you boldness to act.

Photo by alexkich / iStock

Building Sand Castles

What usually happens is that the kids get started in the smooth, hard-packed sand when the tide is out. I guess this offers a better foundation and is easier to build upon.

They have their buckets and shovels and make frequent trips back and forth to the water. As they form walls and parapets and moats, they seem like they are in another world. In fact, the kids can stay like this for hours if allowed. Sometimes they will even try to miss a meal to keep going!

The problem comes later when the tide starts coming in. Initially, the water starts attacking the base of the castle, eroding the walls. Eventually, the waves overrun the walls and fill the moats with such force that the whole castle is destroyed. Within hours, there is no sign a castle ever existed there.

Not As Exciting For Parents?

My question – why is this not as exciting for parents as it is for the kids? Sure, there is an element of excitement for a parent as they see their kids having fun. But why don’t parents do this without their kids? Why aren’t the kids begging to go back to the room while the parents continue to work on the sand castle?

I am convinced that parents understand how meaningless it is to work hard to create something that will certainly be destroyed within hours. I believe, whether they consciously consider it or not, they know it is meaningless because they will have nothing to show for their work the next day.

Does this make sense? Do you think this same idea may also apply to our work in the marketplace? Have you ever stopped to think about it?

Work Is Meaningless

The author of Ecclesiastes (likely Solomon) certainly thought about this. In fact, he sought all there was in life – all pleasures, wealth, work, etc., and found that all of it was meaningless.

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”
Ecclesiastes 12:8

Many of us have found the same to be true about our work at first. For some, revelation that there was more to it came at an early age. For others, this revelation came later. For many, they cannot see it.

The truth is that (according to Scripture) your work, in and of itself, is meaningless. All that you work for and achieve in this world will burn one day and there will be no reward for it in eternity. Whether you like it or not, this is what the Bible says. Check out 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 to see the basis for this.

There Is Hope!

Fortunately, there is another verse in Ecclesiastes that gives us hope. If this is true, then we can hope to bring more people to the realization that all work is not meaningless.

He has also set eternity in the human heart;
Ecclesiastes 3:11

God put eternity in our hearts. The way I understand this, there is an eternal hole or void in our hearts. We have it from birth and nothing can fill it but Him. No work, wealth, pleasure or achievement can fill that void, no matter how hard we try.

Eternal Perspective

However, once we fill that void through a salvation experience with Jesus, all sorts of opportunities open up to us. Suddenly, our work CAN matter! It is no longer meaningless if we approach it from an eternal perspective!

We first need to realize that our work, to the extent that it points others to God and a relationship with His Son, can have eternal meaning AND create eternal reward! Once we realize this, we can begin working through our jobs and businesses to have impact on people for eternity.

Share With Others!

Then, as we gain more clarity on how this works, we need to begin sharing this realization with others. Can you imagine what it could look like if all the Christians you know in the business world began doing their jobs and running their businesses with an eternal purpose?

I can tell you that this very idea is what drives me to keep writing this blog. It is the hope that others can come to the realization that their work does not have to be meaningless. It can have a dramatic eternal impact if they will simply turn it over to God and follow His lead!

Have you come to this realization regarding meaningless work?

If so, who have you shared it with?

If not, I encourage you to pray about it! Will you?

Photo by Vladimir_Timofeev / iStock

Jesus Had Ultimate Power

Think about it. As a kid, I knew that Jesus was the Son of God. While I could not easily explain the Trinity, I simply accepted that Jesus was God and man at the same time. Some things that adults have a hard time understanding are just accepted as fact by kids. This was one of those ideas.

Knowing that Jesus was also God at the same time, I knew He had total power to do anything. Stronger than Superman and faster than Flash, Jesus had the ultimate power. There was simply nothing He could not do if He wanted to.

Could Jesus Use His Power?

Because I believed this, I had a REALLY hard time with the question mentioned above. I could not understand why He didn’t use His power more. I mean, I knew He worked miracles. He walked on water, turned water into wine, and raised Lazarus from the dead.

It’s not like He could not use his power at all. Clearly, God did not tell Jesus to hide His power. So if that is the case, why didn’t he use it more often? As a kid, I could think of SO many different ways He could have used it!

Various Examples

He could have used His power to defeat playground bullies. He could have won every arm wrestling match he ever faced. He could have even won the Fastest Runner award every year in school!

As an adult, Jesus did not have to be a lowly carpenter. He could have been a very successful business owner. He could have risen to the top of the political structure of the time. He could have even defeated the Roman army single-handedly and taken over the world!

As a kid with a great imagination, I could come up with endless ways Jesus could have used His power. And every year when Easter came around, this question burned even deeper. Why didn’t Jesus use His power to escape the cross?

Jesus Had An Eternal Perspective

Now, looking back, I see how silly my question was. What seemed so elusive at the time is an answer that is all too obvious now. I am sure it is just as obvious to you as well, but I think it is worth reviewing.

Jesus had an eternal perspective. He came from heaven to earth for a short time and with very specific purposes. Jesus knew before He came that He would return to heaven. He knew that anything material He gained on earth would be left behind upon His return to His throne.

His Purpose Was Bigger

Jesus didn’t overuse His power to win fights or contests because that did not align with His purpose. He didn’t seek business wealth and success because He knew it was fleeting. He knew it was worthless in eternity and promised little comfort during His tenure on earth.

Jesus avoided political and military entanglements because His perspective was even bigger than they could ever be. And most of all, He submitted to the cross because the lives of those He would save as a result were infinitely more valuable than the value of His additional time on earth.

Ridiculous Question

Folks, the question I struggled with as a kid is almost ridiculous when I look back at it. I almost laugh at myself until I come to another realization and want to cry.

See, if this question is so ridiculous to me now, if the answer is so obvious, then why am I still living as if this life on earth is more valuable than the eternity I face after this life?

Do you understand the problem?

I begin to laugh at my limited understanding as a kid until I realize I am still living as if I have that same limited understanding now!

I Am Humbled

When I look at all of the ways I continue to seek my own personal gain today, at the expense of eternal gain, I want to cry. Maybe you are different, but I am almost embarrassed to put these thoughts our here on the blog…and would not, except for the hope that someone else will gain from my weakness and transparency.

The bottom line is that my original question IS ridiculous. The answer IS obvious AND the same purposes that motivated Jesus to act as He did should motivate us today.

We should be exchanging what this short-term world has to offer for the eternal reward that Jesus offers us. We should be sacrificing our comfort today for the promise of the future in heaven.

Some of you are doing this very thing. Some of you are nodding your head right now and maybe even pumping your fist in agreement! At the same time, others of us are silently considering our own lack of commitment.

It’s Not Too Late!

For those of us in this uncomfortable position, the exciting news is that the story is not over. It is not too late! God is faithful AND forgiving. He is full of mercy and grace. He is standing ready to embrace our full focus and lead us to much greater eternal results.

I encourage you not to quit. Don’t give up simply because you feel you have failed in one area or another (or in multiple areas!). Hit your knees, ask for renewed strength, and trust God to lead you. He will never leave you or forsake you!

Do you understand the answer to this question?

Are you living out your understanding?

What needs to change?

Photo by zahar2000 / iStock

I had recently been initiated into an ongoing game between the technicians and the parts employees. The technicians took their grease rags, balled them up, and wrapped them in tape. Anytime a parts employee left the window open between the two departments, the technicians would bomb the opening with rag balls.

As the parts employee assigned to that window, I learned quickly how to play the game. I began hoarding rag balls, preparing to mount my offensive at the right time. I could not wait to see how they would react when I threw open the door to their department and began flinging rag balls at them!

When that time finally arrived, I did exactly as I had planned. I had untucked my shirt in the front and used it as a basket to carry 10-15 rag balls for my assault. I threw open the door and came out slinging rag balls. As I scanned the shop from one technician to the next, looking for targets, my eyes locked on an unexpected target.

My father had chosen that moment to step into the shop to check on the work being done. I could not believe my eyes. I was completely frozen in shock. Of course, he had a pretty unusual look on his face as well. After what seemed like 5 minutes, he pointed at me and told me to meet him in his office.

I won’t take any more time describing how I felt or the way I walked as I headed to his office (after dumping the rag balls in the trash can!). I think you can imagine how the rest of the scene looked. It was not pretty, though the technicians did get the last laugh!

Have Boldness when Jesus Appears

Why in the world would I tell this story?  

What could this disaster possibly have in common with Christian faith and work?

Glad you asked!  

In 1 John 2:28, we find a very similar description of what it could look like for us at Jesus’ appearing. It appears there are two possibilities for our reaction on that day:

So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 John 2:28

I don’t know about you, but I have had one too many times when I was ashamed at my father’s appearing. I will never forget that moment or the surprise, embarrassment, and shame that I felt. John mentions this same shame as a possible reaction to the time when Jesus appears. He also mentions another option!

John says we can “have boldness” when Jesus appears!  

Does that excite you? Does it cause you to ask HOW that can happen?  

It certainly gets my attention!

How to be Bold

Let’s take a look at another passage that I believe gives us insight into HOW we can have boldness when Jesus appears. In fact, this same passage is found twice, in Matthew 24:44-51 as well as Luke 12:40-48. Here is the critical part for this discussion:

Who then is a faithful and sensible slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded.

Matthew 24:45-46

If we want to have boldness when Jesus appears, then we must be doing the work that He gave us to do. As Christian business leaders, our work looks a little different from that of others. In order for us to do the work He gave us to do (and have the boldness we seek), we must follow these three steps:

Step #1 – Determine Your “Household”

I believe you and I have been given a specific “household” and we are put in charge of it. This household is larger than just our immediately family. For Christian business leaders, this household includes those that make up our business – the employees, their families, and even those in our community.  

If we are to do the work He gave us to do, we must know who it is that is in our household. The number of people will be different for you than it is for me, but it is not the number that matters. Just look at the Parable of the Talents to see this truth. What matters is that we know our household and are faithful to it.

Step #2 – Give Them Their “Food”

Assuming you have defined your household, then the next step is to give them their “food.” While I believe this food also refers to meeting physical needs, I believe the more important responsibility we have is to tell them about the Bread of Life (John 6:35).  

We are not in business for the sole purpose of providing for our family’s well-being and comfort. We have been given a household to watch over and to feed. If you want to have the boldness (and not the shame) that John describes when Jesus appears, then you need to make sure you are doing this work.

Step #3 – Remain Diligent

I will not attempt to break down and interpret the part of the passage that follows in Matthew 24:48-51. Whatever you find that to mean in this context, it is not pretty. It is clear that we are not to grow tired of our work and turn to the wickedness described. If you read about the third servant in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:24-30), it also clear that doing nothing at all is just as bad.

The only option that leads to having boldness when Jesus appears is to remain diligent in our work. There will be times when running a business as a platform for Christian ministry will be frustrating, tiring, and downright scary. In these times, we are to turn to the One who gave us this work and draw the necessary strength from Him.

Follow these three steps in your business and you too can have boldness when Jesus appears! That is a feeling I look forward to experiencing!

Photo by UberImages / iStock

Defining Success

If you look up “success” in the Bible, you will not find a neat and clean definition.  The average concordance will not give you the answer you are looking for.  Instead, you have to dig a little deeper to find a working definition of Biblical success.  Once you see it, I think you will agree that it is clear.

I believe the clearest illustration we can use to define Biblical success is found in a familiar story told by Jesus.  This story is found in Matthew 25:14-30.  It is called the Parable of the Talents and you have probably heard it told and mentioned in sermons many times over.  What you might not have realized is how directly it applies to your business.  

Please take a moment and go read it right now.  It is worth the refresher.

Core Message

The idea is that Jesus (the Master) has given us (His servants) a number of skills, resources, etc (talents) and expects us to invest them while He is gone.  When He returns, He will hold us accountable for our results.  He will reward us if we have wisely invested these resources and achieved solid returns.  If we have not, the results are not good.

If you think about it, what kind of returns do you think Jesus expects?  In this parable, He is not clear.  If we look elsewhere, I think we can figure it out.  

First of all, God already owns everything on the earth.  All of the land, buildings, money, etc. is already His. This being the case, I do not think He is asking for us to gain any of that as our returns.  Worldly success is after these things.  Biblical success is something different altogether.

Looking elsewhere, we see that Jesus repeatedly commands us to reach out to others.  He tells us that we are to be salt and light .  We are compared to a city on a hill.  This line of thinking culminates in His Great Commission to us when He tells us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).  In fact, if you think about it, the ONLY things God does not yet possess are the souls of those who have not yet come to Him.

It is clear to me that these souls are the returns we are to seek as we invest our skills, resources, etc. in this life.  God does not want anyone to reject Him, but for everyone to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9 ).  He calls us to be ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), drawing everyone to Him!  We are to conduct ourselves in every area of our lives in a way that makes this happen (1 Peter 2:12).  

Change your Investment Strategy

Now that we understand that Jesus is after souls, we can adjust our efforts accordingly.  We can restructure our “portfolio” of investments in a way that is more likely to achieve these returns.  We can direct our efforts away from the pursuit of the world’s definition of success and toward Biblical success.

Some may question this path.  I understand.  It is not an easy one.  Sometimes the path is not clear.  Other times there are huge obstacles on this path.  The world certainly does not reward those who stick to this path.

At the same time, in taking this path, we are following the teachings of Jesus.  I cannot think of a better one to follow.  We are also trading temporary gains for those that are eternal.  We are trading rewards that are vulnerable to thieves, rust, and moths (Matthew 6:19-20) for those that are not!

I encourage you to embrace the path toward Biblical success.  Yes, you will have to run your business differently.  You will make different decisions, some that will cause those around you to call you crazy.  However, if you will keep your eye on the eternal prize, I am convinced you will not have any regrets.

Photo by LoveTheWind / iStock

First, I want you to think of all of the possible pursuits you could explore in a lifetime.  This list could include common pursuits such as business, family, fitness, adventure, etc.  You could also add others like philanthropy, healthcare, and even religion.  This list is essentially endless.

Which of these are pursuits that are part of your life?  Why have you chosen them?  What value do you think is created by pursuing them?  If you were to look back hundreds of years from now, what value do you think you will see in your pursuit of these interests?

That last question is a tough one, isn’t it?  

An Eternal Purpose = An Eternal Impact

Here is my point.  I believe the only value we will see in looking back at these pursuits will be the eternal impact we had on other people during the course of these activities.  In other words, unless there is an eternal purpose to these pursuits, I question whether there is any value at all.

So, let’s take our businesses as an example.  If I am pursuing business for the sole purpose of profiting my family and raising my quality of life, what value will I see in that hundreds of years from now?  To make this picture more vivid, what value will I see in this pursuit as I lay on my deathbed?

Instead, assume I am pursuing business for the eternal purpose of glorifying God, pointing others to Him, what value will I see hundreds of years from now?  Sure, there will still be benefits during my lifetime here.  There will likely even be benefits to my family after I exit this life.  But the true value will be in the lives impacted and pointed to God and an eternal relationship with Him.

Will anything else really matter hundreds of years from now?

Creating Value

I think you could follow this same line of thinking with any of the pursuits on the endless list of possibilities.  When it all boils down, I believe that the only value we can create that will truly last is eternal impact on the lives around us.  I believe Scripture backs this up.

Consider 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.  Paul basically says that any work we do in this life that cannot survive God’s fire will burn up.  That includes anything physical. At the same time, anything we have done in this life that is eternal will survive His fire and we will be rewarded for it.  

I really do not think there is any way around this.  

Take any pursuit on our list.  If you change the “purpose” of it, you can add value.  Pursue sports for the purpose of interacting with others to point them to God and you are adding value.  Pursue family so you can train them in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6) and you are adding value.

Take any of these pursuits and do them for an eternal purpose and you are adding value that will remain even after hundreds of years.  If you remove the eternal purpose from any of these pursuits – even religion – then you remove all of its value.  

As a result of my thinking along this line, here is my formula:

[Any Pursuit] – Eternal Purpose = 0 Value

Paul understood this formula when he wrote his letter to the Colossians.  Here are his words:

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

Do the Math

I encourage you to pray about this as it relates to your own life – especially in your business.  If you are fully committed to leveraging your business for eternal returns, then you will be amazed at how God will use it and the influence that comes with it.

Employees, their families, your customers…the list goes on.  These are all people that you can impact for eternity through the operation of your business. Follow Paul’s advice and begin running your business “enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men…”  Like he said, if you do this you can KNOW “that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord.”

You serve the Lord Christ.

Photo by Grufnar / iStock

Well, if you have made any of these types of decisions yourself, you are probably saying that you do not yet have enough information to make a solid decision, right?  I would agree, so let me fill in some of the blanks.

First, the Details

The upgrade in question is the replacement of the entire lighting system for our display lots.  With our group of automobile dealerships, we have a display area that contains 600-700 vehicles at any given time.  The lighting system that currently covers this area is aged and inefficient.  We also have frequent issues with malfunctioning timers and security lights.

The need is real, but at the same time our current lighting system IS working.  We are not in a situation where we are being forced to make a decision.  We could continue on this path for the foreseeable future if necessary.

As for the cost of the upgrade, it is over six figures, which represents a significant investment for a business our size.  Regardless of our method of payment, this investment and its associated depreciation will increase our expenses for a period.

Reaching a Decision

What would you say if I told you at this point that I declined to complete the upgrade due to the immediate costs involved?

Those of you with any knowledge of the costs and energy savings associated with LED lighting systems would probably say that I made a poor decision.  You are probably aware that my utility expense would likely be cut in half from the moment the new lights came on.  You would probably encourage me to take the time to look out further into the future and compare long-term costs between the two systems, right?

If this was your thought, you are correct.  When looking at this lighting system upgrade from a 30 day perspective, it makes no sense at all.  The numbers do not even come close to adding up.  When you extend your perspective to one or two years, the numbers get closer, but the current system is still cheaper.

When you finally look even further, expanding your perspective to 3-5 years and looking for long term results, this lighting system upgrade begins to make sense.  For this reason, I actually did make the decision to move forward and upgrade the system.  I did this because it is common sense in business to take a longer view when making decisions.

How Far Ahead are You Looking?

If this is the case, then why is it so difficult sometimes for us to see things from an eternal perspective?  Why do we so often make business decisions from a short-term perspective, refusing to use our business as a platform for ministry due to the short-term costs?

If it made sense to ignore the 30 day picture and instead focus on the long term results between the two lighting systems, why would anyone do the opposite when it comes to your faith and business?  Why would anyone focus on the fear of short-term financial loss or lawsuit or whatever else keeps them from integrating their faith into the business?

When it comes to our faith in this world, we are told to maintain an eternal perspective.  We are told that this earth is not our home, but that we are strangers here.  The Bible says that we are to focus on God’s promises for our eternal safety and be willing to accept loss here and now.

We make these decisions every day in our business dealings.  These decisions seem easy in context, right?  So why is it so tough to consider long term results and make the same kinds of decisions regarding our faith in God?

Focus on Long Term Results

My hope and desire is to see Christian business owners everywhere begin to look at their businesses from an eternal perspective, using them as tools to point others toward an eternity with God.  I believe God wants us to stop looking at them with eyes focused only on the 30 day results, instead making decisions that bring significant eternal results.

Pray today that God would open your eyes to how you can expand your perspective.  Ask Him to show you how to begin leveraging your business for these eternal returns.

Are you already viewing your business from an eternal perspective?

How do you make decisions like this when it comes to cost & benefits over 100 years?

Do you struggle with some of the shorter term costs of integrating your faith into your business?

Photo by JANIFEST/iStock

Eternal Perspective Costs

Her exact words follow:

I hope in this series you also will cover the “cost” of making decisions with more than a temporal perspective, because as sure as breath – there is a cost involved.

Bernice, you are absolutely right about that! There is a definite cost involved in making eternal decisions in a temporal world. Sometimes this cost is not immediately evident. Other times there is not a delay at all. Either way, there are costs. As Bernice states, you can be sure of that.

Eternal Perspective Decisions?

Let’s first attempt to determine what we are really talking about when we say we should make decisions from an eternal perspective and how it applies to a business. As with many topics like this, we can see it on several levels.

The first thing most people think about when trying to apply this thinking to a business environment is integrity. For example, a business customer sends you payment for an invoice…twice. Do you send it back or cash it and wait for them to ask about it?

This decision on what to do with the second check can be considered from an eternal perspective – what decision would honor God? It could also be considered from a temporal perspective – what is best for me in the short-term?

More Significant Decisions

While it is true that these kinds of decisions fit into this eternal perspective category (and carry a cost), the decisions I really want to dig into are a little more significant. Instead of fairly simple integrity decisions, I want to look more at vision and strategy decisions.

Folks, I have said repeatedly in various ways on this blog that I believe your job, your business, or your leadership position is a gift AND responsibility from God. I believe, just like in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), that He expects us to invest them for eternal return – return that survives the fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Eternal vs. 30 Day Return

In order for us to gain an eternal return, we must make our decisions from an eternal perspective. If investing in the stock market and hoping for a long-term gain, you do not buy stock in a company that only offers a quick return with no likelihood of long term growth. The same is true in making business decisions from an eternal perspective.

Rather than running your business solely by the numbers and the promise of a 30-day return, the one making decisions from an eternal perspective tries to determine the effects of his decision 1,000 years or more from now. If I decide to…(fill in the blank), how will that impact the eternity of my employees, customers, or members of the community?

Walk As Jesus Did

More specifically, as Bible-believing disciples of Christ, our charge is to walk as He did. In doing that, we are to seek and save that which is lost. We are to go and make more disciples, teaching them about him. If our business decisions are not in sync with these responsibilities, then we are making bad decisions. It is as simple as that.

Short Term Is Rough!

The problem with this line of thinking is that the short-term can get rough when you are choosing the long term return. Financial results may suffer in the short term. Business associates may abandon you because they do not understand your reasoning and feel threatened. Employees may choose to leave to chase higher short term returns because they are not viewing things the same way you are. For more examples of these costs, see my post on 10 Pitfalls.

Worse than that, close friends or family members may see you as crazy. Losing the support of people you count on for strength can often be one of the more painful costs of making eternally minded decisions. Being unable to adequately explain your reasoning to someone who simply cannot see the same spiritual truths as you can – that is a tough pill to swallow.

What Is The Upside?

Enough of the downside! What is the upside to making decisions from an eternal perspective? Fortunately, there is plenty to talk about! All we have to do is look to Scripture for that!

First, look back at 1 Corinthians 3:14. While the fire will test our work, all that survives the fire will bring reward! Those things that survive will not be the short-term results we sought during our brief lives on earth. Instead, it will be the relationships with people that we pointed toward Christ.

Now take a look at Matthew 6:19-20. If we seek the treasures here on earth, they will not last. Whether it is due to moths, rust, or thieves, these treasures will not last. However, our heavenly treasure (as a result of eternal minded decisions) will last!

Finally, look at John 16:33. Jesus promises His followers that we will have trouble in this world. It is guaranteed! At the same time, He says that He has overcome this world! The costs of making decisions from an eternal perspective, though real, will not last long. Jesus will wipe them out!

Are you making decisions from an eternal perspective?

Are you experiencing the costs we are discussing here?

What drives you to continue making these decisions?

Photo by anyaberkut/iStock

Purpose Of Business

It is my belief that the overriding priority of our businesses (as well as our very lives) is to bring glory to God. Through whatever we say and do while living out our lives here on this earth, our purpose is to glorify Him. In layman’s terms, we are to do everything with the purpose of pointing others toward him (like my silhouettes).

In an effort to return to a more consistent and meaningful quiet time in the mornings, I once worked through a reading plan called, “30 Days with Jesus.” This plan took me through segments of the Gospels, focusing on the actions and words of Jesus. If you have never done something like this, I highly recommend it.

In the process of going through this plan, I came across a story that was familiar to me, but had never really spoken to me like it did this time. This story is found in Mark 5:1-20.

Jesus And The Pigs

This story tells about a well-known demon-possessed crazy man that lived in the tombs cut into the side of a mountain area. In the past, many people had attempted to restrain this man, likely in hopes of helping, protecting, or healing him. Unfortunately, they were never able to restrain him for long.

As the story goes, Jesus shows up and the man immediately comes out to meet Him. After quick interaction, Jesus casts the demons out of him and into some pigs that were feeding on the nearby hillside.

Though these pigs proceed to run themselves into the sea and are drowned, the once-possessed man is now healed and in his right mind! There is now cause for celebration!

Angry At Jesus?

However, when the townspeople show up after hearing about this, they do not celebrate the healing of the well-known crazy man. Instead, they are angry at the loss of their pigs and ask Jesus to leave their area.

The Scripture does not tell us if the townspeople were excited about the healing or not. I have to believe they would have celebrated if it were not for the loss of their pigs, don’t you think?

Which Is More Valuable?

I guess it boiled down to the fact that they saw the loss of their pigs as outweighing the gain of the healed man. I will also assume their anger was not due to relationships they had with the pigs!

Instead, the anger of the townspeople was most likely due to the immediate monetary value of the pigs or the revenue stream they represented. Evidently, they saw more value in a herd of pigs than they saw in the life of a man.

Application To Christian Business?

Is there a correlation between this story and Christian ministry in business?

Are there people that view the profitability of a business to be more important than the value of a life (or lives) impacted for eternity? Assuming this is true, do these people represent the majority?

Unfortunately, I think so.

Believe = Behave?

In fact, I would even venture to say that many of us are guilty of behaving this way at times. Do you think so?

Keep in mind that I did not say we necessarily would believe this way. If I asked you which was more valuable – the life of a man or the profitability of your business – you would likely say the life of the man.

I think most Christian business owners would have a hard time arguing against that.

At the same time, I know I am guilty of behaving as if I believe the opposite at times. I do not do this intentionally, but I do it just the same. Maybe you can think of times you have behaved the same way.

Maybe an example has just come to mind.

Ultimate Purpose

Whatever the case, it is my strong opinion that we cannot continue to behave this way. There is no question in my mind that God has called me to run our family business in a way that produces excellence AND profitability.

At the same time, I believe His ultimate purpose is for the business to glorify Him. If that means our business is one day destroyed for His name, then I am fine with it.

Constant Awareness

More likely, it will mean I need to constantly be aware of my small decisions from day to day. I need to be aware of those times when I am placing a greater value on profit than I am on changing a life.

It is in those instances that I need to rethink my approach. Maybe both profit and life change can happen at the same time with that particular situation – maybe not. Either way, I need to choose life change.

That is the stuff that brings glory to him!

What decisions have you faced along this line?

Did you choose life change or profitability?

Are the choices always clear?

photo by Sam Michel; original post date July 14, 2013