Death is a stark reality that demands a response. Not responding, we work without much understanding of how our work connects to the bigger reality than just the here and now. In other words, we simply work to make a living—to survive until we die. We see little, if any, connection between our work and the ultimate realities of the universe. Hopefully, this is not satisfying to you; it isn’t to me. So how do we view work beyond the tactical reality of making money?

To live in light of the reality of death, may I suggest four basic business skills we must recognize and embrace.

1. Recognize that God is executing a plan. This plan was put into place at Creation (Genesis 1:26–28) and will continue until the New Creation (Revelation 21–22). Theologians call this plan the metanarrative—the overarching story of history. Everything that has existed, exists now, and will exist plays a role. The metanarrative is multigenerational and involves all activities in the universe including work. Furthermore, because the Creator is sovereign over his creation, he works all things in accordance with his plan (Ephesians 1:11). In addition, God is personal and strategic (Isaiah 46:9–11). This means that every human being has a role to play in God’s metanarrative.

2. Apply the C4 principle. God gave us the C4 principle to help us find our roles in the metanarrative. C4 stands for Calling, Character, Capability, and Commissioning. By faithfully applying this principle, you will be able to discover your role in the workplace in accordance with the metanarrative.

3. Strategically, organizations must align with God’s purpose. Organizations are groups of individuals who join together to find and fulfill the mission of the organization. It is the responsibility of each organization's management team to discern God's purpose for the organization and strategically align the organization's mission with God’s purpose.

4. Tactically, individuals must fulfill their C4 purpose in their assigned organizations. Organizations provide the context for individuals to fulfill their C4 purpose. When individuals fulfill their purpose, organizations can fulfill their role in the metanarrative.

Management teams that understand and properly utilize these skills live in the reality of Matthew 6:33. They are seeking first the kingdom of God, his rule through his metanarrative, and they are doing it righteously (in his way) by using the C4 principle along with strategic and tactical alignment. The fruit of living accordingly is provision—profit.

Here is your tip. The four basic business skills are recognizing and embracing the metanarrative, using C4 to find each individual’s role, strategically aligning the organization to fulfill its role in the metanarrative, and tactically aligning each individual to fulfill his or her role in the organization. Practicing these basic skills will help bring organizations and individuals into alignment with the will and ways of God. The fruit of this alignment will be provision (profit) because God always funds his will done his ways.