Business Tips from a Biblical Worldview

And He said to them, "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49 NKJV)

The pedestrian view of work is simple. Work is utilitarian; it’s a vehicle for workers to make money so they can live as they wish. Little consideration is given to those served, which means their value proposition will not be delivered with excellence. Just consider your own experience. Is the norm truly stellar-quality products and services or do you find mediocrity is more the norm?

Delivering world-class value requires, among other things, commitment and sacrifice. Those working primarily for money are committed to making money not sacrificing money. Often, however, money must be sacrificed or deferred to the greater goal of delivering excellent service and quality. The only way a worker will sacrifice money to deliver value is for the worker to have a greater motivation than money.

The best motivation for delivering great value is to see work in the context of the meta-narrative—the overarching story of history. The end game for all of us is physical death and then accountability. Yes, even true Christians, those who have the gift of eternal life, will give an account of their lives before God (Romans 14:10). This account does not determine their entrance into eternal life, which is solely effected by the work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). Rather accountability relates to their responsibility to obey the commands of Christ (Matthew 28:20).

What we do in life does have meaning. If our motives are wrongly driven by money, we will not work with excellence as we should (Colossians 3:23). Consequently, we will not be able to give a good account. The only right motive is obedience to and alignment with God as illustrated by the life of Jesus (John 17:4). In other words, a successful life is lived according to the will and ways of God, which is marked by obedience to the commandments of Christ (1 John 2:3–6).

God has a will for each person, which includes the person’s workplace calling. It is therefore incumbent on each person to find and fulfill the purpose of God in every area of life, including the workplace (Ephesians 2:10). When people work in alignment with the call of God, they will work as sent people, that is, people who have a profound sense of being on a divinely ordained mission.

How does a person gain that sense of being sent? Scripture provides a principle that I call C4 (calling, character, capability, and commissioning) to guide us into the will of God for our lives. Finding what you have C4 to do in the workplace is a key to finding the purpose of God for your life. And when you find it, your heart will sing (Exodus 35:30—36:2); you will function as a sent person whose motivation is not money but obedience to the Master. Only these people will consistently deliver world-class value to those they serve.

Here is your business tip. A key to preparation for individual success is the conviction of being sent. To build excellent organizations, management must build with people who have a profound sense of the call of God on their lives and are called to be part of the organization. Such people will have C4 to work in their respective roles. They will work with a pure motive of obedience to God and will therefore display a sense of mission and passion in delivering world-class value to those the organization serves. A culture built with people who understand they are sent will bring life and prosperity to all and glory to God. This is true success both individually and organizationally.

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