Your Business Is A Mission Field: How To Build A Business That Honors God

A lot of people think they have to be in full time ministry to make any real impact for God.

What if your business could be one of the best tools you have to grow His kingdom?

I have been a pastor. I have been a missionary. I grew up with a dad who was a senior pastor. When I came home from missions, I started a marketing agency that served a lot of ministries and nonprofits, and I ran it for nine years before I sold it. Then I moved into high ticket sales and leading sales teams. So I have seen both sides of this.

Here are five ways to build a business that honors God.

One. Your Business Is A Tool For The Kingdom

Ministry is not only preaching on Sunday. Your business can be a vehicle for impact.

Think about Joseph. Think about Daniel, who was a big leader in his day. Paul made tents while he preached. They were not just pastors. They led in business, politics and trade.

God gives us influence in the marketplace too. Serve people. Provide value. Be a light where you work.

Two. Money Is Not Evil

A lot of Christians look at money like it is the root of all evil. But greed is the problem, not money. Money itself is just a tool. In the hands of good people, it does a lot of good.

In Acts, believers pooled what they had to fund the mission. When your business is profitable, you can fund ministry, support missionaries, and be radically generous.

My family gives to Compassion International. We give to the Wounded Warriors, because my younger brother died at 21, when he was just about to go to the Navy SEALs. We give to our church and to other ministries. We want our resources to go toward the kingdom.

Three. Serve First, Sell Second

Jesus led with service. He met people's needs before He asked them to follow.

In business, the best way to grow is the same. Serve first. Give real value. Solve problems. When you do, doors start to open. I built my sales teams around putting people first and profit second. And that is how the money comes, too.

Four. Run Your Business With Integrity

You do not have to be cutthroat. You do not have to cut corners or compromise your faith to get by.

Proverbs says the integrity of the upright guides them. In a world full of shady tactics, be different. Your character and reputation will draw the right clients to you. I do not want to hurt anyone. I want to be faithful and have integrity, the way Jesus did.

Five. Do Not Think Small

This is the number one mistake I see Christian entrepreneurs make. They think small.

Many believe that success is selfish, or that putting themselves out there is wrong. But success lets you give more, serve more, and create more opportunity for others. God called you to be a light in the marketplace, not to hide your talents.

I tell my kids this. When people ask what job they want, I want them to think about how they can create jobs. That is a different way of thinking. When you ask how you can add more, give more and create more, you start finding solutions instead of just grinding.

Pick One To Start

• Your business is a tool for impact.
• Money is good when it is used for good.
• Serve first.
• Run with integrity.
• Do not think small.

God does not make small plans, and He has a plan for you. Pick one of these and start applying it this week.