business

Trained in God’s Family Business

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , ,

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”   Matthew 13:52

During my career, I had the opportunity to meet key leaders of various businesses. Some of them inherited their companies from parents and grandparents. But each had a similar story to tell. They all would state nothing was given to them without a heavy cost of lessons learned along the way. Their stories showcased the work ethic and discipline they faced each day. They learned the business from the bottom-up.

I changed their names, but the situations are accurate.

Adam started working in his dad’s company the summer he turned sixteen. He was shy, reserved, and quiet. His dad gave me the honors to find something for him to do in the accounting department. We tried him in various roles until we discovered he was a natural working with spreadsheets. Today he is the president and owner of this major national real estate company.

Robert graduated from U of M with a degree in business. His father owned a large national investment company. Instead of bringing him into the company, dad worked out a deal with his son. The son would have a small, closet size office within his organization but not work for him. Instead, his son started his own company. A one-person operation. Dad would only support him with advice and counseling when asked. He drew no salary and lived on what he made. Over the next several years, he learned the trade from the bottom-up. He was the receptionist, janitor, accountant, sales manager, and CEO. The long days and hard work paid off over time. Today he is the CEO of his company which is the largest private-owner in the industry.

There are dozens more examples I could share with you. They all have one common theme. They all took the opportunity in front of them and paid their dues. They learned and grew in preparation of leadership. They all knew when starting out they were not ready to seize the mantle of running the company. But they also knew as they mastered the material in front of them, they would one day be ready for the CEO role. They all started at the bottom of the ladder and worked their way up.

Is not that the same for us Christ-followers? God’s Kingdom is Father-Son-Spirit’s family business. Today, HIS disciples are being prepared to lead and serve under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom on earth today. We learn to govern ourselves. To serve others. And produce good work for the glory of God. We do so knowingly we are being trained for greater responsibilities into eternity (Rev 5:10). The work may seem small in our eyes at the moment. But those little tasks and small choices build upon each other into larger tasks and choices (Matt 25:21).

I always enjoyed Dallas Willard’s line, “Christ-followers are being trained to reign.” Genesis one and the last chapter of Revelation reveals this mandate for humanity. God wants life to flourish and humanity to govern the earth. As we operate under the Kingdom of God, God’s family business, the more we experience the treasures of HIS domain.

Yes, life is a learning process preparing one for eternity with Jesus. We all start somewhere at the bottom. But we all have a chair waiting for us at the table with Jesus in HIS family business. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, put forth the effort, and allow God’s grace cover us as we learn the family business.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Is Jesus the Core of Your Business?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Colossians 1:15-17

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

At the end of teaching each course, I leave students with one thought to carry with them throughout their business career. That paradigm is to always remember Jesus Christ is the core of your business.

In our culture today, people are taught that the primary purpose of business is to make money. Yet when profit becomes the main thing, greed explodes.  Then carnal desire rises to prominence. Afterward the fall from pride leads to pain and suffering for all stakeholders holding the last card. How many people have lost their retirement investments by someone who built a business upon smoke and mirrors? Business without moral discipline causes greater problems than if the business never began.

Even when businesses are economically successful, they may struggle with internal division. Labor and management battle between themselves. The end result is low morale and an unengaged culture.

Business, like lives, need to be built on a strong foundation to survive the storms of life. Otherwise, the economic community may collapse into ruin from the sheer weight of poor decisions.

Yet as Christ-followers we are privileged to know the reality of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians to emphasize the important position Jesus holds over all creation. And as HIS servant, we now enjoy the honor of participating with HIM as stewards of HIS domain.

So if you are given the opportunity to operate a business, Christ’s teachings will give you greater insight into how best to serve your customer.

No, following Christ does not guarantee a successful venture. The weak link will always be you, me or outside uncontrollable events. But allowing HIM to lead you, coach you, and discipline you, will prepare you for eternity. Isn’t this HIS primary macro purpose for us? The business is simply a vehicle to provide for your family, other families, and the community while glorifying HIM through good work.

Yes, when Jesus Christ is the core of your business, you allow your faith to support HIM and serve your customers as HIS witness. The byproduct is freedom to live your faith. The opportunity is to flourish within HIS creation. And real fulfillment is found serving others with HIM.      

So always remember: Jesus Christ is the core of your business.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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Wealth Creation Manifesto

Dr. Mike Ministry, Think About That... , , , , ,
Isaiah 48:17 (NASB)
Thus, says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.

wealth2

BAM is a global Christian ministry focused on bringing people, communities, and nations out of poverty through business. BAM stands for Business as Mission. Recently they outlined their manifesto. They did in my opinion such an outstanding job summarizing God’s purpose for wealth that I just copied word by word to share for the benefit of others. The link to their paper is below.

Affirmations:

1. Wealth creation is rooted in God the Creator, who created a world that flourishes with abundance and diversity.

 2. We are created in God’s image, to co-create with Him and for Him, to create products and services for the common good.

 3. Wealth creation is a holy calling, and a God-given gift, which is commended in the Bible.

 4. Wealth creators should be affirmed by the Church, and equipped and deployed to serve in the marketplace among all peoples and nations.

 5. Wealth hoarding is wrong, and wealth sharing should be encouraged, but there is no wealth to be shared unless it has been created.

 6. There is a universal call to generosity, and contentment is a virtue, but material simplicity is a personal choice, and involuntary poverty should be alleviated.

 7. The purpose of wealth creation through business goes beyond giving generously, although that is to be commended; good business has intrinsic value as a means of material provision and can be an agent of positive transformation in society.

 8. Business has a special capacity to create financial wealth, but also has the potential to create different kinds of wealth for many stakeholders, including social, intellectual, physical and spiritual wealth.

 9. Wealth creation through business has proven power to lift people and nations out of poverty.

 10. Wealth creation must always be pursued with justice and a concern for the poor, and should be sensitive to each unique cultural context.

 11. Creation care is not optional. Stewardship of creation and business solutions to environmental challenges should be an integral part of wealth creation through business.

http://matstunehag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Wealth-Creation-Manifesto-v-4.0-23-April-17.pdf

Wealth is the byproduct of providing services or products for the satisfaction of others. As stewards of God’s Kingdom on earth, our responsibility includes investing to help others flourish. As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish today to eat, and you have to do it again tomorrow. Invest and teach a man to gather his own fish, he will eat today and tomorrow. Multiply the process with others and the entire community will do the same.

Go and Do Likewise…

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
*  Great Business Emulates a Good God
*  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

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