“What does it look like to be a Christian in business today?”
I’ve said for a long time: I am a Christian who happens to be in business (not the other way around).
Speaking with thousands of entrepreneurs (and “believers” in the workplace) I am deeply concerned as I watch many walk around like thier faith is an afterthought or a footnote…
In today’s episode I interview Dr. Scott Adams the lead pastor at the Midtown location of Our Savior’s Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. Pastor Scott, his wife and I go way back (about 17 years!)
Dr. Adams has received a B.A. in Religious Studies from Regent University, a Masters of Religion and Masters of Divinity from Liberty Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Applied Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in New Testament from Radboud University, Netherlands.
So it’s safe to say he’s a smart cookie.
Recently he did a sermon on WITNESSING WHILE YOU WORK!
And it spawned this interview to discuss: what is God’s call for us in our work, how can we appropriately look at work/money/success in business, and how to we imitate Christ so that we can flesh out the Gospel to people in our careers.
But why do we struggle to share our faith in business?
I can think of a few reasons…
1. Ignorance of God’s call to their life
In Mark 16:15: “He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Matthew 28:19 Jesus implored “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
Somehow as a realtor, a Network Marketer, a nurse, a hairdresser… I think we gloss over these passsages and think: That’s for the apostles. That was for the disciples. Or in today’s day and age: that’s for those in fulltime ministry.
Gang, I have news for you.
If you are a Christian, you are in fulltime ministry.
Yes, while it’s true you may fip burgers or mow lawns or run a successful law office or web design business. That may be your labor… but your CALL is to make disciples.
Your call is to spread love, take care of the poor, sick, needy, and most importantly: build the Kingdom.
John 6:27 advises us “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
Acts 1:8″ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2. Apathetic to God’s call to their life
Jesus Christ didn’t come for us to be apathetic. His gift of salvation, totally unmerited and the power He has in our life should make us stand up, stand out, dance and sing REJOICING.
But in some seasons… I think we become spiritually flaccid. Wehther it be from trials, your distant from the Word, you’re not plugged into a church body. It’s easy to become apathetic and slothful.
Romans 12:11 “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
If you are feeling apathetic to the Great Commission… maybe this is a wonderful time to reassess any distractions that are taking time or energy away from your communion with Christ.
Digging back into the Word, starting a new Bible study, calling a Godly friend for support and to hear their testimony, listen to some new Sermons, start journaling daily as a prayer to God for His provision, promises and protection. Start praying again for those in your life who are lost.
Stock the embers and the fire will grow!
3. Fearful of God’s call to their life
On every page of this website, I share my husbands lifeverse from Matthew 16. I love it’s parrallels in Mark 8 and Luke 9.
Luke 9:26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of Him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
If we are ashmed of Him, so He will be ashamed of us in front of the Father.
We are called to work heartily for the Lord, not fo rmen (Col 3:23)
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Are we afraid of being outcasted? Losing business? Losing clients?
Afraid if we stand for truth and Jesus that we will be persecuted by society?
Well, we have a reason to think this… because it’ll probably happen.
But we are also called to perfect love, power and a sound mind and NOT to fear. We are not to worry about our provisions, but as we work for the Lord we know we will receive our inheritance (Col 2:23) and our plans will be established (Prov 16:3).
How can we be Christ-like in business?
1. Our Conduct
Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Colossians 1:10 “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Galations 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”
2. Our Character
In my direct sales business we have a phrase called “Everything Matters” and it’s a little catchy slogan we share weekly to encourage our teamies to know that integrity is everything.
As Believers, our words and our business dealings should be Christ like.
Nothing sly, nothing under the table, nothing overstated, nothing “over promised,” nothing exaggerated.
Honesty, purity, legally, always. #EverythingMatters
3. Our Caring
In order to witness and share God’s love… we must love His people.
1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
We should invest in relationships in our business. We should invite people into our home to see our authentic self.
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
My hope and prayer…
Is that this week begins a new shift in your heart. Whether you’ve been holding back your faith in business because of fear of what others might think. Whether you’ve been playing a “role” in order to monetize as much as you can from your clients and job. Whether you’ve been “lukewarm” in your marketplace ministry.
I pray you KNOW that God is the God of promotion. We are called to commit our work to Him, put our Trust in Him, and bring truth and light into an otherwise very dark world.
With love,
P.S. Looking to get step-by-step coaching on how to explode your following so you can make more sales and attract more clients/business partners on Instagram (without losing your soul?)
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