Consequences
That sounds acceptable until we look a little closer. Peeling back the superficial uncovers a significant problem. It is not what has happened, the problem is what has NOT happened that could and should have.
Had they built Christian principles instead of worldly values into their sales process, thousands of customers would have seen what it was like to be deal with an organization grounded in love and expressing itself in honesty and integrity. Those customers would have been touched by a subtle witness of what it means to be a Christian. But, unfortunately, they weren’t.
Had they built Christian principles instead of worldly values into their business, hundreds of employees would have seen that Christ is real and involved in the business and would have witnessed that impact on the lives of the owners and the actions of the principals. They would have seen acts of love and times of prayer. Christ would have become real to their employees, and many would have been
attracted to the peace and hope that they saw in their bosses. Unfortunately, they didn’t.
Had they been guided by the Holy Spirit in all their business decisions, the business’ reputation in the locality would have gradually developed, so that their Christian witness would have grown and impacted their colleagues, their vendors and neighbors. Instead of the message portrayed by the media that Christianity is for uneducated and ignorant people, they would have seen living proof of just the
opposite. Unfortunately, they didn’t.
Had they focused on building a business that had impact for the Kingdom, they would have gained visibility and influence in their industry among their colleagues. At the national associations, they would have been asked to be on the committees that made recommendations and decisions, and to sit on the panels at the national meetings. These would have given them opportunities to be a model and a
witness to the power of Christ in their businesses. Their influence would have spread nationally within their industry. Alas, they didn’t.
Had they seen their business as an extension of the Kingdom and their own anointed ministry the owners would look forward to that day when they meet Christ, and he may say to them,
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with the business that I created and put in your hands to manage. You have multiplied its impact and used it to extend my Kingdom. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
master’s happiness."
All of this could and should have come to pass, if the owners had seen their business as a ministry – an integral part of their Christian walk – instead of something separate and apart from...[Read More]
