Why Should Christians Start Businesses?
Things look bleak, and as Christians we can get stuck in a rut thinking that the worst is always yet to come. But we should not let our emotions or our micro view of what is going on around us let us forget the reality of it all. That is, Christ has been given all authority, the Son of Man has been presented to the Ancient of Days, and as Daniel 7:14 says, “to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Because of this reality we should not retreat, but see what the Lord is doing in this time and take advantage of what He has given us. He has given us a time where the light is seen brightly and an opportunity to build and start businesses based on righteousness while the rest of society is worried. With our building of new things, the people around us will see the Kingdom of God and we will be able to give hope to those who are in need of it by proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is here and Christ is a savior for all who believe in Him.
Motivation
So where does this motivation to build come from? I believe that the Great Commission Christ gave His people will be fulfilled. Not anytime soon, but over time we will see the nations discipled.
I believe this because Christ has all authority, and if He has all authority then his Kingdom will prevail. The mission that He has given to the church — “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” — will succeed. How could it not? Who is stronger than the One who has all authority?
Therefore, we should then build to glorify God and see His Kingdom advance; knowing that truth, how could we not?
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is what Christ tells His disciples after He has risen from the dead and before He ascends into heaven to sit at the Father’s right hand.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20 ESV)
The thing that stands out to me is that we are to go and make disciples of all nations; so not only make disciples in all nations, but rather that nations will be discipled, i.e. they will be Christian nations. I am not saying that everyone will be saved, but that when someone looks at the government of the nations and their values, the only conclusion will be: that nation obeys Christ. Again, this is not a tomorrow thing, it happens over a long period of time.
Then, put this with what Isaiah writes in Isaiah 9:6–7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,… (Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV)
By the language that is used here, the nations will stream to and honor Christ, and His government will increase. The way that Isaiah 9:6–7 plays out is through Matthew 28:18–20 — the Great Commission.
What Does Discipling Nations Look Like?
According to Matthew 28, discipling nations looks like baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching the nation to observe all that Christ has commanded. What that looks like for an individual is applying that to the people God has put in your life.
Jesus discipled by teaching, but also by showing his 12 disciples how to live righteously. We can do that by building businesses and conducting business in a way that reflects who Christ is and honors Him. Instead of doing shady business we are righteous in our dealings and keep to our word. This type of business is something the world seems to know less and less about, and when they see it done in the name of Christ, it will have an amazing effect.
Therefore, as we build, take every thought captive for Christ, and in everything we do, do it under the lordship of Christ. It is by His standard that we build, and when we build to that standard it is inevitable that the world around us will begin to be discipled and God will begin to save more and more of His people.
Conclusion
Building businesses does not directly save people, but allows people to see the Kingdom of God in action when you do business with righteousness. And for a society to be changed it must start with the individual — and that individual loving Christ due to the saving grace of God; once that happens, that transformed heart will begin to work outward into society. That is the only way that culture will change. So, as you build, preach the gospel — the whole Gospel — baptize, and disciple, because:
…of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,… (Isaiah 9:7 ESV)
“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,…” Acts 17:6