- Chapter 1: The Theological Context for Business Ownership
- Chapter 2: Gaining Freedom from the Bondage of Sin
- Chapter 3: Christian Stewardship
- Chapter 4: Partnerships
- Chapter 5: Advisors and Wisdom
- Chapter 6: Engaging the Unseen World
- Chapter 7: Hearing the Voice of God
- Chapter 8: Fulfilling God’s Purposes for Business
Our work on this earth is preparation for our reign with Christ in eternity. Living in a covenant relationship with God that is characterized by faithfulness, perseverance and loving presence is essential to our preparation. Understanding how the unseen realm is connected to our physical world furthers our covenant relationship with God. We also value our faith more than wealth. These elements are the context in which we operate as Christian business owners and all this is discussed in Chapter 1, Theological Context for Business Ownership.
We won’t be able to live a life of Christian stewardship if we’re living in bondage to sin. Hence, Chapter 2, Gaining Freedom from the Bondage of Sin, discusses both the theology of freedom as well as some practical advice on how to find freedom.
As one is becoming free from the bondage of sin, we’re able to start looking seriously at faithfully living a life of stewardship. But we need to understand what stewardship really is, so in Chapter 3, Christian Stewardship, I discuss (what I consider to be) five foundational passages on stewardship. Whereas Chapter 1 forms the context for Christian stewardship, Chapter 3 forms the foundation.
As we live our lives from a stewardship world-view, we will need to be selective in our business relationships. Hence, in Chapter 4, Partnerships, I discuss the thorny issue of forming partnerships, being unequally yoked and looking at the elements that lead to partnerships turning sour.
In Chapter 5, Advisors and Wisdom, I’ll dive into giving and receiving advice as a Christian business owner. I’ll suggest that we all need trusted advisors in our lives, that churches need to be intentional about mentoring new entrepreneurs and that we need to care for our physical bodies if we’re going to be available to “pass it on” as we age.
Now, as we live for Jesus Christ in the marketplace, this will not go unnoticed by the spiritual forces who oppose God. So in Chapter 6, Engaging the Unseen World, I’ll discuss a model of spiritual warfare that may surprise you. I’ll also face into the idea that getting out of balance is subtle, yet debilitating ways which the enemy uses to render us ineffective for the Kingdom.
Coupled with spiritual warfare and bleeding into day-to-day operations, is the notion of Hearing the Voice of God in decision-making, which is discussed in Chapter 7.
Finally, I wrap up this book by discussing what I consider to be the four core purposes of business: Products, People, Profits and Philanthropy. I’ll suggest, as a steward of God, that you should measure your business against these four purposes, and I’ll offer some questions to ask yourself as you attempt to build a measuring stick for each area. Remember, what gets measured is what gets done.
So, to recap, here’s a brief flow of this book:
- We align our life structures with eternity in mind and our covenant with God, so this means we need to…
- Become free from the bondage of sin, which will lead to…
- An ability to clearly understand our stewardship role with God, and thus…
- We will find ourselves managing our business relationships better and seeking sage advice from others, so that we can…
- Increasingly live for Christ in the marketplace, which means we’ll be opposed by spiritual forces, so…
- We’ll need to learn to hear the voice of God to fight these forces and make better day-to-day decisions so that we can…
- Fulfill God’s purposes for business and thus points the marketplace to Him.
If one were to personally apply this book’s outline, one could go from being a carnal, cussed business owner to being one who is on fire for Jesus Christ in the marketplace and is moving God’s kingdom forward.
