Blog 10 - Bridging the Gap from Christian Business to Kingdom Impact

Hello, Beloveds! Welcome to Strategic Intercession, where we empower leaders through the transformative power of prayer. Today, we’re diving into a topic that could revolutionize your approach to business: Understanding business through a Kingdom perspective. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company, running a small startup, shaping the future in education, or influencing any sector of society, this episode is for you.

The gap between a Christian-owned business and a Kingdom business is wider than you might think – and bridging it could transform your impact. Your leadership role is actually a divine appointment to grow the Kingdom of God and increase God’s rule and reign upon this Earth.

Before we dive into the specifics of Kingdom business, let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture of Kingdom leadership across all sectors of society.

The Kingdom Leadership Mandate

In the realm of Kingdom leadership, the call to impact society extends far beyond the pulpit. God’s Kingdom commissions us, as Christian leaders, to carry the transformative power of God’s Kingdom into every sector of society – business, education, government, the arts, and beyond. Jesus's declarations throughout the Gospels and Acts show us that God’s Kingdom touches every aspect of human existence. The beauty of this truth lies in God's goodness and His desire to bring Life wherever He extends His influence.

These declarations weren’t just words; they brought tangible transformation—healing, restoration, provision, and empowerment. They provide us with a model for what it means to lead with Kingdom principles, which also have real, measurable effects in our world today.

Consider this: when Jesus declared healing over the sick, it wasn’t just about physical restoration. It was a demonstration of God’s power to bring wholeness to every area of life.

As leaders today, we have the authority to declare God’s Kingdom values over our spheres of influence.

Whether it's implementing ethical standards in our business practices or fostering environments of compassion and justice in our institutions, these are not just internal practices. They carry the transformative effect of Kingdom business potential that can revolutionize our approach to leadership and business strategy.

Here’s where it gets fascinating – transforming our spheres of influence is not a solo practice. God calls believers into Team play. Intercessors play a crucial role in this process. They stand in the gap, partnering with leaders to see these Kingdom declarations become reality.

When leaders and intercessors work together in unity, this amplifies the impact beyond what either could achieve alone. This partnership creates a powerful synergy, a sense of connection, and a shared mission, where Kingdom values are not only declared but can be established and sustained in every sector of society.

To make this happen, we need to equip both leaders and intercessors with insights from God’s Word and practical applications of what God’s Kingdom on earth looks like, as expressed through the leader’s sphere of influence. The declarations of Jesus give us a framework for what to pray for and declare over our respective domains.

We can declare God’s provision and wisdom in business, ensuring our organizations operate with integrity and generosity. In education, we might focus on declaring God’s truth and revelation to shape the minds and hearts of the next generation. While those examples are broad, in reality, the word of God has plenty to say that applies to the specifics of the challenges leaders face today as the Kingdom of Darkness opposes the expression of God’s goodness.

Integrating Kingdom principles into leadership isn’t always easy. It requires discernment, courage, and a steadfast commitment to God’s purposes. But here’s the promise: when we align ourselves with God’s declarations, we’ll see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Proverbs 30:5 asserts, “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.” As leaders who embrace this calling, our influence will extend far beyond our immediate context, touching lives and shaping culture in ways that reflect God’s heart. This alignment with God's declarations is not just a choice; it's a source of empowerment and purpose.

With this broader understanding of Kingdom leadership in mind, let’s focus on how these principles apply specifically to the business world.

Defining Kingdom Business

When we talk about Kingdom business, we’re entering territory far beyond simply being a Christian who owns a company. It’s a whole new paradigm that can revolutionize the way we approach leadership and business strategy.

The Christian-Owned Business Model

Let’s start by looking at what a typical Christian-owned business might look like. Often, these businesses operate much like any other, with the added element of being led by someone who identifies as a Christian. The owner might run the business with integrity and strong moral values, reflecting their personal faith in their decisions and actions.

These business owners often see their company as a gift from God and manage it responsibly. They might give generously to charitable causes, support political entities that align with their beliefs, or contribute to various ministries. However, the business itself may not have an explicit spiritual mission.

In these cases, faith may influence the owner’s decisions, ethics, and treatment of employees or customers, but it’s often kept in the background or viewed as a personal matter. The primary goal is usually still financial success and sustainability, with spiritual impact as a secondary consideration, if a consideration at all.

The Kingdom Business Difference

Now, let’s contrast this with a Kingdom business. The difference is like night and day!

The kind of believer who establishes or runs a Kingdom business lives in union with God. God is central to who they are; they find their purpose in Him, not their accomplishments or performance. For them, the question is not “How do I survive?" or “How can my business survive?” but rather, “How do I bring glory to God through my life and through my business pursuits?”

A Kingdom business has a distinct focus on advancing God's Kingdom and operating according to biblical values beyond personal or financial success. It's overtly focused on aligning its mission, operations, and outcomes with advancing God's Kingdom on Earth.

This goal goes beyond evangelization, ushering the goodness of Christ’s reign into the totality of its scope of responsibility. The key distinction is the intentional integration of faith into every aspect of the business to fulfill a higher, spiritual purpose.

The "Gospel of the Kingdom" refers to the central message that Jesus preached throughout His ministry. It focuses on the coming of God’s reign or rule over the world. When God has entrusted us with a sphere of influence, we can usher His rule over our domain.

Jesus emphasized that entering the Kingdom involved repentance, faith, and a radical reorientation of life under God’s rule. The Kingdom of God points to the restoration of God's authority over the world, which had been marred by sin. Through Jesus, God initiated the process of restoring creation to its intended order, where justice, peace, and righteousness prevail. Kingdom leadership maintains the vision and priority of Christ, serving as His ambassadors and stewarding our positions of responsibility with Kingdom intentionality and excellence.

In a Kingdom business, advancing God’s Kingdom is part of the core mission. The purpose goes beyond profit to impacting lives for Christ, serving others, and spreading biblical values.

The business owner or leadership team intentionally uses their platform to glorify God, influence others spiritually, and actively contribute to advancing God’s purposes on earth.

These businesses build upon biblical principles such as stewardship, generosity, servant leadership, and justice. These values aren’t just nice ideas – they are integral to the business’s DNA and purpose. The business places a strong emphasis on the well-being and development of both employees and customers. The business sees itself as a means to bless others and improve lives, not just turn a profit.

In a Kingdom business, leaders view resources like profits and influence as tools for God’s purposes. Leaders view stewardship as investing in eternal outcomes rather than just temporal success. Evangelism and discipleship are often integral to the business model, either directly or through the culture the business creates.

Let’s explore why the distinction between Christian-owned and Kingdom businesses matters.

The Biblical Foundation for Kingdom Business

To truly grasp the concept of Kingdom business, we need to understand Jesus’ mission and how it applies to our role as business leaders.

Jesus’ Multifaceted Purpose

Jesus’ purpose on Earth was multifaceted and profound. He came to offer salvation, reveal God’s nature, fulfill prophecies, teach about love and righteousness, destroy the works of the enemy, and ultimately conquer death and sin. But here’s the exciting part – His mission didn’t end when He ascended to heaven. He passed the baton to us!

Our Call to Continue Christ’s Work

God empowers us as believers to continue the work of Jesus in several key ways:

1. God calls us to fulfill the Great Commission, making disciples in all areas of life—including the business world.
2. He calls us to engage in spiritual warfare, overcoming evil with good in our spheres of influence.
3. God calls us to reflect Jesus’ light in a world of darkness, living lives that demonstrate His love and truth.
4. He commands us to love and serve others, extending Jesus’ mission of compassion and care.
5. God tasks us with bringing reconciliation and fostering peace in our communities and beyond.

This mission isn’t just for pastors or missionaries – it’s for every believer, including business leaders. Your business can be a powerful platform for fulfilling this mission, impacting lives for eternity.

We express this by living out a deep connection with Jesus, walking by His Spirit. To continue Jesus’ mission is to advance the Kingdom of God, a life-long, all-encompassing pursuit of Jesus expressed through every aspect of our lives: business, ministry, and home life.

Practical Applications of Kingdom Business Principles

Now that we understand the concept of Kingdom business, let’s look at how we can apply these principles practically.

Integrating Faith into Business Practices

In a Kingdom business, faith isn’t just a personal matter – it’s woven into the very fabric of the company. You’ll see this expressed through practices like:

• Developing a mission statement that explicitly includes Kingdom values
• Implementing ethical practices that go above and beyond legal requirements
• Creating a company culture that values and nurtures spiritual growth as well as emotional well-being

Viewing Resources as Kingdom Tools

Instead of seeing profits solely as a measure of success, Kingdom businesses view their resources as tools for God’s purposes. Examples of this include:

• Allocating a percentage of profits to Kingdom-advancing causes
• Using company influence to advocate for justice and positive social change
• Investing in employee development programs that include spiritual growth components

Embracing a Broader Definition of Success

Kingdom businesses measure success not only by financial results but also by their Kingdom impact. Metrics to consider include:

• Quality of life improvement. This refers to how the company enhances the lives of both its customers and employees through the value it provides.

Ask yourself: How is our business making a positive difference in people's daily experiences?

• Employee satisfaction. This goes beyond just a paycheck. It's about creating a work environment where people thrive, where policies honor their dignity and worth.

Ask yourself: Are our employees genuinely happy to come to work each day? Do they feel valued and supported in their personal and professional growth?

• Public acknowledgement of God. This isn't about being preachy, but rather openly attributing your success and principles to your faith. It's about being a visible testament to God's goodness in the business world.

Reflect on this: How are we acknowledging God's role in our business success?

• Good works that glorify God. This is where your business becomes a conduit for God's love and provision. It's about using your resources and influence to make a tangible difference in people's lives.

Consider this: What initiatives or programs have we implemented that clearly demonstrate God's love and generosity?

• Positive changes in your industry or community resulting from your vision and business practices. This is where your Kingdom business becomes a catalyst for transformation. It's about setting new standards and inspiring others to follow suit.

Ask yourself: How has our business influenced our industry or local community for the better? Are we seeing a ripple effect of positive change?

Embracing Your Role as a Kingdom Business Leader

As we’ve explored today, there’s a world of difference between simply being a Christian who owns a business and running a Kingdom business. It’s about shifting our mindset from “How do I succeed or make money?” to “How do I glorify God, advancing God’s Kingdom through my business in a sustainable way?”

However, be warned: Evil actively opposes the advancement of God’s Kingdom on Earth.

God often uses crises in the life of a business to nudge a Christian business owner toward a more intimate connection with Him and a shift toward Kingdom thinking. In a crisis, the owner realizes he needs not only prayer but also the One who answers his cries. Here is a brief prayer that captures this idea, scripted from Psalms 91:2, 4 NLT:

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection, in Jesus’ name.

As your Kingdom purpose unfolds in partnership with God and His mission, your understanding of the need for strategic intercession will blossom.

I want to challenge you to take a fresh look at your business through the lens of God’s Kingdom. Are you simply a Christian who happens to be in business, or are you intentionally using your business as a vehicle for Kingdom advancement, the outflow of a life centered on Jesus? The choice is yours, and the impact can be profound.

If you’re ready to understand your role as a Kingdom business leader more deeply, I invite you to subscribe to StrategicIntercession.com.

We will alert you to new episodes to equip you in your prayer life and supply additional resources. This week, I also want to suggest that you check out the prayers for business from the website Prayers That Avail Much. They are scripturally based and provide an excellent resource for business leadership.

As we close, I encourage you to start viewing your business through the lens of God’s Kingdom today. Begin by asking God to show you how He wants to use your business for His purposes. Look for opportunities to integrate your faith into your business practices in meaningful ways. Remember, with God, your business can be more than just a source of income – it can be a powerful force for making a Kingdom impact.

In our next episode, we’ll dive deeper into Kingdom business principles, focusing on how prayer and divine strategy can shape every aspect of your leadership. From building a culture of integrity to transforming challenges into opportunities for Kingdom advancement, we’ll equip you with practical tools to make a lasting impact in your business. Don’t miss this empowering conversation – see you next time!

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