This is the third post in a series of five that looks at reasons to run our business according to our Christian faith.  In the last post, we looked at the Greatest Commandment and how it applies to our business.  Let’s turn to one of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and see how it applies.

“If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.

If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.”

– 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

What Will Survive the Fire?

Here, Paul talks about our “work” in building our lives on the foundation of Christ. Whatever we build during our lives that survives the fire on the Day will bring us reward. Whatever is consumed by the fire is lost.  What would you say will survive the fire?  Will our homes, regardless of size, survive the fire?  What about our cars?  Our stocks or other investments?  If you are like me, you see that none of this will survive the fire.

If that is true, then I am assuming our businesses will not survive either.  So what will survive the fire?  What about lives we have impacted for eternity?  What about our words, deeds, and relationships that have pointed others toward God?

Where Is Our Focus?

If this is the case, then what reasons could we have for dedicating so much of our time, treasure, and talents to the sole purpose of building our businesses?  Of course, we could say we do it to provide for our families and to enjoy the finer things of life.  Or we could say that we do it because we are wired to do it.  We may even feel we have no other choice but to do it.

Regardless of your reasons to this point, you need to ask yourself if your reason aligns with Scripture.  Are you running your business to produce results that will survive the fire or be consumed in the fire?  If it is the latter, then what are your choices?

What Are the Options?

You could sell the business and go into full-time ministry or even become a missionary. Certainly either of these choices could produce results that would survive the fire, right?  I see nothing at all wrong with these choices.  However, I see another choice you need to consider.

Turn your business over to God.  Let Him show you how He wants to use it. Turn your business into an eternity-impacting machine!  We will talk more later about what that looks like and how to do it.  For now, just consider it.

Let me know your thoughts.  

Do you agree with this perspective?

If not, on what are you basing your perspective?