What is a Kingdom Minded Business?

A quick Google search will produce a myriad of different types of articles and definitions. It’s impossible to formulate an agreed upon proper definition for “Kingdom Minded” much less to expound that upon a business. When looking at just what “Kingdom Minded” means The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20 would probably be the go-to verse, but this was directly said to the disciples and is impossible for every believer to adopt. I take this to be the ultimate calling of the Church as a whole. Not everyone is going to go live in a different country, and we know that our country needs just as much disciple making as any other country. Our goal as believers should be to play some sort of part in the commission. Paul exhorts each individual duty in Romans 12:4-8:

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.“

Paul also offers similar encouragement to the Church at Corinthians to fulfill their duty in the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12. For Paul to spend time in separate letters to express the importance of this concept should signify to us the need for today. Just as one finds their “niche in business”, we should find our niche in the Body of Christ to further His Kingdom. This also means it will look different across the board, which is why, for me, it is impossible to define what a Kingdom Minded Business is. However, we can briefly define what it is not:

1. A believer who owns a business
2. Incorporating Christian values into core values

These would be found in a Kingdom Minded Business but alone, or together, would not qualify as one. Ironically Christian values, such as integrity as an example, would be found in many core values across secular businesses.

Forming a Definition

Maybe we could glean from a common urging of Christians throughout the New Testament to help narrow the parameters. Self-sacrifice is something that is constantly encouraged in the Gospels and Letters. Considering the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus, Christians are called to act accordingly. Coincidentally (not really), Paul makes this kind of an appeal to believers at the beginning of the aforementioned Romans 12 before highlighting their different gifts:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Romans 12:1

Relying on the mentioned verses I would argue that a Kingdom Minded Business would fall neatly into the bottom two criteria:

1. Plays some sort of role in the Great Commission
2. There is some sort of sacrifice in fulfilling that role

This is broad, as I feel it should be. Again, to hammer the point, it will look different depending on how the Lord has uniquely created you and the circumstance He has placed you in. Maybe we could simplify even more to say that the two traits that we be pertinent and prevalent in a Kingdom Minded Business are:

1. Discipleship (The Great Commission)
2. Giving (Sacrifice)

Maybe discipleship is happening within your organization with your employee(s) or you are partnering with an organization that is doing this in some capacity. Sacrificial giving could take the form of a dollar amount, time or services. Again, this will look different for different people. Circumstances are a big factor and people are convicted of different things based on their personal relationship with the Lord. What one might feel is imperative another might not put as much, if any, emphasis.

Takeway

We can rely again on Paul and the principles he lays out in Romans 14 that we should act according to our own convictions. What is wrong for one may not be wrong for another. However, if you feel convicted about something and do or do not do that thing it is a sin. This relates to the theme of dealing with heart issues in the New Testament. One might find it important to give offerings from their business while another might feel it’s best to pay their employees excellently while discipling them in stewardship and generous giving. Whatever form it takes it should honor the Lord. May He give you wisdom.