Today we’re looking at the 5th and final characteristic that makes business “Christian.” Below are the links for the previous characteristics that I posted.
Christian Work is:
– 1. Creation-Fulfilling
– 2. Excellence-Pursuing
– 3. Holiness-Reflecting
5. Today’s topic – Mission-Advancing:
Many Christians assume that the spread of the gospel, especially in the first years after Jesus, was carried out exclusively by the apostles. In reality, however, the gospel has frequently advanced most swiftly on the wings of business. Look, for example, to the book of Acts, in which the apostle Paul seeks to take the gospel of Christ to places which have never heard His name. Paul is headed to Rome, the capital of the known world, to do some church planting. Yet when his ship pulls up to the dock, who is waiting to greet him but a bunch of Christians (Acts 28:14)? How did these guys get there?
Whoever it was that was responsible for the young church in Rome, we can be sure that none of the apostles founded it. The same, in fact, is true of all three of the largest Christian centers of the early church: the churches of Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria were all founded by non-apostles. Most likely, these cities were reached by the everyday Christian merchants who carried the gospel with them as they travelled through the region. These average businessmen far outpaced the path of Paul and the other apostles. It may have been their business that brought them to the region, but it was the gospel within them sparked a movement.
Missions today seems almost tailored to a similar business emphasis. It is not enough, if ever it was, to create teams composed of full-time missionaries. Secular skills are needed to give Christians access to countries that would otherwise swiftly reject their presence. The countries most in need of a gospel presence—those in the so-called “10-40 window”—are devastated by poverty and joblessness. These places need both the words of the gospel and the tangible reflection of God’s love that businesses can provide. Millions in this region are without work and without the knowledge of Christ.
One example, though dozens could be provided, is the nation of Iran. As a country, Iran is an unreached area in desperate need of the gospel. As of today, there are 10 million seeking employment in Iran, a number that could eclipse 20 million within the next 15 years. How are places like this to be reached? Iran can be reached through the efforts of average Christian businesspeople taking their skills and expertise overseas. This may not be the path for every Christian, but perhaps God is challenging you to consider leveraging your work for his mission-advancing purposes.
God is interested in how Christians do their work, and He wants to be involved in it. Your work can make an eternal difference in the lives of those you work with, those you work for, and those you serve through your job. Allow the transformation of the gospel to change the way you look at and do your work. You were redeemed by grace—now live out that grace in the context of your job. You may never look at work the same way again.
