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Episode 8
Babylonian Organizational Culture
In his writing, Darren Shearer said,
Most Christian business professionals are employed within “Babylonian” organizational cultures. Unlike Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego, these Christians in “Babylonian” businesses won’t be thrown into a lion’s den or a fiery furnace. However, the corporate cultures in which they perform their jobs usually discourage any public expressions of their Christian faith. Yet, they can still make an impact for Christ from within these organizations. For those of us that live in a free society and are called and gifted to be entrepreneurs and business leaders, how much more do we have opportunities to shape the culture of our businesses. We can dedicate our businesses to God and submit them to His purposes and strategies. Before I talk about what a “Christ-centred business” is, I need to share what it is not. It’s not about only hiring Christians. Refusing to hire anyone except Christians is illegal (at least, in the United States). Not only it is illegal, such a practice would prevent a business from fulfilling a key part of its redemptive purpose: being salt and light among unbelievers in the workplace. Jesus spent a significant portion of His time with unbelievers. If we are not working with unbelievers, our business probably isn’t being Christ-centred. It is not about being “churchy”. Being a Christ-centred business is not about packing your employees into the conference room, playing worship music, and bringing your pastor to preach to them. It is not about transplanting local church service models into a business setting. It is not necessarily about being financially prosperous. If we define prosperity only in terms of money and influence, it is not enough to say, “Christ-centred businesses prosper more than businesses led by non-Christians.” Many businesses led by non-Christians are on the Fortune 500, Inc. 500, and other lists of the most successful saying that God “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45b) It is about more than applying timeless principles. The Bible is full of practical business wisdom that has proven effective in the marketplace since the beginning of economics. Christians and non-Christians alike can apply the Bible’s timeless business principles and experience the benefits. Therefore, it is possible to take business principles from the Bible and leave God out of your business. God is a person, not merely a set of timeless principles. If there is more to being a Christ-centred business than hiring Christians only, churchiness, financial prosperity, and the application of timeless wisdom, what are the qualities by which they can be recognised?
Figuratively speaking, the capitalism of world economy is “Babylonian” in nature where prosperity, wealth and power accumulation is the way of life. People are free to acquire wealth and status to better themselves in life from whatever skills or capabilities they have, even to the extent of immoral dealings. The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is a challenge in this “Babylonian” culture. Christian entrepreneurs have the responsibility to turn the opposing tides for godly will. Darren also listed down four indispensable qualities that a spiritual entrepreneurial leadership should have, based on his experience as an entrepreneur.
Quality # 1 – Eternal Return on Investment (EROI) is the Bottom Line
The bottom line for a Christ-centred business is not merely financial, social, environmental, or anything else that is temporary. The bottom line for Christ-centred is eternal. The Bible says, “… each man’s work will become evident, for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor. 3:13-15) If it does not last in eternity it is not the bottom line.
Quality # 2 – Make Disciples of Jesus
I believe the ultimate purpose of a Christ-centred business is the same as for a Christian individual: “to make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19) Making disciples of Jesus in a business setting might sound more complicated than it is. The Apostle Paul simplified and defined disciple-making with this invitation: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) Do the business practices of your company reflect the character of Jesus Christ? In other words, does your company treat your employees, customers, clients, and other stakeholders as Jesus would? Have you invited others to follow your example? If so, you are making disciples, followers, of Jesus. It is that simple.
Quality # 3 – Led and Empowered by the Spirit of God
If a company is in business to fulfil the mission of God, it only makes sense that the company would be led by God Himself. He leads us through the presence and voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When leading the children of Israel toward the Promised Land, Moses said to God, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Ex. 33:15) He did not want to move anywhere unless he was following God. When I first started out as an entrepreneur, I hired a web developer without first prying about whether he was the right choice. To make long story short, I ended up losing $5,000 on account of this person and had nothing to show for it. Asking God first would have prevented the loss of six months, $5,000, and my peace of mind during that frustrating season of my life.
Quality # 4 – Choose to be Accountable to Godly Advisors
The Bible says, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counsellors there is victory.” (Prov. 11:14) There are many thought leaders in and around my industry that I respect for the advice that they share. The problem is that many of them do not know God. A diet of business advice and guidance fed primarily by non-Christian thinkers will condition a person to believe that God is not relevant to his or her business. As Larry Burkett in his classic, Business by the Book “The difficulty isn’t the advice they give; it is the advice they do not give, specifically, the lack of spiritual insight.” Over the past several years, I have benefitted from the business wisdom of Christian thought leaders such as Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Michael Hyatt, John Maxwell, and others. At the same time, I must admit that a large percentage of the business books I have read and business podcasts I have listened to were presented by non-Christian thought leaders.
Besides these four qualities, having a spiritual entrepreneur who trusts in God is of the utmost importance. But this faith must be accompanied by a hardworking attribute. James emphasised, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 2:22-24) There are a few Proverbs that also pointed out some profound wisdom of hardworking. “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Prov. 10:4), “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Prov. 14:23), “A sluggard does not plough in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing” (Prov. 20:4), “The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work” (Prov. 21:25).
Discussion Questions