Kingdom Business

KINGDOM BUSINESS

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

I have been in business with my husband since 2002, and coming from a desperate situation of losing sight of God’s will in our lives, we made the decision that whatever we put our hands to will be to God’s glory and the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

We heard everyone speak about ‘Kingdom Business’, but what does that really mean and how do we establish a business that would bring glory to God? Since we did not know how to build kingdom business, you could say we built it in the dark because we were dependent on the leading of Holy Spirit and not the worldly version. God’s success is not the same as worldly success. We had to ask questions like:

• Why am I in business?
• What will drive my passion in business?
• Is my business, governed by God’s mission for mankind (Mark 16:15; Matt 28:19)?

What is Kingdom business? To answer that question we need to turn to God’s Word, and ‘my’ best definition for ‘kingdom business’ comes from Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Perhaps you are thinking that this verse still does not bring clarity to the definition of a ‘kingdom business’, let me rephrase Matthew 6:33 – but seek first the kingdom of God and your (my) “rights-less-ness” and all these things will be added to you! In the kingdom of God we live according to the renewed mind, the mind of Christ, which means we have no rights because we live according to His kingdom principles. And in God’s kingdom I do not have rights I have righteousness, and His righteousness is selfless. 

A kingdom life is dying to self so that I can live; the same is true in business. Kingdom business exists within the realm of the commandments and the great commission of God. 


There are many practical values that we need to follow in business, such as – integrity, honesty, stewardship, and generosity. However, these values should flow from a renewed mind. Romans 12:2 gives us a strong warning and a definite hope – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The warning – do not be conformed to this world, this world is a system that exists from the flesh and not the Spirit of God. The definite hope is God’s will that is good, it is acceptable and it is perfect.

Unfortunately, we compartmentalize our lives by thinking business and church cannot co-exist with each other, if you are pursuing a ‘godly kingdom business’ then this is an obstacle that has to be overcome. If we are expected to have our minds renewed in accordance to God’s Word, meaning we are guided by the Holy Spirit and obedient to His leading, then our mind, our will and our emotions become Christ-like and fleshly desires are crucified, then we move into the realm of Kingdom as we yield ourselves to the Lord of lords, and the King of kings so that He can reign. 

Being a Christian entrepreneur is an incredible adventure that defies the general business norms, because we go a step beyond and we have the opportunity to demonstrate the mysterious ability to change the moral direction of society through the products and the services we deliver. Jesus was able to understand the worldly structures of power, greed and lust, we are to do the same, we follow a route that is narrow, we live to see the Gospel going out, and we go to impact people, cities and nations. 

My prayer for each one of us, who find ourselves in this cutthroat commercial world, is to be a people who desire character, vision and innovation. We have the supernatural ability to fight obstacles with faith, integrity, determination and endurance. I pray that God will establish us as people who live creatively, apostolically and prophetically. 

What is a good foundation of a godly Kingdom business?

• Kingdom business will build as wise builders – Matthew 7:24-27
• The Lord is the master builder – Psalm 127:1
• We are co-laborers with Him – 1 Corinthians 3:9
• We build to the glory of God – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
• We have strong roots – Psalm 1:3

What do we build on to get a strong foundation?

• Jesus Christ is the cornerstone – Matthew 21:42
• The apostolic and prophetic – Ephesians 2:20
• The Word of God – Matthew 7:24-28

God is restoring the world of business to the church. In the sense of the apostolic we live as people being sent by God to go into the world (John 13:16), and we get involved in the commission to see God’s church established, to see churches planted, even though we are called in business we live as pioneers. 

As business leaders our desire is to do God’s will, to see churches blessed, to impart spiritual blessing to the church, to increase faith, to share the gospel, to share our lives, to see Christ formed in our employees, our suppliers, and our customers, to present the Word of God in fullness, and to enlarge the sphere of influence where we see faith continuing to grow.

Here are some questions to consider and respond to:

• Are you a faithful steward to what God has put in your hand?
• Are you aligned with God’s kingdom plan?
• Is every person in and around your business esteemed?
• Do you pursue the great commission as an outworking of your business?

(Written by Zelda Cronje, Cornerstone Church, Johannesburg, South Africa)