Actually, It Is About the Profits
Whenever I speak to Kingdom business owners, inevitably many of them say something like, “It’s not about the money (profits), it’s about giving to the Kingdom and making an impact.”
Why do we apologize for making a profit?
Yes, I agree, the primary goal for a Kingdom business is measured in its impact on purpose, people, planet and profits. While profits should not be the goal, it has to be a goal. There is no need to apologize for making a profit, or even for wanting to make a profit. Money is necessary to keep the business running, growing, giving and making an impact.
When you apologize for making money by saying things like, “It’s not about the money,” you end up creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’ve seen many Kingdom businesses struggle financially because of the negative attitude they have about making a profit. And that attitude drives their actions.
God doesn’t apologize for wealth
Do you think God apologizes about money? He warns us about the lust or love of it and making it an idol (1 Timothy 6:10). But as far as building wealth and making a profit, God encourages it. The Parables of the Talent, Sower and the Seed, and of course Moses’s acknowledgement in Deuteronomy 8:18 that “…God has given you the ability to create wealth…”, all suggest that God is ok with us making money.
Of course, he’s not as concerned about how much money we earn but how we steward it. Giving to the widows and orphans, lending to a neighbor in need, our local church, etc. is part of good stewardship (1 Timothy 5:3-16).
Good stewardship results in profits
When you steward your business and finances well, you will grow a healthy Kingdom business. Profits are the outcome of caring for your customer, treating your employees well, and managing your finances. As you reinvest your profits into needed resources, the more God’s business will grow, and the more people you can help. Your customers, vendors, employees, community and family all benefit from the health of your business. This comes from being profitable.
Profits equal impact
Answer this question: For every dollar earned in your business, how many people are affected by it?
Your restaurant may have earned $75 for serving two people a nice lunch. But it also went to paying your food suppliers for the ingredients, your staff for preparing and serving the food, your wage and supporting your favorite cause.
In other words, the money represents the amount of people you impact. If you associate the dollars to the people, you’ll stop apologizing for earning money, and get excited about the people you serve for the Kingdom.
You see, it is about the profits, and you get to steward it for God’s glory and impact.
