By guest blogger Dave Kahle
The recent election may have set the record for the amount of emotional reaction it has generated. As such, it presents an unusual opportunity for Christians to impact those in our spheres of influence.
The depth and breadth of the emotional response presents Christian businesspeople with a unique opportunity. This reaction to the election represents a great opportunity for Christians in the business world to impact the world. It was Rahm Emmanual who was reported to have said, during the Obama administration, “Never let a good crises go to waste.” That applies to Christian businesspeople as well.
First, realize that you are in a unique position. It is a world where many of the things we trusted have flittered away that trust to the call of politics: No one trusts the media, government agencies appear to be purely political, and many universities seem to have lost their purpose.
But business has been immune to that trading of trust for political advantages. The Edelman Trust Barometer recently released its 2023 report. Based on interviews with 32,000 people across 28 countries, it found that people trusted business more than the media, government and NGOs.
According to author Dave Samson, “According to this year’s Trust findings, business remains the only trusted institution at 62 percent. And business is now the sole institution that respondents perceive as both ethical and competent …” In other words, in a world where we no longer trust people and institutions, we still view business, and business people, very positively.
That puts you in an advantaged position. As a businessperson, you are more respected and viewed as more competent than your colleagues in other lines of work. You are, therefore, in the view of most people, more influential. Not only do you have influence on those stake holders in your business – employees, vendors, customers, etc. but you likely have greater influence on the community represented by all those people who come into contact with you and your stakeholders.
So, what do you do with the responsibility that comes with this gift of respect and trust?
Take it up a notch. Begin with prayer, asking God to show you how and what you can do to make a greater impact in these uncertain times.
You have always been a model for the folks in your sphere of influence. Now, with prayer and intentionality, decide to more visibly model what it means to be a Christian in uncertain times.
Demonstrate peacefulness. While peace is noticeably lacking in the secular world, the people around you can sense it in you. We know that “all things work together for good for those who are called according to his name.” so, we relax knowing that God’s got this. And since we are calm and peaceful, secure in our knowledge of the lordship of our God, we can concentrate on excellent businesses and careers and exhibiting love to those all around us.
The world is full of upset, fearful people who could benefit by a sense of peace. Knowing that God is in control, and that you have a relationship with him, let Godly peace radiate from you. Demonstrate what it means to be confident and peaceful Share that with others.
Be a model of sonship. You are a son of the most high God, and you have a relationship with him. You can speak to him, and he to you. You are secure and comfortable in that relationship.
Don’t hide it. In fact, do just the opposite. Look for opportunities to express that relationship and your comfort with him. Offer to pray for and with colleagues who look like they are upset, worried or fearful. This may be a good time to organize a regular, optional prayer time in your organization. Consider a companywide work of service designed to meet some need in the community.
Remember Esther was told, in a moment of great potential impact: : (Esther 4:14) And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Don’t let this opportunity pass by.
Copyright MMXXIV by Dave Kahle
All Rights Reserved
The recent election may have set the record for the amount of emotional reaction it has generated. As such, it presents an unusual opportunity for Christians to impact those in our spheres of influence.
The depth and breadth of the emotional response presents Christian businesspeople with a unique opportunity. This reaction to the election represents a great opportunity for Christians in the business world to impact the world. It was Rahm Emmanual who was reported to have said, during the Obama administration, “Never let a good crises go to waste.” That applies to Christian businesspeople as well.
First, realize that you are in a unique position. It is a world where many of the things we trusted have flittered away that trust to the call of politics: No one trusts the media, government agencies appear to be purely political, and many universities seem to have lost their purpose.
But business has been immune to that trading of trust for political advantages. The Edelman Trust Barometer recently released its 2023 report. Based on interviews with 32,000 people across 28 countries, it found that people trusted business more than the media, government and NGOs.
According to author Dave Samson, “According to this year’s Trust findings, business remains the only trusted institution at 62 percent. And business is now the sole institution that respondents perceive as both ethical and competent …” In other words, in a world where we no longer trust people and institutions, we still view business, and business people, very positively.
That puts you in an advantaged position. As a businessperson, you are more respected and viewed as more competent than your colleagues in other lines of work. You are, therefore, in the view of most people, more influential. Not only do you have influence on those stake holders in your business – employees, vendors, customers, etc. but you likely have greater influence on the community represented by all those people who come into contact with you and your stakeholders.
So, what do you do with the responsibility that comes with this gift of respect and trust?
Take it up a notch. Begin with prayer, asking God to show you how and what you can do to make a greater impact in these uncertain times.
You have always been a model for the folks in your sphere of influence. Now, with prayer and intentionality, decide to more visibly model what it means to be a Christian in uncertain times.
Demonstrate peacefulness. While peace is noticeably lacking in the secular world, the people around you can sense it in you. We know that “all things work together for good for those who are called according to his name.” so, we relax knowing that God’s got this. And since we are calm and peaceful, secure in our knowledge of the lordship of our God, we can concentrate on excellent businesses and careers and exhibiting love to those all around us.
The world is full of upset, fearful people who could benefit by a sense of peace. Knowing that God is in control, and that you have a relationship with him, let Godly peace radiate from you. Demonstrate what it means to be confident and peaceful Share that with others.
Be a model of sonship. You are a son of the most high God, and you have a relationship with him. You can speak to him, and he to you. You are secure and comfortable in that relationship.
Don’t hide it. In fact, do just the opposite. Look for opportunities to express that relationship and your comfort with him. Offer to pray for and with colleagues who look like they are upset, worried or fearful. This may be a good time to organize a regular, optional prayer time in your organization. Consider a companywide work of service designed to meet some need in the community.
Remember Esther was told, in a moment of great potential impact: : (Esther 4:14) And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Don’t let this opportunity pass by.
Copyright MMXXIV by Dave Kahle
All Rights Reserved
| About Dave Kahle: Dave Kahle has been a Bible teacher, elder, house church leader, short-term missionary and Christian executive roundtable leader. For 30 years, he has been an authority on sales and sales systems, having spoken in 47 states and eleven countries. He has authored 13 books, including The Good Book on Business. His books have been translated into eight-plus languages and are available in over 20 countries. He holds a B. of ED from the University of Toledo, and MA in Teaching from Bowling Green University. |  |
He and Coleen split their time between Grand Rapids, Michigan and Sarasota, Florida. He is a father, foster father, adoptive father and grandfather to 14 children.
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