Provide & Protect: Two Ways to Be a King in Business

[Preface: In a previous article titled, “Why Business Is Full-Time Ministry,” we explored our callings to be “royal priests” in the business world (1 Peter 2:9). In that article, I talked about the marketplace Christian’s two primary duties as God’s priests. Now, I want to talk about two of our primary duties as God’s kings, which is the “royal” aspect of being a “royal priest.”]

Not only did God call us to enter His Kingdom, He called us to rule within His Kingdom. The first commandment given to humanity was to “subdue the earth and rule; take dominion” (Gen. 1:28). We are promised that “those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17).

As a marketplace Christian, you are a king, and a massive part of your domain is your sphere of influence in the marketplace. While our royal authority as children of God transcends the authorities among the kingdoms of the world, it should be revealed through our professional lives in the marketplace.

Let’s explore two of our primary duties as God’s kings in the marketplace.

1: Be a Provider

Kings have authority for the purpose of providing for those within their domains. As kings, what are some practical ways that we can provide for the needs of those in our spheres of influence in the marketplace?

Provide spiritual gifts – Whether your gifts are teaching, discernment, administration, prophecy, or any other, the marketplace needs your spiritual gifts to reflect the glory of God. God’s Word promises that He has made a place for our gifts. It is our responsibility to make those gifts available to those who need them.

Provide economic value – If you are getting paid to do what you do, you most likely have provided an equivalent amount of economic value. In the process, you served at least one person by providing for at least one need.

Provide economic opportunities – Whether you are have hired people or not, the economic value you provide for the marketplace creates opportunities for other people to offer value. When one need is met, new needs emerge. The solution to one problem creates new problems to be solved.

Provide alms for the needy – Do you have co-workers who are hurting financially? If you are a business owner, do you have customers who can’t pay? You may be the only one who knows about the impossible financial situations these people are in. Perhaps God is asking you to show mercy through providing some financial relief for that person.

As God’s appointed king in the marketplace, how do you provide for the people within your sphere of influence?

2: Be a Protector

Kings also are called to protect those within their domains. What are some practical ways that we can protect those in our spheres of influence in the business world?

Protect through making righteous decisions – Many of the decisions we make in business either will protect those in our spheres of influence, or they will hurt them. By making decisions in a way that protects those around us from financially, professionally, emotionally, relationally, or even physically harm—rather than protecting our own selfish interests—we can serve our co-workers, customers, and colleagues with the servant’s attitude of Jesus (Phil. 2:5).

Protect through life-giving words – On every economic level, the marketplace is extremely vulnerable to negativity and fear. As such, marketplace Christians have a significant opportunity and calling to protect those around us from this negativity and fear by speaking only “what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable… things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil. 4:8).

Protect through prayer – Through our prayers, we can guard our companies against loss, theft, bad business partners, bad business deals, adverse market swings, and more. Many of these things are beyond our control, but they are not beyond the control and intervention of the Holy Spirit.

You Are Royalty

When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t realize that she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors trying to prepare her for leadership were frustrated perpetually because they couldn’t motivate young Victoria to take her schoolwork seriously. They knew she wouldn’t be able to lead others until she could lead herself.

Finally, her teachers admonished her, “One day, Victoria, you will be the Queen of England!”

Upon hearing this, Victoria said quietly, “Then, I will be good.”

The realization that she had inherited this high calling gave her a sense of authority, responsibility, and accountability that profoundly affected her conduct from that day forward.

Like Queen Victoria, we will always live in accordance with our understanding of who we are. As marketplace Christians, we are kings and priests who belong to God. This revelation will transform the business world as we walk in the fullness of our calling as marketplace Christians.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Discussion: How is God asking you to provide for and protect those in your sphere of influence in the marketplace?