What does being a Christian business person look like? Here’s 10 points for living your faith in your business …

If you’re a Christian who is also a business person, you don’t leave your faith at home when you head out for the workplace. Being a genuine follower of Jesus Christ means we practice our faith in every aspect of our lives.

Yes, that includes in all aspects of our business as well, unlike the butcher in this story:

A woman walks into a butcher shop just before closing time and asks, “Do you still have chicken?”

The butcher opens his deep freezer, takes out his only chicken left and puts it on the scale. It weighs 3.5 pounds.

The woman looks at the chicken and at the scale and asks, “Do you have one that’s a bit bigger than this one?”

The butcher puts his only chicken back into the freezer, and then takes it out again. But this time when he puts it on the scale, he craftily keeps his thumb on the scale pan. And the scale now shows 4.41 pounds.

“That’s wonderful,” said the woman. “I’ll take both of them!”

In a situation like this, you realize at once that your integrity and reputation are firmly on the line. Your wisdom becomes foolishness, and your cunningness becomes stupidity. And your ambassadorship for Jesus Christ is “stained.”

Being a genuinely Christian businessperson involves integrating your faith into your professional life and conducting business in a way that aligns with biblical principles. Here are some key principles (certainly not an exhaustive study) that can guide you in being a godly person as you practice your profession:

Integrity and Honesty. Uphold the highest standards of integrity and honesty in all your business dealings. Be truthful in your communication and transparent in your actions. If you blow it here, you can quickly lose any chance to represent Jesus Christ through your work.

“Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people,” Proverbs 11:3.

Faithfulness. Be faithful in your commitments and responsibilities. This includes honoring contracts, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling promises made to clients, employees, and partners.

“It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it,” Ecclesiastes 5:5.

Ethical Decision-Making. Make decisions based on ethical considerations, even if it means sacrificing short-term gains. Consider the impact of your decisions on all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the community.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take,” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Servant Leadership. Embrace a servant leadership mentality, following the example of Jesus Christ. Serve your employees, customers, and community with humility, empathy, and a genuine concern for their well-being.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many,” Mark 10:45.

Compassion and Empathy. Demonstrate compassion and empathy in your interactions with others. Understand the needs and concerns of your employees and clients, and strive to make a positive impact on their lives.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” Colossians 3:12 (NIV).

Generosity and Charity. Practice generosity by giving back to the community, supporting charitable causes, and giving to the work of the church and God’s kingdom. Consider dedicating a portion of your business profits to the church, ministries, and/or needs in the community.

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully,'” 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Work-Life Balance. Prioritize a healthy work-life balance for yourself and your employees. Recognize the importance of rest, family, and personal well-being.

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit,” Proverbs 23:4

Prayer and Reflection. Integrate prayer and reflection into your daily routine. Seek God’s guidance in your decision-making and turn to Him for strength and wisdom.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7.

Respect and Dignity. Treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their position or status. Foster a workplace culture that values each individual as unique and worthy.

“Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king,” 1 Peter 2:17.

Fair Wages and Just Employment Practices. Ensure that your business practices fair wages and just employment practices. Consider the well-being of your employees and strive to create a positive and supportive work environment.

“Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master — in heaven,” Colossians 4:1.

Scotty