Being Christian About Business
What does it mean to be Christian about business? This question confronts anyone who wants to follow Jesus not only in their personal lives but in their professional work as well.
For many, the idea of bringing faith into the workplace can seem abstract or disconnected from daily responsibilities. Our worship lives and our work lives often feel like two distinct realms, divided into sacred and secular categories. But this division is a fiction. There is no “work world” as distinct from a “worship world.” There is one world: the world God loves, died for, and is redeeming even now.
The Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper expressed this truth in his now-famous declaration: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” For Kuyper, no sphere of life is beyond Jesus’s sovereignty. The one world in which we live is the world over which Christ reigns. As followers of Jesus, this means every inch of our lives exists in the realm of discipleship. Everything we do takes place under the Lordship of Christ. If there is unsurrendered turf in our lives, it is not neutral; it is rebellious.
Christ claims all. And that means we must ask the question: what does it look like to be Christian about business?
Paul and the Dignity of Work
One way of moving toward an answer is to consider how we might approach our work if we truly believed two things: (1) that Jesus is Lord, and (2) that He alone gives life. These are precisely the claims Paul makes in the first two chapters of his letter to the Colossians.
In chapter 3, Paul offers practical instructions for various members of the household, including slaves. His message to these disempowered members of society is worth pausing on: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
These are the verses from which the Kuriō Kronicle gets its name. Kuriō is a rendering of the Greek word κυριῳ, translated here as “for the Lord.” And in the context of Paul’s broader argument, the importance of this phrase (for the Lord) is staggering.
First of all, it’s stunning that Paul addresses slaves directly, treating them as full members of the Christian community. Giving such dignity to slavers in the Roman world was unheard of. Second, although they are not free to choose what work they do, Paul affirms the dignity of their work and assures them that their labor is meaningful because it is done for God. Even the most mundane or forgettable tasks, Paul insists, must be viewed as service to the Lord. This radically recalibrates the power dynamic of the Roman household, placing their masters under the sovereign Lordship of Jesus.
Paul’s affirmation of all work as work for the Lord echoes Kuyper’s declaration of Christ’s sovereignty. Together, these ideas challenge us to see every aspect of our lives, including our work, as part of Christ’s domain. This leads to two critical truths for understanding what it means to be Christian about business.
Truth 1: All of Life is Christ’s
Every moment and inch of our lives belong to Jesus. Our work, no matter how mundane or repetitive, is not ours to claim. It exists within the sphere of Christ’s sovereignty. Whether we are leading meetings, making decisions, or performing routine tasks, we live and work in spaces given to us by God. That means we—all—have an enormous responsibility: our calling is to steward these spaces and moments for His purposes.
That also means that no job is insignificant in the kingdom of God. Whether we’re answering emails, cleaning floors, or managing teams, every act of faithful labor is meaningful because it belongs to Christ. Recognizing this reality transforms work from mere duty or obligation into a form of worship.
Truth 2: We Are Part of Something Bigger
Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 3 is not merely a command for ethical workplace behavior. It is an invitation to see our work as part of something far greater than ourselves. When Paul tells slaves to work “as for the Lord,” he assures them that their labor is not in vain. It is meaningful because it participates in God’s eternal purposes. This is so hopeful. We may not be slaves, but we often find ourselves engaged in work that feels thankless or tedious. Paul’s words remind us that we are serving Christ, and our faithful labor will be rewarded. Our work matters. God can use our daily, even half-hearted efforts to make something miraculous.
And this perspective does more than inspire hope. It changes how we measure success in business. Success is not about recognition, promotions, or profits, but about faithfulness to Christ. In the long run, profits are irrelevant and titles are fleeting. These are dust in comparison to our opportunity to give honor to Jesus the eternal king.
Practical Implications
So, what does it actually look like to be Christian about business in practical terms? First, it means seeing each day’s work as an offering to God. Whether you’re in a boardroom, behind a cash register, or leading a project, your work can be done in a spirit of worship and service to the Lord. Working with integrity, diligence, and a desire to honor God transforms even ordinary tasks into acts of worship. Your work can be worship.
This extends to others as well. The toll-booth operator and the check-out guy at the grocery store are doing their part, serving us in service to Christ. Our coworkers are co-worshippers. In Christ, no one labors alone or in vain.
Second, being Christian about business means making decisions that reflect Christ’s values. It means choosing ethical practices over quick profits, treating employees and colleagues with compassion and fairness, and honoring the dignity of every person as made in the image of God. It means considering how our work serves His Kingdom, not just personal ambition. It means working Kuriō, for the Lord, not for ourselves.
Finally, being Christian about business involves aligning long-term goals with God’s purposes. Are our goals aligned with God’s mission of justice, mercy, and love? Does our work contribute to the flourishing of others? Reflecting on these questions ensures that your business or profession participates in God’s larger story.
Conclusion
These suggestions may feel general, and that’s intentional. Living out discipleship in the workplace is not a one-size-fits-all formula. It requires creativity, wisdom, and discernment. It means joining God’s work in the world and embodying Christ’s love in tangible ways.
The Kuriō Kronicle aims to support precisely this kind of work by providing resources to help Christians think well about their vocations. There isn’t just one way to be Christian about business because God is at work in a vast array of ways in every corner of the world. However, Paul’s encouragement in Colossians offers helpful guidelines: serve Christ in whatever you do, knowing your work is part of the larger picture God is painting.
So, what does it mean to be Christian about business? It means going about Christ’s business. Our work, whether in the corporate world, in our homes, or in our communities, belongs to Jesus. When we work with this reality in mind, we participate in something far greater than ourselves and live out the truth that every inch of existence is His.