It seems that Christian Capitalism is starting to finally get a foothold. I have been noticing Christian sections popping up in retailers outside of the usual "Christian Bookstore" category. I have seen these in many stores including Walmart, Publix, Walgreens and Target. Sometimes its a whole aisle, other times its just one of those rotating wire stands that may contain Christian greeting cards or self-help books.
Every day I see more Christian stuff out there for sale. So I think to myself, "if these secular businesses are setting aside the space for this, there must be a pretty big demand for it". Right? Well I decided to find out facts and numbers on how big the Christian "stuff" industry has gotten. As I was just surfing the web doing research I came across something interesting. Did you know that Forbes has a package of stories about Kingdom-based business, called "Christian Capitalism"? Right now they have 13 articles in the section, although a couple of them are not about business but about unscrupulous scammers that have preyed on Christians. I'm really not sure why these stories are in there, but it seems that the secular media always have to include something in there to paint Christians as naive, or below par in some way. The most important points I took from these articles were that Christian business is growing steadily albeit quietly, and big business is starting to notice. This article was written a few years ago and it states that the Christian retail business had $4.2 billion in annual sales at the time, and that Walmart's entry into the market was expected to grow the industry at a 30% clip. They view it as a tremendous opportunity for sales growth in the future. I can't help but think of the opportunities this presents to Christian entrepreneurs, not only to make a living, but to build upon a different kind of business mentality. Christian entrepreneurs have an opportunity to shine, to be an example, and to differentiate themselves from the rest of the marketplace. In this season where we see so much media coverage of corporate greed, unethical behavior, and disregard for customers, employees, and communities, Christian Capitalism can bring a new perspective into the marketplace. The ideal of Christian Capitalism is not just to earn money serving the Christian target market. It is to build functional relationships between the business and its customers, employees, vendors, and community. These functional relationships should encourage, build up, and pour out into others the love that the Holy Spirit pours into us. Another very important piece in this is that Christian businesses are called to support their local churches and area ministries. This is God's way and is a system that works well when all parties invest into it. The businesses create a good product, strong relationships, and good will, and the community responds by supporting the businesses and making them successful. The businesses in turn supports its employees, vendors, and community, and the cycle starts all over again. Along the way businesses that subscribe to the idea of Christian Capitalism become a noticeable presence in their communities. Led by their employer's example, employees start to buy in to God's system. Customers respond to the way they are treated by demanding the same treatment from other businesses. Christian start-ups pop up to fill this need and also because they seek to emulate the success of existing businesses that follow the Christian business model. On and on it goes, affecting the vendors, and other stakeholders. Christian Capitalism can really gain momentum if Christian entrepreneurs can resist the temptations that success brings and keep their eyes firmly focused on Christ. Another stumbling block for Christian Capitalism to overcome will be to differentiate Christian businesses from the impostors. Success breeds imitators and opportunists. There are already many non-Christian companies that do business or are trying to gain a foothold in the Christian economy. Not that there is anything wrong with that, because we as Christians need all kinds of services and products. We have to understand though, that when we support these businesses our money goes into their storehouse, or is invested into causes that may be in conflict with Kingdom goals. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?Mark 7:16 We must be discerning in our support of businesses and look to their fruit, because a direct result of Christian Capitalism should be that God's resources are kept flowing through the kingdom, not remain in storehouses. where moth and rust can reach them. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal". Matt 6:19
BLDNG THE WALL is a non-denominational Christian blog focused on raising up Christian businesses. It is meant to provide support, encouragement, and knowledge to other Christian businesspeople entering, or presently doing business in the Christian economy.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
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