By Jeff Brink, November 21, 2023

Last week in the Network for Success [Part 1] blog, we took an aerial view of Christian networking, touching on the broad categories of in-reach (with Christ-believers) and outreach (with non-believers). Over the coming weeks, we will dig into specific areas of these categories and discuss how to build and use our networks to glorify God and grow His kingdom.

Today, we discuss our role in working with other believers to fuel God’s kingdom economy and, ultimately, kingdom expansion. The term “kingdom economy” is often used to describe monies that flow into churches, missions, and ministries for kingdom work – advancing either the Great Commandment or the Great Commission.

Tithing (giving 10% of one’s income back to God) is an important biblical principle used as a primary means to fund churches and important ministries. Tithing is an act of worship that expresses gratitude, trust, and obedience to God.  Tithing critically contributes to the kingdom’s economy along with other ministry-directed giving.

What if we could take simple actions during the workweek to grow the kingdom economy beyond traditional tithing and giving? The fact is, we can! God provides the wealth and then gives us the freedom to cultivate and multiply it. Working with other Christian businesses helps cultivate and create that wealth for flourishing and the city’s welfare.  “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jerimiah 29: 7).

Did you know that how you build and utilize your network can have a direct impact on growing God’s kingdom? When we support fellow Christians in the marketplace, many amazing things happen. When we spur on fellow believers in our networks to flourish, help them find work or better-paying jobs, or connect them with business opportunities, their income increases – and so does their kingdom giving. The same holds true with buying goods and services. If we intentionally seek to use our networks to work with / support Christians and Christian-run businesses, there is a high probability that a portion of those monies will end up in the kingdom economy.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to spur up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” This verse emphasizes the need for togetherness and our impact on one another and God’s kingdom. “Spurring” one another towards love and good deeds takes action and intention.

I am relatively new to the Atlanta area and was recently looking for a local dentist. Tapping my network within Christ Covenant, I quickly got connected to a member who is highly regarded in the Atlanta dental community. She is not only an amazing dentist and person, but she runs a Christian-forward business. It was refreshing to openly discuss faith and church happenings with the entire staff during a routine dental visit.

The money I spent that day would have otherwise gone into the secular economy and, eventually, who knows where. Beyond the kingdom economic benefit I provided, I take comfort in knowing that my dollars are going to people and organizations who share my Christian values and will not be used to support sinful causes that contradict my values.   

Who in your network can you contact today to encourage, help, or support financially?

 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Imagine the impact we can have if Christians everywhere embraced this approach and prioritized supporting and working with fellow believers in the marketplace. One of the long-range goals with Faithnet is to develop a global platform and other tools to connect Christians in the marketplace and do just that – supercharge the kingdom economy.