By Jeff Brink, April 23, 2024

Several weeks ago, we began this series by introducing the analogy that all of God’s children are working in His family business, the largest business ever created. Every day should be viewed as a family workday, working side-by-side with our brothers and sisters in Christ to continue God’s work on earth and make a kingdom impact.

Worldly family businesses typically have goals and objectives, both short and long-term. A typical list looks like this:

• Building a name (or legacy)
• Growing the business (or flourishing)
• Providing for the broader family
• Developing and maintaining a sterling reputation
• Succession planning

Over the coming weeks, we will continue connecting these worldly pursuits to building God’s Kingdom family business and provide practical insight. Today, we will focus on providing for the broader family in the “family business.”

Successful family businesses are profitable and generally prioritize using their resources to provide for the needs and care of their immediate (and often extended) family. God’s family business of believers is no different.

God providentially places us within His family business in specific jobs and positions worldwide to make a kingdom impact and care for His children. The resources He blesses you with could be a variety of things: financial, unique skills, influence, relationships, teaching, or the gift of leadership. The important thing is to recognize that the ability and gifts God provides are for the benefit of His Kingdom.  “All the believers were of one heart and mind. No one claimed any of their possessions were their own, but they shared everything they had” (Acts 4: 32).

We should rightly view ourselves as stewards of God’s gifts to care for His children and put into action what is described in 1 John 3:17-18 – “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul provided clear instructions for caring for and supporting God’s family, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).  Paul goes on to say, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Paul knew that when God’s people were cared for and flourished the kingdom of God would advance.

Supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ in the marketplace can take on various forms. It may be through prayer, encouragement, networking, helping someone through a job transition, or perhaps financially. It also could be buying goods and services from Christians in the marketplace to grow the kingdom’s economy.  (See Networking to Supercharge the Kingdom Economy (part 2) blog post.)

As you work in God’s family business this week, think of specific kingdom family members you can support and how doing so will help them make more kingdom impact. Then do it!