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That’s a huge question. It’s one that we will unpack further in other articles appearing in this Core Area of Marketplace. But for now, let’s summarise an answer under three main headings.

1. BUSINESS PROFITS FOR MINISTRY

The local church can only make so much money from the congregation that it has. Its resources are generally limited to the number of people and the incomes they receive. Yes, God can multiply fish and loaves and he sees the value of the widow’s mite. These are all valid and valuable things that we ought not to forget, just as we shouldn’t neglect the place of prayer and faith. But there are a whole lot more fishes and loaves that are still sealed in people’s sandwich boxes that God can use – these are the profits from businesses that God has blessed through the gifts that he has given to business-minded people.

When Christian entrepreneurs start relating to church leaders about designating profits to ministries, things begin to get exciting! Fresh, exhilarating visions can be birthed. Some entrepreneurs are even starting separate businesses where the profits are solely dedicated to a specific ministry. (The Apostle Paul’s tent-making business can be a biblical example of this position in action – 1 Thessalonians 2:9.) It’s been said on many occasions that church leaders provide the vision and business leaders provide the provision.

This initial level is the arena in which WisdomOnWealth operates in. But to put our work in perspective, there is a bigger picture revealed in the next two positions of the part that Christian businesses can play in the Great Commission.

2. EVANGELISM IN THE WORKPLACE

Business can play a wider role in that it is recognised as the mission field from Monday to Friday. This takes the focus off resources being ‘money’ onto the resource being ‘people’. There are many great initiatives and ministries that have been set up to make the Christian realise the importance of being salt and light in the workplace. Over the last ten years the ‘Faith at Work’ movement has grown and continues to fill the divide between the place of worship and the place of work.

Christian-led businesses can be a positive influence on non-believing employees by applying Christian morals and ethical behaviour in their business practices. Prayer Groups in the workplace have become more popular in recent times, as believers see the importance of infiltrating the office with prayer. ‘Business Alpha Courses’ are taking place where Christians can take their ‘seeking’ non-Christian work colleagues to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Some businesses have even put on spiritual retreats where their employees can have a quality weekend away and have the Gospel presented to them in a relevant, non-threatening way.

Another example of evangelism in the workplace can be seen in the recent work of The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Although recognising the still great need in sharing the Gospel with the unreached people groups in the so-called ‘10-40 Window’ (the countries between the 10th and 40th parallels north of the Equator), another great need for the Gospel has been highlighted in the ‘9 to 5 Window’. Billy’s son Franklin reflects: "God has begun an evangelism movement in the workplace that has the potential to transform our society as we know it."

In short, a growing number of Christians desire to know how to effectively integrate their faith life with their work life. Whereas ten years ago there were only 25 listed ministries or non-profit organisations set up in the United States to help people in this area, today there are over 1,200.

3. BUSINESS AS MISSION

This is moving from businesses ‘funding’ missions to businesses ‘doing’ missions.

In this holistic approach to missions, a business establishes itself in a developing area or country, i.e. the missionary workers are the work force. Its goal is to then achieve economic growth and social transformation, through Christian values inherent in the business. It has been proven that the backbone of a country's economic success has been down to the application of deeply-held values and beliefs to business practices.

The role of the business is not just to make money but to create jobs, provide capital, train local people to start new businesses, influence governments, witness and disciple in the context of the workplace, and much more.

Business as mission encompasses a broad range of activities and models – but generally could be identified where business activities cross over with or connect with mission activities.

In summary, business as mission brings about spiritual, social and economic transformation in our world today.