Successful Businesses with Gospel Focused Values

I started this blog intent on seeing 1Glories grow into a successful business with a Gospel focused mission. That specific mission has evolved from being simple inspiration to that of help others are refining life. I fully expect it to continue evolving as God so leads it. However, the overriding vision or primary purpose remains: to glorify God through the work he has done and is doing.

In a world of political correctness and easy-to-offend societal customs, I have to confess I’ve worried about how it is perceived and received. I also have worried I’ve pursued for the wrong (read that as “selfish”) ambitions.

I’ll get to that latter part in a later post. For now, though, I’m focusing on the first concern, given that today is Labor Day.

Gospel Focused Business or Side Gig?

While Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby are standout successful businesses that are well-known for holding true to Christian values, many others may surprise you. I came to realize this while reading a Ministry Today Magazine article about Gospel-driven businesses. Some of them include, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, The Escape Room, New York Life, Brown Church Development Group and, of course, many others.

With this being Labor Day, I’m pondering the prospect that our labors can often be in vain. Even as I pursue my divine calling, I’m conflicted by the very real truth that it’s merely a “side gig” at the moment. Still, I “wait” on and keep listening up for My Heavenly Father – looking to what he has in store.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10 NIV 

1Glories began following personal wrestling with God where we shared our dreams and my personal quest for significance. Following our sparring, I registered 1Glories.com with a confident expectation that I was following God’s wishes. Today, it is a personal ministry that acts as a business designed to serve others first. The changes that have come along the way are the result of listening for God’s giving of more opportunities to give.

Gospel Focused Businesses – Don’t Give Up On God’s Dreams

Each of the last two months have seen more visitors than ever before. Visits in 2016 surpassed the 2015 visits before the end of June and last year’s growth more than doubled the year before. All great signs for sure. It has, however, been a struggle. One that’s been discouraging at times and one that has nearly made me quit many times.

What keeps me “waiting” on God and the opportunities is the vivid revelation that came from those conversations with God. In God’s grace, he allowed me to achieve my lifelong dreams while preparing me to focus on his.

In God's #grace, he allowed me to achieve my lifelong #dreams while preparing me to focus on his. Click To Tweet

Encouragement to Other Gospel Focused Business Owners

I want to offer this post as a piece of encouragement to others who are pursuing their God inspired calling as a business owner. Earlier in the summer, while traveling with my family on vacation, we stopped at a quiet little restaurant in Union Grove, NC called Burger Barn.

There was nothing flashy about the place – we just wanted something different from the typical burgers and fries drive-thru we hit when traveling. So we gave Burger Barn a chance. We were greeted kindly and welcomed inside.

When I went into the bathroom, I realized we indeed did find a business that’s different. Taped to the mirror was a Bible tract, “Seven Things God Wants Us to Know.” I looked on the shelf and saw several more for the taking.

Jeremiah 29:4-7 Businesses

“Awesome,” I thought to myself and went back to the main dining area. Several other signs that the business operators are indeed Gospel focused can be seen as well. In observing the interactions they had with other customers that came and went during our stay, the kind hospitality my family received, and the atmosphere served as a great example of individuals living out Jeremiah 29:4-7 as they sought to glorify God and add value to their community while earning their income.

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”