Biblical Answer

Can my business be a means of serving others?

The Purpose of Business in Serving Others

As Christians, our primary goal should be to serve others for the sake of Christ. This is not just a moral obligation, but a calling from God. In Philippians 2:3-4, we are reminded to "count others as more significant than ourselves" and to "look out for the interests of others." This is not just a feeling or a desire, but a constant and sincere attitude of our souls. Serving others is to be the vocation of every Christian, regardless of their social status or wealth. As 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." Our business can be a means of serving others, but it is essential to recognize that our primary goal is to serve God, not just to make a profit.

The Dangers of Selfish Service

Many people assume that serving others means doing what they want to do, when they want to do it. However, this is not true. Selfish service is not service at all. It is a way of justifying our own desires and ambitions, rather than genuinely serving others. As Jesus said, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). We must be willing to surrender our own interests and desires to serve others. This may mean making sacrifices, taking risks, and stepping out of our comfort zones. Our business can be a means of serving others, but it must be done in a way that is surrendered to God, not just our own desires.

The Spirit of Service

The spirit of service is not just about doing good things for others, but about being a servant of God. As 1 Corinthians 4:3 says, "But it is to me that God has entrusted this message. So I speak with great boldness; I am not held back by fear." Our business can be a means of serving others, but it must be done with a spirit of service that is surrendered to God. This means recognizing that our schedule, our time, and our resources are not our own, but belong to God. We must be willing to allow God to arrange our schedule and our lives, rather than trying to control them ourselves. By doing so, we can live a purposeful life, directed towards its true goal, and serve others in a way that honors God.