Biblical Answer

The Source of Joy in Business

Joy is a serious business in the kingdom of heaven. It is not just a feeling or an emotion, but an attitude that comes from God. When we put our hearts into our work and see it as a calling that resonates with our values, connects us to people, and fits within a larger vision, we experience joy. This is not to say that we will find ultimate fulfillment in life or that God's good purposes will be fulfilled in us if we pursue self-fulfillment above all else. Rather, if we make the fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives our primary goal, we will find happiness through serving others.

Joy in the Things God Has Blessed

When we understand that joy comes from God, we are freed to take joy in the things he has blessed. This includes the simple pleasures in life such as eating, drinking, and working. We are also free to take joy in the relationships we build with others, including our employees and customers. When we connect our work with a larger purpose, we gain satisfaction and joy. This view of work ties into a biblical claim that obeying God always results in joy, and disobeying always destroys it.

A Joy that Comes from Serving Others

The joy that comes from serving others is a happiness that will not be bad for us. It is a joy that is not dependent on pleasant circumstances or prosperity, but rather on our attitude and obedience to God. When we make the fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives our primary goal, we will find joy in serving others. This means that we will strive to provide fair wages and benefits to our employees, and to make our business succeed for the sake of both the employees and owners. By putting God's purposes first, we will find joy and happiness in our work, and will be a blessing to those around us.