Business for the Glory of God Book Review
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Netreia Carroll
Business for the Glory of God
Book Review
BUSI 301-B01
Business for the Glory of God Book Review
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The book Business for the Glory of God is authored by Dr. Wayne Grudem's book. It is a
very well informed book and shows foundational truths within its pages. The purpose of the
book is very clarify Christian foundations as it pertains to a business who considers the ideas of
God. Grudem’s allows the ready to understand the blessings of business and not the curses of it
and that business’ are a blessing to all parties involved. His idea assumes that business should
never be not built on the foundation of God’s laws. Due to the evil love of many businesses left
a negative taste in the mouths of man. (Hart 2011) No one can trust the other anymore due to
thievery and greediness. Law suits towards businesses is on the rise and is a common act in the
United States. Grudem relates to business and all of the rudiments that come along with the
business are positive entities and become bad only after the physiognomies of sin becomes
involved. Grudem presents to the reader nine facets of being in business and how each of these
attributed can be utilized to glorify God. Grudem address business ownership, commercial
transactions, competition employment, and inequality of possessions, money, productivity, and
profits as main themes. In this paper we are going to discuss a business that has followed the
steps suggest by this author.
In 1992, I opened "Crown and Glory" Hair, Braid and Coffee Shop. There I displayed my
flare for embellishments having the windows and the address of the storefront outlined in blue,
green and white marble-like disks tiles. As one would walk inside the door, on the left would
passed a metal podium and blue couch perched on top of a purple carpeted stage. On the right
was a glass case with Bibles and inspirational CDs for sale. As you walked in further you would
find a small coffee shop where fancy and regular coffees were being served on tall, wooden
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round tables with tall standing wooden stools beneath them. Positive affirmations, Biblical vers-
es, and a variety of pictures of me, my family, co-workers, clients, organizational members, and
persons in need of prayer. All were resined onto the wooden tabletops. In the corner by the stage
you would see a large box of donated can goods and dry food allocated for the visiting homeless
community who later became residence there for two years. (Grudem 2003, Acts 20:35) On one
of the coffee shop table tops there were affirmations of wise instructions entitled "Human Rela-
tions" that embodies my life’s philosophy. ? Some read, "Every human being has human dignity,
and we must not injure it", "Every person is important to God, there is no such thing as an un-
wanted child”, “The value of all human endeavors must be graded on this: Is it good for the chil-
dren?" "The greatness of your motivation is resoluted by your determination in God? Even fur-
ther to the back, contemporary inspirational tunes bellowed through the air. In the midst of each
musical praises stood five stylists working at their stations, intricately braiding, twisting, locking
and weaving their clients’ hair, all saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled. (Grudem 2003, pg.
32) Also discreetly placed, hand-painted Biblical passages were hand painted on the walls direct-
ly across from the stations and above the dryers to plant a Word into the hearts of each and every
customer as they sat and waited for their final touches. ?From the beginning until I retired the sa-
lon had evolved into a full-spectrum spiritual experience. On Tuesday through Saturday, the sa-
lon was opened for all to come in, get their "crowns glorified," sit, relax, have a cup of coffee,
listen to inspirational music, watch Christian videos and/or receive prayer if they choose to do
so. I believe, just as Jesus taught the disciples by example and sent them out to minister, I was
chosen to do the same. In December of 2000, on Sunday mornings the salon/coffee shop trans-
formed into the newly established church named, "The Shabach House Ministries" This is how
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the church God assigned to me began. This business was one that was successful not because of
the money but because the full advantage for ministry was activated. I could have takin owner-
ship of that business and claimed God’s glory and in full stewardship but I didn’t, “The earth is
the Lords and the fullness therof.” (Grudem 2003 pg. 19) Businesses that we are blessed with
should always include some sort of ministry even if it’s merely built on the foundation and the
biblical fundamentals. One good fundamental to consider is not stealing. (Grudem 2003) We in
the flesh aren’t capable of receiving God’s glory. We just was not created that way. When we try,
we become out of touch with ourselves and reality, much like Sun Myung Moon who is the cre-
ator of the Unification Church. His church has become a worldwide entity since its start back in
1954. Moon has convince millions of his followers that he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
(Listverse Staff 2010) Glory was designed for God. We should receive the glory and pass it on to
God.
In Chapter 6 of Business for the Glory of God, Grudem addresses money as being the
root of all evil and how money in itself is not the root, the root in the love that the flesh has for it
because it causes evil actions due to that love. Jesus trusts us with money and that we would not
replace his love we have for him in place of a false god called money. Jesus desires that we see
money as a gift from Him and not a replacement of Him. Grudem referred to the scripture, “ The
silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:8) All things
belong to God. We cannot create nor make anything. All that we have belongs to the Father. I
agree!
Grudem concludes with revisiting his thoughts on Christian values that includes
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identifying who the real owner of all business is. That is Jesus! Productivity should be that is
pleasing to Jesus. Those we employ should at least understand the foundation principles of God.
All commercial transactions should be done with the integrity that comes for the character of
God. We all should recognize that all profits come from the provider of all things. God!
Business’ should understand that money is a gift of from God and we are to love God more that
the money. We should enjoy the reaping of money but, just not fall in love with it to the point we
lose our minds. He also points out the ways of man should exemplify the heart of God. Big and
small businesses should never forget to bless the church and others in some way when they are
blessed by God. In my business I spoke about giving back to the poor and providing food, and
shelter for those who had no place to live is a function that God would do. We have to asked
ourselves in all situations, “What would God do?” and copycat His actions. It doesn’t matter if
the business is large or small giving a donation here or there as a way of showing your
gratefulness for being blessed is a great gesture. (Grudem 2003 pg. 81) I agree with Grudem as
he agrees that glorying God extends far past worship, faith evangelism and all of the other
Spiritual accommodations we practice. There is room for glorifying on our business, while
doing business, and in preparing for business. God has bless business owners with the
opportunity to broaden their territory with another avenue. Ministry extends past the four walls
of the church now a days. Now it is prevalent in in busisness’ worldwide.
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Reference List
The Bible, English Standard Version, 2001
Grudem, Wayne. Business for the Glory of God. 2003. Illinois: Crossway Books.
Hart, D.G. “If Morally Indifferent, Why Not Morally Neutral?” 10 February 2011. Old
Life: Reformed Faith and Practice. Retrieved from www.oldlife.org
Listverst Staff. “10 People Who Give Christianity a Bad Name” 2010
http://listverse.com/2010/02/23/10-people-who-give-christianity-a-bad-name/,
