Introduction 

In this final sermon of the year, we’re closing out two things: 

• One: our year-long focus on the theme, “One Vision, One Voice,” which puts emphasis on building unity that is based upon our common commitment to Christ. 

• Two: We’re closing out our sermon series titled “Beef.” 

When we were doing that series, we addressed it using themes from the gameshow Jeopardy, where contestants compete by giving their answers in the form of questions. 

It’s an approach that suits us as God often broaches subjects with us and often responds to our inquiries with questions.  

Let’s again review our categories we’ve already covered: 

• Chloe ‘Nem 

• What You Not Gon’ Do 

• Don’t Judge Me 

• Watch Your Mouth 

We have one more category: 

• We’re going to take Standing on Business for a thousand ($1000) 

I thought I would use ChatGPT to get a solid explanation of what I mean by “standing on business.”

  

What Does “Standing on Business” Mean? 

[From ChatGPT 5.2 (Auto Mode), Prompt: What does the slang term “standing on business mean”?] 

• “The phrase comes from Black American vernacular and gained wider popularity through hip-hop culture, social media, and sports interviews, where it emphasizes seriousness and follow-through.” 

• “In short: standing on business = doing what you said you’d do, and not backing down.” 

“Standing on Business” is about doing what it takes to get it done.

 

The Tension Between Business and Ministry 

For most contemporary churches in America who aim to engage more than 200 members, “standing on business” means engaging in literal business 

• contracts, negotiations, marketing, systems management, payroll, balance sheets, income drivers, human resources, strategic planning  

Key Areas of Ministry Where Business Matters 

We’re going to address some practical ministry matters related to business: 

• Member Care 

• Ministry Finance 

• Spiritual Gifts 

• Church Employees 

• Church Vision 

A Scriptural Basis for Taking Business Matters Seriously 

Luke 16:1(ESV): 1He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 

• Jesus is communicating to us in the language of business and commerce. 

• The moral lessons of this parable come from a rich man in business.  

• In this parable, Jesus is identifying with the rich person. 

• Jesus is placing value on accounting and management. 

Luke 16:2 (ESV): 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’  

• Our first jeopardy question: What is this that I hear about you? 

• This is a question about accountability. 

Luke 16:3(ESV): 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.  

• Our second jeopardy question: “What shall I do?” 

• This is about internal reflection. 

• What should I do when I’m held accountable? 

Luke 16:4-7 (ESV): 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’  

• Notice the rapid change in his output. 

• People think they can’t do things that they really can 

• The man learned to think like an employer.

Luke 16:8 (ESV): 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.  

• Jesus points to a secular business experience as an example for us. 

• He’s not commending the man’s dishonesty, but his shrewdness  

• Shrewd: having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute. [Oxford Languages Dictionary, Powered by Google] 

• Astute: having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage. [Oxford Languages Dictionary, Powered by Google] 

Luke 16:9 (ESV): 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 

• The business example is an analogy for kingdom stewardship 

• We manage resources with eternity in mind 

• “Jesus reminded his disciples that they… should use their possessions with eternity in mind. Christians ought to use their earthly resources wisely and generously for kingdom purposes. In this way, lives will be changed, and people saved by the gospel. Such shrewd kingdom people will be greeted in eternity by a welcoming committee of friends whose lives were forever transformed by their righteous use of worldly wealth.”–Tony Evans [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, Holman, 2019, pp. 994-995] 

Proverbs 22:29 (ESV): 29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. 

Proverbs 6:9–11 (ESV): 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. 

Member Care 

The feeding of the 5000 (which was really 15-20,000) was as much about business-related matters as it had to do with supernatural intervention. 

Jesus’ response to His disciples concerning the feeding of the multitudes was first to address matters of accounting, resource management, and systems implementation. 

• Mark 6:37–39 (ESV): 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 

Notice that in this situation, the business matters were addressed first. Then what happens? 

• Mark 6:41 (ESV): 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.  

• The appeal to heaven was after they had handled their business in this situation.  

• Mark 6:42-43 (ESV): 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.  

• Notice the accounting at the conclusion of the miracle. 

• The supernatural doesn’t cancel the need to do business. 

Ministry Finance 

People who work in ministry must be compensated. 

• 1 Corinthians 9:7-12 (ESV): 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?  8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?  

Paul was an entrepreneur. 

• Acts 18:1–3 (ESV): 1And After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 

Jesus’ ministry had a treasury and a treasurer. 

• John 13:27–30 (ESV): 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. 

Spiritual Gifts 

There are spiritual gifts that, when applied, are expressed as contemporary business practices. 

• 1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV): 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 

 Church Employees 

Contractual agreements must be honored. 

• Matthew 20:10–15 (ESV): 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 

Stay out of HR Matters unless you are legally or contractually involved: 

•  Proverbs 26:17 (ESV): 17  Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. 

Don’t judge with limited information: 

• Proverbs 18:17 (ESV): 17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. 

Church Vision 

Some ministries have a special connection to business: 

• Amos 7:14–16 (ESV): 14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’