Beyond Profitability: Pouring Back into Mission

05/17/23 • 20 min

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On this episode of By His Grace, we explore the idea that work is a good thing, contrary to the negative view that society has about it. We delve into the fallen world's impact on this perception and discuss how Christians can model the idea of doing everything to glorify God, including their work. We also examine how some entrepreneurs are prioritizing their faith and mission over profits and the advantages that come with this model. Finally, we examine how companies' commitment to service and mission above profit makes a significant difference in branding and business success. Tune in to learn more about finding purpose, mission, and faith in entrepreneurship.

Podcast Timestamps

[00:02:05] Making profits is important for business, but having a higher mission is crucial to maintain a moral background and avoid unethical actions for the sake of money. Striving for a greater purpose, such as helping others, can lead to success and financial gain.
[00:04:57] Focus on mission over profit, reinvest money back into business, avoid financial stress, be confident in God's provision.
[00:07:38] Businesses are increasingly dedicating part of their profits to charity, with some even starting with a charity arm from the beginning, akin to tithing. The trend reflects a heart issue.
[00:08:48] Service and servant mentality are important for business success, but they have diminished in the current world. Christian businesses are incorporating tithe mentality into their businesses.
[00:10:55] The hospitality in restaurants is declining as they rush customers to pay and leave. One individual had a long business dinner with no interruptions until they realized they were the last ones there, yet the waiter didn't urge them to leave. This kind of service used to be commonplace, but now waitstaff seem more concerned with closing out than providing good customer service.
[00:13:34] Millennials and Gen Z prioritize pursuing their interests over work, which is seen as a necessary evil. However, it's important to find work that one enjoys and puts effort into doing well, whether it's physical or mental labor. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue.
[00:16:51] Work is rewarding, idleness causes misery, being helpful to others is joyful, servant-hood is a lost art, respect should match experience.
[00:18:01] People kept asking for more, including more money and special concessions, such as pet insurance.
[00:19:28] "My pleasure" customer service is like the hotel industry and changes how customers feel about the business.
[00:20:16] Chickfila prioritizes mission over profit, offering exceptional service while requiring strict qualifications for franchise ownership. Other businesses that prioritize profit over mission ultimately suffer from lackluster service and lose customer loyalty. Apple's clear mission is reflected in their successful products.

Key Topics and Bullets

Introduction to the Bible's view of work as part of God's plan for humanity
- The negative view of work in society and its origin in the fallen world
- Importance of modeling the attitude of doing everything for the glory of God
- The difference in business operations between those funded by investors and those that bootstrap or receive support from others
- The concept of profit as a reward for providing valuable goods and services
- The growing trend of kingdom-minded entrepreneurs who prioritize their mission over profits
- The Spark Influence podcast and its theme of mission over profits
- The promotion of the Spark Media Ignite Conference and Awards Gala as a premier Christian podcast conference
- The younger generation's view towards work and the importance of pursuing what you love
- The pandemic's impact on the decline in work ethic
- Examples of businesses that prioritize mission over profits, such as Chickfila and Apple
- The negative impact of prioritizing profits over mission and good service
- The importance of welcoming customers, even if it's close to closing time
- The significance of seeking first the kingdom of God and its mission
- The speaker's unique business model of prioritizing mission over profitability
- The impact of focusing on profitability on a business's ability to fully achieve its mission
- The importance of reinvesting earnings back into mission events and growth
- The notion of "active, lazy" and the lacking work ethic in society
- Commendation of a person's model of being mission-focused while also thinking about the bottom line.

Keywords

Bible, work, Adam and Eve, God's plan, tending, caring, fallen world, negative view, glory of God, contagious attitude, funding, investors, bootstrap, financial support, profit, valuable goods, services, faith, mission, kingdom-minded, Spark Influence podcast, purpose, mission over profits, financial goals, Ignite Conference, ...

Podcast Timestamps

Key Topics and Bullets

Keywords

Previous Episode

Influence of Biblical Motherhood

Welcome to the Spark Influence Podcast, where we explore the power of positive influence in our daily lives. I’m Misty Phillip and today, I want to encourage my fellow moms. Today I’m flying solo because I want to be discuss the importance of biblical motherhood and the impact it can have on our families and communities.

Motherhood is an incredible journey, full of joys and challenges.

It’s a journey that requires patience, love, and sacrifice. As we navigate this path, it can be easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. But when we look to the Bible for guidance, we can find wisdom and encouragement to help us on this journey.

Proverbs 31:10-31 The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [d] An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31 is a beautiful passage that describes the qualities of a virtuous woman. This woman is a wife and a mother, and she is praised for her hard work, her wisdom, and her kindness. She is a woman who fears the Lord, and her children rise up and call her blessed. As mothers, we can learn a lot from this passage. We can strive to be women of integrity, who work hard to provide for our families and create a loving home environment. We can seek wisdom from the Lord and ask Him to guide us as we raise our children.

Biblical Examples of Strong Moms

As we study the Bible we find countless examples of strong and faithful mothers who raised children who went on to do great things. One such example is Jochebed, the mother of Moses. She was a Hebrew woman living in Egypt during a time when Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. But Jochebed refused to give up on her son and placed him in a basket in the Nile River, trusting that God would protect him.

Jochebed

Through God's grace, Moses was rescued by Pharaoh's daughter and grew up to become a great leader of the Israelites, leading them out of slavery in Egypt. Jochebed's faith and determination remind us that even in the face of difficult circumstances, God can work miracles through the love and dedication of a mother.

Hannah

Another example is Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Hannah was unable to have children, and she prayed fervently to God for a son. When God blessed her with Samuel, she dedicated him to God's service and raised him to be a faithful prophet. Hannah's story shows us that even when we face disappointment or hardship, we can turn to God in prayer and trust that He has a plan for our lives and our children's lives.

As mothers, we can learn so much from these biblical examples. We can be encouraged that our ...

Next Episode

Amplifying Impact for Mission-Driven Organizations through Partnerships

On this episode of Spark Influence, we explore the power of partnerships in mission-driven organizations. Our hosts discuss how partnerships can amplify impact and the importance of finding partners who align with your values and beliefs. Peter and Misty Phillip draw analogies from marriage, highlighting the need for clear communication, appreciation, and scheduling time for each other. They also provide insights on working with clients and third-party vendors. Listen in to hear real-life success stories of Christian partnerships and how they can help achieve more results faster and with more efficiency.

Episode Summary:

The importance of clear communication and over-communication in relationships is discussed in this episode. The speakers believe in nurturing relationships by scheduling time, expressing appreciation, and showing the importance of one another. They emphasizes that partnerships are essential for mission-driven organizations to achieve greater results and efficiency, especially those with shared values and beliefs. The importance of marriages as equal partnerships where both partners prioritize each other's perspectives and desires is discussed. The discussion also touches on the challenges of finding Christian partners in the business world, as some may not prioritize faith in their businesses.

Finally, the podcast's sponsored event, the 2023 Spark Media Ignite Conference and Award Ceremony, is promoted, which will cover the power of partnerships and collaborations for mission-driven organizations.

Topics Covered in the Episode:

The importance of clear communication in relationships
Prioritizing communication in marriage
Nurturing relationships by scheduling time, expressing appreciation, and showing importance
View of marriage as an equal partnership
Changing the partnership over time and considering the partner's perspective
Importance of partnerships and collaborations in mission-driven organizations
Finding complementary partners with shared values and beliefs
Avoiding CINO partnerships
Sharing duties and supporting each other in marriage
Importance of celebrating each other's successes
Partnerships in business with clients and third-party vendors
Differences between men and women in partnerships
Reasons to prioritize family over societal expectations
Challenge of finding partners who align with faith and vision in Christianity-focused businesses

Time Stamps

[00:02:55] Marriage is complex and God sanctifies it for years. Society imposes unrealistic roles and expectations on couples, but in reality, their hearts are merged. The partnership in marriage is important and provides a foundation for anything else in life.

[00:07:41] Person praised for their efficiency in ordering DoorDash and meal planning, while their partner is seen as impulsive during shopping trips together.

[00:10:56] Over communicate with your spouse like you do with your clients and business partners. Make time for them, express appreciation and importance.

[00:12:06] Partnerships are crucial in business and can exist in various forms like client relationships, third-party providers, and collaborations. Aligning with partners who share your vision is important for success.

[00:13:54] Being a Christian business owner comes with challenges when seeking partnerships due to differing beliefs. Christianity should not be left at the door when entering the workplace.

[00:16:32] Partnerships with Christian businesses can significantly enhance and amplify your own business by tapping into a network of shared values and beliefs, leading to deeper connections and greater support. Partnering with Christian businesses that align with your values can create a powerful alliance that resembles the concept of a barn raising in Amish or Jewish communities.

[00:19:15] Partnerships can lighten the load and help business grow.

[00:20:09] Partnerships should be complementary and driven by a shared mission, not personal gain, to truly be effective and valuable. The partnership option should not just exist because of purchasing requirements. A genuine partnership is inspired by a clear and valid mission that people want to help further.

[00:22:51] Be open to unexpected help and seek partnerships to further your mission.

[00:23:31] Continual learning is essential, and humility is necessary to recognize that there is always more to know.

Keywords

clear communication, relationships, over-communication, marriage, scheduling time, appreciation, partnership, equality, opinion, trust, belief system, mission-driven, efficiency, Christian companies, technology, CNO businesses, shared values, amplify, shared belief sy...