Why Business Matters to God

By Pastor Rick Warren

Finishing the Task—the vision of completing the Great Commission in our generation by 2033—will require every believer, from every walk of life, to play their part. We need “Great Commission Allies” in every sector: churches, denominations, government, academia—and yes, business.

One area often overlooked in Kingdom service is the business sector. Yet you might be surprised to learn how much God cares about work and about those who make their living in the marketplace. Whether you’re a businessperson or a church leader who cares about businesspeople, this is something you’ll want to understand and share.

Below are ten reasons why your work matters to God—and why the marketplace is essential for finishing the task.

 

1. Work Is 40 Percent of Your Life

The average person will spend 150,000 hours working—about 40% of their life. And there is no part of your life God isn’t interested in. If something takes nearly half of your waking years, God cares deeply about it.

 

2. God Works—and You Work Because You’re Made in His Image

Before God ordained the church, the family, or government, the first thing He ordained was work.

God gave Adam work to do in paradise. Genesis 2:15 says, “God put man in the garden of Eden to work it.” Work is not a result of the curse—it’s part of God’s plan.

Jesus tells us in John 5:17, “My Father is always at work, and so am I.” If you want to be like Jesus, you’ve got to learn how to work.

 

3. Jesus Started His Business at Age 12

When Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple at age twelve, he said, “I must be about my Father’s business.”

Imagine being twelve years old and already knowing the purpose of your life. Most adults don’t know that! But Jesus did.

God is a planner. Everything He created—your body, nature, the universe—works in systems. That same intentionality applies to your work and calling.

 

4. Work Is Preparation for Work in Heaven

This life is the warm-up act for eternity. The Bible says heaven is more beautiful and more real than anything we can imagine.

Most movies make heaven look boring: everything white, fog up to your knees, floating around with wings playing harps. To me, that would be Hell. Earth—even in its broken state—is incredibly beautiful. Heaven is infinitely better.

And in heaven, you will work. Your assignment there will be based on the quality of your work here—not salvation, which is pure grace—but responsibility.

Matthew 25:23 says, “You were faithful with a few things; now I will put you in charge of many things.”

 

5. Work Is a Spiritual Responsibility

Work is not a curse; it’s a spiritual duty.

1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Those are strong words. God takes work seriously.

 

6. Work Is How You Express Your God-Given SHAPE

You are uniquely shaped by God to contribute to the world.
1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many gifts… use your gift well.”

Your talents weren’t given for your benefit—they were given to bless others. My gifts aren’t for me; they’re for you. And your gifts aren’t for you; they’re for the people God has placed around you.

But here’s what happens: we start our careers wanting to make a difference, but over time, “service” becomes “serve us”— selfishness replaces purpose. But God gave you abilities to help others.

If your current job doesn’t allow you to use your God-given talents, it may be time to rethink your work—because meaning is more important than money. Life is too short to waste it on work you don’t love.

 

7. God Uses Your Work to Grow Your Character

Romans 8:28 doesn’t say everything is good. Cancer isn’t good. War isn’t good. Abuse isn’t good. But God can bring good out of the bad.

He specializes in turning crucifixions into resurrections.

You will have setbacks in your business. Every business owner I know who built something from scratch almost lost it at least once. While you are working on the business, God is working on your character.

The most important thing you bring home from work is not your paycheck—it’s the person you become.

Romans 8:29 says God’s purpose is that we be “conformed to the image of His Son.” God is more interested in who you are than what you do.

 

8. Your Work Gives Credibility to Your Witness

Your work demonstrates what you believe far more than your words.

I know a billionaire in Oklahoma who became a Christian simply because the carpenter working in his home cared about excellence. When asked why he worked so hard, the carpenter said, “I follow Jesus Christ.” That was the moment the businessman was open to the gospel.

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine… so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

For twenty years at Saddleback, I had a businessperson share a testimony every weekend—six services a week—because to the unbeliever, the businessperson had more credibility than me. I was the “paid salesman;” they were the “satisfied customer.”

The early church didn’t grow through great preaching. It grew because ordinary people “gossiped the gospel” everywhere they went.

 

9. Your Work Is Your Ministry and Your Mission

Businesspeople are the new missionaries. Businessmen and women can get into countries I cannot get into as a pastor. Not everybody wants to know about Jesus, but everybody wants to know how to succeed.

In every culture, three things shape society: music, sports, and entertainment. If you want to influence culture, you must influence the influencers.

A well-known business owner once asked if he should quit and become a pastor. I said, “No way!” He already had access to celebrities, athletes, and musicians through endorsement contracts. I told him: “When they come to sign, say: ‘I don’t just want to be your endorser. I want to be your friend. When you go through a hard time, you come to me, and I will help you.’”

And trust me—no one goes through life pain-free. Injury, scandal, divorce, failure—there are a thousand ways God gets someone’s attention. When that moment comes, you get to be the one who shares Christ.

 

10. Work Allows You to Store Up Treasure in Heaven

In Luke 16:9 Jesus teaches, “Use your money to make eternal friends.” He says in Matthew 6:20, “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven.” How do you do that? By investing in people who are going there.

You’ve got to decide: Will you be a wealth builder or a kingdom builder?

How great would it be if one day in Heaven someone comes up to you and says, “Thank you. I’m here because you chose to be a Kingdom builder rather than a wealth builder.”

When I wrote The Purpose Driven Life, I could have retired—but when the first four words of your book are “It’s not about you,” you know the money isn’t for you. Kay and I gave it all away. For the last 25 years I’ve given away 91% of my income and lived on 9%.

When we talk about the 2033 goal, this is how you store treasure in heaven—by investing in getting people into heaven.

 

Business Matters for Finishing the Task

Business is not separate from your calling—it is part of your calling.
Your work is part of God’s plan.
Your work is part of your discipleship.
Your work is part of the mission of Jesus.

And your work is essential for finishing the task.

To sign up to become a Great Commission Ally, visit finishingthetask.com/signup.