Business disciplines such as accounting, bookkeeping, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting are based on figures, but they represent a collection of decisions which have a major influence on relationships between people within and around a business and on our relationship to God. This book is designed to be a stimulus for reflection on how financial decisions are made in doing business, with a focus on these relationships.
We want to look at the managing of finances in a business from a Biblical perspective. We will look at financial decisions through relational glasses which have two lenses. One lens is focused on God and the other on those around us.
The book will not offer ready-made solutions, but hopefully will inspire the readers to discuss their dilemmas with fellow Christians at work, so that they can develop their own leadership style in a way that will honour God and best serve the people within and around the business.
In Part 1, we will look at why finances are a key factor in our discipleship at work, and how we are invited to work in a partnership with the Lord.
In Part 2, we will look at the theological foundations of financial tasks, and the process of the creation, fall and redemption of financial disciplines.
In Part 3, we will look at making financial decisions - God's way and discuss the way in which financial decisions influence relationships and what effect they have on the health of the company.
In Part 4, we will discuss ways in which we can make disciples at work, passing on to others what we have learned from Jesus.
Neither money, profit nor revenue is the goal of a Christian business. The goal must be to honour God, to give him the place that is his due both in our own personal lives and in our relationships. His priorities are about restoring relationships and developing them, so that God and his people can enjoy the best of each other! Financial management is not merely a technical exercise, but more importantly, it is a spiritual discipline for the Christian. It has been said that there are no financial problems, only spiritual problems, that are revealed in monetary terms and that financial problems can never be solved with money!
