Can a ministry be for profit? This question is based on a false premise since ministry never ceases in the Body of Christ.
Consider this: Does a Christian businessman who earns a living from a for-profit company ever stop being a disciple of Jesus? If the Spirit of Christ dwells in him 24/7, is he not always doing the Lord’s work? And if he’s always doing the Lord’s work, is it okay if he’s also trying to make an honest profit at the same time?
Christians don’t hesitate to support faith-based businesses (e.g., Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby, In-N-Out Burger), yet it’s abundantly clear that these companies are trying to make a profit. So if we feel good about buying a hamburger that feeds us physically to help a Christian business grow, why wouldn’t we feel even better about purchasing a resource from a Christian business that feeds us spiritually and advances the Kingdom of God?
Somehow, we’ve allowed the government and a secular culture to establish the ground rules and shape our thinking rather than the Word of God. The result is a false dichotomy where it is common to have a capitalistic view of Christian businesses and a socialistic view of Christian ministries.
What exactly is a 501(c)3?
Many assume that an organization that does ministry must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization but aren’t really sure why they feel this way. A 501(c)(3) corporation is a nonprofit organization granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
While I support and collaborate with many other 501(c)(3) ministries, I see no biblical basis for establishing another 501(c)(3) and have therefore strategically chosen to form a for-profit corporation for my own business. The following eight points assisted me in this decision:
- The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
- Churches and ministries were first added to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code in 1954, thanks to Lyndon B. Johnson, who was no friend of the church. At the time, this was presented as a favor to ministries, but in reality, it was more of a hindrance as it came with many restrictions and strings attached.
- While there are government restrictions and stipulations for nonprofit and for-profit corporations alike, the fundamental difference is that incorporating as a 501(c)(3) is much like asking the state to oversee our content and activities as a religious organization. We recognize that God established the government (Romans 13) and we are therefore subject to its authority (to pay taxes and follow the laws), but given the choice of being scrutinized by the state as a religion or a for-profit business, the latter seems more conducive to freely and effectively carrying out a vision.
- Even if I bought into the idea that having the IRS regulate religious organizations was helpful (which I don’t), it wouldn’t apply to my business because I am not about religion–I’m about relationships; under the headship of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, serving together in the church community and reaching out to a lost world to make disciples for God’s glory.
- Since Christ is in me 24/7, I’m in ministry all the time, regardless of the type of company or organization I may work for.
- As Christ’s disciple, I’ve been given both the Dominion Mandate and the Great Commission. I’ve determined that a privately held, for-profit corporation is the least restrictive environment to encourage us to be proactive disciples with helpful tools and resources and is therefore the best alternative for business.
- By choosing to capitalize rather than fundraise, we don’t have to compete with other nonprofit ministries for charitable donations.
- I aspire to champion Christ-centered capitalism over government-centered socialism. Government-centered socialism breeds mediocrity, thwarts progress, and destroys economies. Christ-centered capitalism produces prosperity, encourages biblical community, and fosters benevolence.
But Isn’t Making Money a Bad Thing?
One of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is 1 Timothy 6:10. It teaches us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. In other words greed is the sin, not money itself.
Money is a resource used by mankind as a medium of exchange, and like all resources, it ultimately belongs to God (Psalm 24:1, Psalm 50:10, Colossians 1:16). There’s nothing inherently evil about the commodity itself–it is simply a tool.
The love of money can take place in the confines of any entity, whether it is non-profit or for-profit. Poor and prosperous people with good and bad motives fill the spectrum in both of these environments. The bottom line–it’s not our resources that define us; it’s what we do with our resources that define us. And regardless of how much money passes through our hands on earth, our riches are in Christ.
So, How Does Business Glorify God With Profit?
- Be a Christ-centered, free-market, privately held business with no hidden agenda.
- Be committed to running a lean, effective, and efficient company that exalts Jesus and shares a portion of the profit with your local church.
- Be a for-profit corporation that practices what you preach – merging the practical with the spiritual by fully utilizing a free-market economy to further the Kingdom of God.