As Christians, our faith calls us to live in the image of Jesus, practicing servant leadership and embracing the principles of giving and generosity. If you are looking to further integrate your faith with your work, you can first consider how you can make a difference beyond the bottom line.
It is important to understand the intersection of faith, philanthropy, and leadership. We can start the conversation by exploring how Christian business leaders can incorporate the spirit of giving into their company culture to find a deeper sense of purpose beyond the pursuit of financial success.
How To Incorporate Philanthropy Into Your Company Culture
As Christians, we are called to live as Jesus did, and as leaders, we have the opportunity to practice servant leadership. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” This verse emphasizes God’s desire for us to embody the spirit of sowing generously in our profits by giving back to the community and those in need. You can start by deliberately allocating resources and supporting charitable causes that are aligned with your values. The verse from Corinthians emphasizes giving from the heart, not out of obligation. As a business leader, you can lead by example by participating in charities that are meaningful to you. You can also work to exemplify servant leadership which puts others’ needs above your own. How? Talk to your employees about the causes that are important to them. Get to know their hearts and talk about your own values. Sharing the heart behind your generosity and creating space for your team members to do the same will incorporate philanthropy into your company culture by way of compassion, honesty, and realness.
Finding Purpose Beyond The Bottom Line
Before integrating philanthropy into your company culture, you may need to do some diligent work to find your purpose. As leaders, the pressure of profits and success can be overwhelming and draining. It is common and typical for leaders to feel like money is the priority. But shifting your focus shifts your purpose. If money is your purpose as a leader, then you are surely missing out. Finding your purpose beyond the bottom line will require your own attention to God’s wisdom and His purpose for you.
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
What Does Purpose-Driven Leadership Mean?
Purpose-driven leadership for Christian CEOs begins by recognizing that we are called to align our leadership with God's purpose. This verse underscores the idea that God works for the good of those who love Him and are living by His plan. Christian CEOs should seek to understand and align our leadership roles with God's greater purpose, not just our personal or corporate interests.
We can use Romans 8:28 as a reminder that our leadership should prioritize the well-being of all members of our community, including employees, customers, and shareholders. We are called to lead with a sense of responsibility and to contribute positively to society while striving for the greater good.
As we look to God’s wisdom, we strive to live as Jesus did. This can start by focusing on servant leadership. As Christian CEOs, our purpose-driven leadership should reflect the principles of servant leadership, where we humbly serve others, just as Jesus did. We recognize that our leadership roles call us to serve the needs of our teams, customers, and the company as a whole.
This practice should be ongoing! To stay aligned with God's purpose, Christian CEOs can engage in continuous reflection, prayer, and conversation. Regularly seeking God's guidance and reflecting on whether our leadership decisions are in harmony with His purpose helps us continue to make ethical and faith-driven choices. A great way to consistently participate in the process of learning God’s purpose for you is by joining a peer group led by other Christian CEOs and business leaders.
Convene’s peer groups offer CEOs and leaders the opportunity to network, mentor, collaborate, and lean on a group of like-minded individuals. Joining a peer group may help you find a deeper meaning to your leadership. It is easy to get wrapped up in the motivations for success and profit, but in doing so we risk losing sight of our true capacity as a leader. Philanthropy and purpose get left in the dust, but taking the time to evaluate your blindspots may provide insights into the ways you can better integrate your faith with your work. To be the best leaders we can be, we have to focus on how we can best serve our people.