Why Business?
Imagine a world in which there was no business, where people served only themselves and their own needs. Would there be any such thing as technology? Would there be much innovation at all? Would freedom exist in that world, since for most people government would undoubtedly end up with the burden of meeting the needs of the many?
Business is where the talent, intelligence, and the initiative of the individual are individually rewarded. Business is where knowledge, resources, and capability are pooled to achieve a result that real people actually desire. Business is the place where people are allowed to achieve specialized knowledge and skill in a particular field of interest, and — by exchange — they are still able to provide for the needs they have which fall outside that field.
Business is fundamentally social. That is, it is about relationship, and relationship building is certainly the most important occupation of our lives. We relate to God, and we relate to each other. Relationship necessarily involves an exchange of thoughts, opinions, and ideas on one hand, and an exchange of goods and services on the other hand. With both hands, we achieve agreement (often agreement to disagree!), friendship, and sometimes covenant (e.g., marriage).
No, we would not want to live in a world without business. It would be far too boring and far too exhausting. We need what others have to offer, and God made us that way.
Like everything else God created, business can also be twisted into something grotesque, something bent far beyond its intended purpose. Business can be used to feed the endless hubris and lust of mankind and become a vehicle of greed and excess. Business can facilitate injustice and oppress all those who live in its shadow. This does not make business inherently wrong, however, any more than relationship is inherently wrong. It is a reminder that we live in an imperfect world where mankind is still free to choose evil over good.
The Bible provides much insight into what constitutes good business practice, business that honors God. Honest dealing, faithful service, the wise investment and use of resources, fair and timely payment to employees, profit. All of these give glory to God and frustrate the plans of the enemy to keep mankind in poverty and lack. All of these are found in good business!
(James 4:13-16, Proverbs 11:1 AMP, Proverbs 31:16 AMP, Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 AMP, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Luke 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Deuteronomy 25:15, James 5:4, Malachi 3:5 NLT, Matthew 25:19-21 AMP, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)