By Rick Boxx
We sometimes talk about how one’s faith influences how they approach their work. However, over my more than 30 years of experience in leading organizations, I have discovered several ways that business and my career have shaped my faith.
Cash flow challenges. The first and most memorable way is through cash flow challenges. There have been times when I have been uncertain how we were going to pay our employees. Although God is not obligated to provide the resources needed at such times, He has always shown up in such profound ways to meet our needs that I could no longer have any doubts that God is real.
While I deserve absolutely no credit for it, the businesses I have been involved with have never missed a payroll. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” If you are in business long enough, and you earnestly pray, God will prove to you that He exists.
Marketing strategy. Another profound way God has used to shape my faith is in trusting Him with our marketing strategy. Decades ago, God directed a radio executive to ask me to produce a radio segment on integrity in the workplace. Even though I had no experience in radio, I agreed to pray about his request.
That same week, a second radio executive gave me the same advice. Through email, radio, and podcasts, Integrity Moments – the organization I lead – has now served more than two million people.
In Isaiah 55:9 God offers the assurance that, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Trust God with your marketing strategy and your faith will grow.
Conflict resolution. A challenge in business we confront from time to time is conflict resolution. A man I will call Pete experienced a transaction with a vendor that went bad, resulting in him being sued. Through wise counsel, Pete discovered he had wronged this vendor. After prayer, Pete humbly went to the vendor’s office, confessed his sin, and asked the man for forgiveness. The vendor dropped the lawsuit.
In Matthew 5:23 Jesus said, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” God can use conflicts to humble us and to shape our faith.
Utilizing credit. Throughout my years in ministry, there have been some lean seasons when advisors would recommend that I establish a line of credit. But when I became an entrepreneur and ministry leader, I had to evaluate my convictions about debt and what stance I would take. Many small businesses use lines of credit; as a step of faith, however, I made a pledge to God to trust Him for funding, not banks.
Proverbs 3:5 teaches, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” God has used the last 30 years of being debt free in business to significantly bolster my faith in His unfailing provision.
© 2025, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- What do you think of the idea that our experiences in the business and professional world can actually serve to shape our faith in God?
- Which of the ways cited can you identify with most closely – cash flow challenges, marketing strategy, conflict resolution, or using credit as a regular part of daily operations?
- Can you think of any other ways in which you could see God using circumstances in the workplace to strengthen or broaden your faith and trust in Him?
- When it comes to building one’s faith, we often think of attending a religious service, attending a conference or reading books by respected Christian leaders. Why do you think God often chooses to use the workplace as a “classroom” for teaching us more about Himself?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Jeremiah 33:3; Acts 17:28; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:17,23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Challenge for This Week
During the coming week, try to adopt a perspective that God is involved in whatever you are experiencing – challenges as well as successes. Pray about what spiritual insights or truths the Lord might be seeking to teach you through the circumstances you confront every day.
It might be helpful to share what you learn with someone else, whether a good friend or mentor, or if you are involved with a CBMC team, with members of that group the next time you meet.
