In today’s world, Christian entrepreneurs are called to be apostles in the marketplace, bringing the Kingdom of God into the seven mountains of influence—business, government, media, education, arts & entertainment, family, and religion. This means that business leaders and professionals are not only responsible for financial success but also for spiritual impact—influencing culture with Kingdom values, using their networks for the Gospel, and leveraging profits to fund missions. As they navigate the complexities of their industries, these entrepreneurs have the unique opportunity to integrate their faith into their daily operations, promoting ethical practices and fostering a sense of community among their employees and clients. By actively seeking to embody the principles of compassion, integrity, and service, they can challenge the status quo and inspire others to pursue a higher purpose within their own careers. Furthermore, through mentorship and collaboration, Christian entrepreneurs can build alliances across different sectors, creating a powerful movement that not only uplifts individual businesses but also transforms entire communities, reinforcing the importance of their mission to reflect God’s love and righteousness in all aspects of life.
1. Defining the Marketplace: The Seven Mountains of Influence
The marketplace refers to the spheres of influence that shape society, encompassing various domains that interact and impact our daily lives. According to the Seven Mountain Mandate, these seven areas define culture: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business. Each of these mountains plays a crucial role in molding the values and beliefs that govern societal interactions, illustrating how interconnected and influential they are in guiding individuals and communities toward a shared vision of purpose and identity. By acknowledging the significance of these spheres, we can better understand the driving forces behind cultural evolution and the importance of engagement within each mountain to drive positive change.
✔ Business – Economics, entrepreneurship, trade, and financial institutions.
✔ Government – Law, politics, and policies that shape nations.
✔ Media – News, journalism, and digital communication.
✔ Education – Schools, universities, and the shaping of young minds.
✔ Arts & Entertainment – Music, film, sports, and the creative industries.
✔ Family – Marriage, parenting, and generational legacy.
✔ Religion – The church and spiritual leadership.
Biblical Foundation for Influence in the Marketplace
✔ Genesis 1:28 – “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion…” (Cultural influence is part of God’s mandate).
✔ Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” (Believers are called to influence every sphere).
✔ Daniel 6:3 – “Daniel distinguished himself… because an excellent spirit was in him.” (Faithful leadership in government).
✔ Example: Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-44) – Joseph was strategically placed in government and business, leading an economic transformation that saved nations.
2. Influencing the Marketplace with Kingdom Values
As apostles in the marketplace, Christian entrepreneurs are called to transform culture by integrating Kingdom values into their areas of influence, fostering an environment where ethical practices and spiritual principles guide business decisions. By exemplifying integrity, compassion, and stewardship in their dealings, they not only uplift their communities but also inspire others to embrace a higher standard of conduct. This integration of faith and work leads to innovative solutions that address social issues, creating a ripple effect that can ultimately reshape societal norms and contribute to the flourishing of those around them.
Key Ways to Influence the Seven Mountains with Kingdom Values
✔ Business – Leading with honesty, integrity, and servant leadership (Proverbs 11:1).
✔ Government – Advocating for righteous laws and justice (Proverbs 29:2).
✔ Media – Using platforms to promote truth and godly values (Ephesians 4:29).
✔ Education – Teaching biblical wisdom and discipling future leaders (Proverbs 22:6).
✔ Arts & Entertainment – Creating media that uplifts and glorifies God (Exodus 31:3-5).
✔ Family – Strengthening marriages and raising godly children (Joshua 24:15).
✔ Religion – Equipping believers to be salt and light in the world (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Real-Life Example: Truett Cathy (Founder of Chick-fil-A, Business Mountain)
- Truett Cathy built Chick-fil-A on biblical principles, closing on Sundays to honor God.
- His company promotes servant leadership, excellence, and integrity through comprehensive training programs, regular team-building activities, and a commitment to open communication that fosters a supportive work environment.
- Despite operating fewer hours than competitors, Chick-fil-A remains one of the most successful fast-food chains—proving that Kingdom values lead to success.
✔ Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
3. Using Connections for the Advancement of the Kingdom
Entrepreneurs and professionals are strategically positioned in influential networks—business, politics, media, and academia. These connections create valuable opportunities to foster collaboration, share insights, and drive innovation. By engaging with diverse stakeholders, they can identify emerging trends, leverage resources, and enhance their influence in various sectors. Moreover, these relationships often provide access to mentorship, funding, and partnerships that can significantly accelerate growth and development. In this interconnected landscape, the ability to navigate and cultivate these networks becomes crucial for success.
✔ Share the Gospel – Engage in faith-based conversations in professional settings (Matthew 28:19-20).
✔ Disciple Business Leaders – Mentorship and coaching for Christian business ethics (2 Timothy 2:2).
✔ Advocate for Righteous Causes – Influence policies that promote justice and fairness (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Real-Life Example: The Green Family (Hobby Lobby, Business & Religion Mountain)
- The Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby, use their significant influence to actively support a variety of initiatives including Bible translation projects, Christian education, and faith-based initiatives, which they passionately believe are crucial for fostering spiritual growth and community development in society.
- They successfully challenged government policies that conflicted with biblical values, using their marketplace influence to stand for religious freedom.
✔ Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
4. Using Profit to Fund the Mission
God blesses Christian entrepreneurs not just to accumulate wealth, but to use it for Kingdom purposes. This includes: leveraging their resources to support charitable initiatives, funding missionary efforts around the globe, and investing in community programs that uplift those in need. By doing so, they not only fulfill their God-given purpose but also create a ripple effect of positive change, inspiring others to follow suit and align their business practices with their faith. Their success serves as a testimony to God’s provision and kindness, demonstrating that financial growth can coexist with spiritual growth, ultimately advancing His Kingdom on earth.
✔ Supporting Missionaries & Church Planting – Financing the spread of the Gospel (Romans 10:14-15).
✔ Funding Humanitarian Work – Investing in the poor and oppressed (Proverbs 19:17).
✔ Building Christian Institutions – Schools, hospitals, and media companies that promote godly values.
Real-Life Example: R.G. LeTourneau (Christian Industrialist & Philanthropist, Business Mountain)
- R.G. LeTourneau was a Christian businessman who invented massive earth-moving equipment, including bulldozers and scrapers, which revolutionized construction and mining operations globally, and his innovative spirit led to the development of numerous unique machines that significantly improved efficiency and productivity in various industries.
- He gave 90% of his income to God’s work and kept only 10% for himself, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to his faith and a profound understanding of the importance of generosity in serving a higher purpose.
- His financial support helped build churches, Christian universities, and missionary organizations, creating a lasting impact in communities both locally and globally, fostering education and faith among countless individuals and families.
✔ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
5. Practical Steps to Be an Apostle in the Marketplace
Entrepreneurs and professionals are not just called to make a living—they are called to make a Kingdom impact. As apostles in the marketplace, they are sent by God to transform business, government, media, education, arts, family, and religion with His Kingdom principles.
Below are four practical steps to embrace this calling and bring God’s Kingdom into the marketplace.
1. Dedicate Your Life to Be God’s Instrument for the Kingdom
✔ Key Verse: Romans 12:1 – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
How This Works:
- Recognize that your life is not your own—God has placed you in the marketplace for a purpose, and understanding this divine positioning can profoundly impact your decisions, your interactions, and your overall sense of fulfillment. Take a moment to reflect on how this awareness shapes your daily journey, guiding you toward meaningful connections and opportunities to serve others. By embracing this truth, you open yourself up to a deeper, more enriching experience as you navigate your path and make choices that align with your higher calling.
- Being an apostle in the marketplace starts with surrendering your career, business, and influence to God.
- Commit to seek God’s guidance in every business decision and professional endeavor.
Practical Steps:
✔ Begin each day in prayer, asking God to use you as His representative, recognizing that each moment is an opportunity to reflect His love and grace.
✔ Seek to glorify God in every business interaction and workplace relationship, ensuring that your actions not only drive success but also foster a spirit of collaboration and respect among your colleagues.
✔ Resist unethical practices and choose to operate with integrity, faith, and excellence, understanding that true success is not measured solely by profits, but also by the positive impact you have on others and the values you uphold in every decision.
Example:
- Truett Cathy (Founder of Chick-fil-A) made it his mission to serve God through business. His restaurants close on Sundays to honor God, despite the financial sacrifice. This decision, rooted in his Christian faith, reflects a commitment to family and community values, allowing his employees to enjoy a day of rest and worship, which he believed was essential for a balanced life. Through these principles, he not only built a successful business but also inspired countless individuals to prioritize their faith and values in their own work and lives.
✔ Quote: “Success is not found in what you achieve, but in what you surrender to God.”
2. Dedicate Your Business and Vocation to the Kingdom
✔ Key Verse: Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
How This Works:
- Your business and career are not just for profit—they are tools to bring God’s Kingdom to the world. This means that every decision you make and every action you take should reflect your commitment to a higher purpose. Consider how you can leverage your skills and resources to serve others, uplift your community, and spread love and compassion in your workplace. By doing so, you not only contribute to your own success but also play a vital role in advancing a vision of hope and grace that transcends financial gain.
- A Kingdom business serves as a platform for evangelism, discipleship, and community transformation, creating opportunities for individuals to grow in their faith while also engaging meaningfully with their surrounding communities, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting ethical practices that reflect the values of the Kingdom.
- Entrepreneurs should see profit as a tool for impact, not just personal gain, recognizing that their financial success can drive positive change in society, support innovation, and provide opportunities for others within their communities.
Practical Steps:
✔ Run your business with Kingdom ethics—fair wages, honest dealings, and excellent service.
✔ Use your workplace as a mission field—offering prayer, mentorship, and discipleship.
✔ Create a culture of faith—allowing space for employees to explore their relationship with God.
Example:
- R.G. LeTourneau, a devoted Christian businessman, incredibly gave 90% of his income to missions and used his innovative company to spread the Gospel worldwide, establishing a remarkable legacy that inspired countless individuals to contribute to charitable causes and serve their communities.
✔ Quote: “When we put God’s Kingdom first in our business, He blesses it beyond our expectations.”
3. Use Your Influence and Network for the Advancement of God’s Kingdom
✔ Key Verse: Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.”
How This Works:
- Entrepreneurs and professionals have access to people that pastors and missionaries may never reach, allowing them to influence and connect with individuals in diverse settings, ranging from corporate environments to social gatherings, thus expanding their impact beyond traditional outreach methods and creating opportunities to foster relationships that can lead to meaningful collaborations, innovative partnerships, and transformative change in various communities.
- Your connections, partnerships, and influence can be strategic tools to spread the Gospel effectively and efficiently, creating opportunities for outreach, community engagement, and fostering relationships that embody the values of love and support found in the teachings of faith.
- God places leaders in high positions to influence culture and bring justice and righteousness into society by guiding their decisions and actions, ensuring that they promote values that uplift the community and reflect divine principles.
Practical Steps:
✔ Build relationships with other Christian business leaders to strengthen each other in faith.
✔ Use your network to support Kingdom initiatives—funding church plants, humanitarian work, and media outreach.
✔ Be vocal about your faith—without being pushy, but by being authentic and leading by example.
Example:
- Hobby Lobby (David Green) used his influence to fight for religious freedom and biblical values in business laws, advocating tirelessly for the rights of companies to operate according to their faith-based principles, and emphasizing the importance of upholding moral standards in the corporate world.
“Your business is your pulpit, and your influence is your ministry.”
4. As a Good Steward, Use All Resources for the Kingdom
✔ Key Verse: Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
How This Works:
- Everything we own belongs to God—our businesses, finances, talents, and time. Each resource we have is entrusted to us to manage wisely and generously, reflecting His abundance and grace in every area of our lives.
- Entrepreneurs must be good stewards of the wealth, opportunities, and influence God has given them.
- Money and resources should be used not just for personal gain but for Kingdom expansion, ensuring that they contribute to the collective growth and well-being of our community, fostering opportunities for all, and allowing us to strengthen our mission and reach out to those in need.
Practical Steps:
✔ Tithe not just your personal income, but your business profits, recognizing that all financial blessings ultimately come from God and should be shared with others in need.
✔ Invest in missions, church planting, education, and social transformation, understanding that these efforts not only advance the Kingdom of God but also empower communities and foster lasting change.
✔ Seek God’s guidance on where to allocate funds for the greatest Kingdom impact, through prayer and consultation with spiritual leaders, ensuring that every dollar spent aligns with divine purpose and contributes to the fulfillment of His plans.
Example:
- YouVersion (Bible App) was funded by a successful businessman who saw an opportunity to use technology for the Gospel. This innovative app has transformed the way millions engage with scripture by providing easy access to various translations and study tools, enabling users to grow in their faith and deepen their understanding of biblical teachings across the globe.
“God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.”
Final Challenge: Will You Accept the Apostolic Marketplace Calling?
Being a Christian entrepreneur is not just about making money—it’s about fulfilling God’s calling to influence the world for His Kingdom.
✔ Are you ready to dedicate your life and business to God’s purposes?
✔ How can you use your influence and network to bring more people into God’s Kingdom?
✔ Are you stewarding your resources in a way that honors God?
Deuteronomy 8:18 – “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers.”
Conclusion: Entrepreneurs as Apostles in the Seven Mountains
Christian entrepreneurs and professionals are called to bring the Kingdom of God into the marketplace by:
- Recognizing the Marketplace as the Seven Mountains – Business, government, media, education, arts, family, and religion.
- Influencing Culture with Kingdom Values – Leading with integrity, excellence, and servant leadership.
- Using Connections for the Kingdom – Leveraging networks for evangelism, discipleship, and advocacy.
- Using Profit to Fund Missions – Giving generously to advance the Gospel and help the poor.
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