What’s the point of making more money when you already have enough? Why work if there is nothing you can’t afford? After a lifetime of hard work and entrepreneurial struggle, isn’t it time to kick back and relax? The answers to these questions all get back to a person’s sense of calling and how it is expressed in the different dimensions of their life. One great example of how Christian business people live out their calling is the Green Family of Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
With $600 in 1970 the Green Family started Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (www.hobbylobby.com) in their living room. David Green turned Hobby Lobby into one of the most successful companies in its market niche in the U.S. with over 600 locations (all of which are closed on Sundays) and generating approximately $4 billion in revenue. Forbes ranks the Green family among US billionaires and has reported on the family’s staggering generosity.
The Green Family has donated more than $700 million, primarily to various evangelical Christian causes and educational institutions. The Green Family has committed to giving away 50% of the profits generated from its business. At the same time his faith is very evident through his business.
As stated on the corporate website, at Hobby Lobby is committed to, “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles” and “Providing a return on the owner's investment, sharing the Lord's blessings with our employees, and investing in our community.” The website further states that, “We believe that it is by God's grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured. He has been faithful in the past, and we trust Him for our future.”
David’s son, Mart, is Chairman of the Board. He grew up in the family business. Mart told me that his father David believes that every extra dollar they make is more financial resources for building the Kingdom. Mart explained that his father is simply stewarding his resources: the best use of his time is to keep doing more of the same: growing profitability and expanding capacity to give to worthwhile causes.
Likewise, Mart is living out his calling by carefully stewarding his own opportunities. The family business gives him untold opportunities for influence in a secular society. At 19, Mart established Mardel, with 35 Christian and educational supply stores in seven states. In June 2002, Mart founded and was Producer/CEO behind “End of the Spear” which was released to theaters in January 2006. In January 2008, Mart became Board Chair of the Board of Trustees at Oral Roberts University .
In 2010, Mart started a journey to build a Digital Bible Library through an alliance called “Every Tribe Every Nation.” Its goal is to centralize, digitize, standardize and finalize the Bible texts of the world. This will make it easier for audio, video, mobile and print-on-demand ministries to get the Bible texts that they need.
Mart delivered the keynote at the ELO Conference, Toronto, on October 23rd titled, “The Family Enterprise: How to Live, Work & Give Together.” He talked about the development of Hobby Lobby and how the business has allowed his family to have a great impact. Family involvement has extended to the third generation.
The founder, David, still enjoys work and keeps coming to the office. The second generation are involved in the business and pursuing charitable initiatives. The third generation is involved, too. At last year’s event, Kyler Green, Mart’s son, spoke about his involvement in directing charitable activities.
Mart’s son, Tyler, joined him at the ELO event. Since 2009, Tyler has worked alongside his family at Hobby Lobby. His current role as the Ministries Coordinator empowers him to connect with a number of Kingdom partnerships that the family/company resources. He also works to pass on the value of generosity within the culture of the company and family.
Businesspeople can leverage their expertise for great Kingdom-impact. The profitability of their venture can fuel many ministry undertakings. Mart’s father, David, came from a family of pastors—but he realized he was in ministry even though he was in business.
Both Mart and Tyler have continued this approach of living out their calling in the marketplace. There is no sacred / secular distinction when it comes to calling. Business is one of many equally valid arenas to exercise calling. People don’t leave business to do ministry—they are in ministry.