Build A Platform, Not a Career For Great Success

A Platform for Purpose

How do you see your job? Do you see it as more than earning a living? Have you thought of it as a platform for a greater purpose? This is one of the most helpful thought processes you can have, especially if you struggle to find meaning in your work. I started Thrive teaching, in part, to share the power of connecting our business and work to God’s purpose. There are many examples of entrepreneurs, business owners, and workers in the Bible who used their profession to build God’s kingdom. One example of this can be found in the book of Luke:

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Luke 5:1-4 NIVTweet

In this account, Simon (who became Peter) built a boat that Jesus saw as a platform. Jesus used what Peter had built. We spend most days of the week building our businesses, however, when we put it in God’s hands it invites the supernatural power of God.

A New Way of Seeing Your Work

You may have never seen your work this way, but it may be that you will never discover the power of your business until you see it as a platform. I don’t believe it is a coincidence that Peter’s biggest catch comes immediately after He allows Jesus to use His boat as a platform for the gospel. Perhaps, your biggest business breakthrough is on the other side of surrendering it to God. It simply highlights the principle found in one of my favorite verses in the bible:

Make the Kingdom of God and life in loyalty to Him, the object of all your endeavor, and you will get all these other things as well.

Matthew 6:33 BARTweet

Here is the key for every business, give it to God, and allow Him to use it to reach people and see what He will do. I could never have imagined how God would use a construction company to change and impact so many lives.

Using your business to further the kingdom of God is your ministry.  Ministry is not limited to a church building or a Sunday service. You have unique gifts and skills that are needed in the workplace. This is why we use the term “marketplace ministry.”  Your place and purpose are found in the marketplace. Your ability was given to you by God and He will use them if you willingly give them back to him. This connection between my faith and work has been life-changing. God has truly used my business as a platform to share the gospel and He wants to use yours also.