Business Is a Gift: Faith & Work for Christian Leaders

“The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” – St.

Irenaeus In 2025, that means fully alive in the workplace, the boardroom, the startup, and the street.

From Viking Roots to IKEA: A Global Reminder That Transformation Is Possible In a powerful and timely message at the Fourth Lausanne Congress , speaker Mats Tunehag reminded us that transformation isn’t just possible—it’s essential.

Born in Sweden, a land once known for conquest and war, Tunehag quips that today, his homeland exports flat-packed furniture and hospitality: “You’re welcome!” His point?

People, businesses, and nations can change—and when rooted in God’s vision for business , they can flourish.

Business Is More Than Profit—It’s a God-Given Calling At Cities Project Global , we believe business is not just a marketplace mechanism—it’s a mission.

It’s the engine God uses to bring shalom to cities , restore dignity to communities, and invite every generation into purposeful, creative work.

Mats Tunehag echoed this calling boldly: “Business—that is a gift from God to transform the world.” That’s not just a catchy idea.

Global poverty has decreased dramatically in recent decades—from 3 out of 10 people to 1 out of 10.

The biggest lift out of poverty in human history happened through entrepreneurship, jobs, and sustainable business growth.

Tunehag challenges us to rethink wealth the way the Bible does: Financial wealth is good—but insufficient.

Social wealth (friendship, dignity, equity).

Cultural, intellectual, emotional wealth —all are part of God’s economy.

True wealth, biblical wealth, must first be created—before it can be shared.” The Wealth Creation Manifesto (by Lausanne and BAM Global) confirms this: “Wealth creation is a holy calling and a God-given gift which is commanded in the Bible.” Deuteronomy, Jobs, and Jesus We often separate work and worship, business and mission.

In Deuteronomy 8, God commands His people to engage in business —mining, agriculture, and commerce—while reminding them: “I am the Lord your God who gives you the ability to create wealth.” (Deut 8:18) This isn’t prosperity gospel.

It’s about using what we’ve been given to bless all peoples and all nations .

At Cities Project Global, we call this faith-driven economic transformation —and it’s core to how we train and equip leaders around the world.

In Hebrew, the word Avoda means both “work” and “worship.” There is no divide.

“Worship is not sanctified entertainment.

Work is worship.” – Mats Tunehag Through Avoda , we co-create with God.

This idea connects directly to the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam —repairing the world.

As Tunehag puts it, “The Lord’s Prayer is a Tikkun Olam prayer.” Business is a tool to bring heaven’s justice, creativity, and restoration into a broken marketplace.

Look at North and South Korea —same people, culture, and geography, but vastly different outcomes.

Look at Venezuela , rich in oil, yet crushed under failed economic stewardship.

Or look at Norway , transformed 200 years ago by a revivalist entrepreneur, Hans Nielsen Hauge , whose faith and business impact still echo today.

These aren’t random outcomes—they’re consequences of how nations handle wealth creation .

The Marketplace Needs You A recent global McKinsey study shows that across cultures, ages, and belief systems, the majority of people consider spiritual health just as important as physical and mental health.

The marketplace is hungry—for meaning, for mission, for you .

That’s why we must propose—not impose—Jesus through our businesses.

Faith is not a forceful add-on; it’s a compelling proposition that transforms both the owner and the outcome.

This Is What Love Looks Like At the heart of this vision is not economics, but love.

The ears to hear the sighs of the world.” This is Business as Mission (BAM) .