There's an imaginary tiered system that we often think about if we were raised in church. Imagine a pyramid of importance, with the missionaries at the top - I mean they risk their lives all day long for the Gospel and left their homelands, the state-side ministers below them, the health care people below them, and then all the businesspeople... right above purgatory.
I write this jokingly, but there is a manufactured disconnect between business and mission. In all reality, Paul, arguably the best human missionary in the Bible, was in fact a tentmaker. He used this skill to make money to support the spread of the gospel.
Fast forward to the present day and a new trend is helping us complete the Great Commission to reach the whole world with the gospel, including the places where we are forbidden. Businesses have been started in other countries with the expressed intention of not just bringing economic development and monetary profit, but also the chance to disciple workers 8 hours+ daily.
We have started an importer business with this exact aim. I can already tell that there are unique challenges. The amount of work that has to be done is very challenging. When you work on something that much, it becomes evident that obsession creeps in. Obsession is an enemy of God. It's also known by its sinister flavors of lust, greed, idolatry. Working hard is necessary, but remaining faithful to God is moreso.
May God have His way with us and may His Good News go where it is not permitted.
