Business and the Kingdom

By Valery Coudaev

Armavir, Russia

Oleg Seleznev (left) was an elder of a church in the North Caucasus when God led him to start a car repair company. God blessed him and he prospered and became known as the best engineer in town. Then God revealed an opportunity to set up a chicken incubator. It was unprofitable at that time but Oleg believed God’s word spoken to him and stepped forward boldly. Little by little the business started flourishing. He is now developing a new plant for bio-diesel.

Oleg is generous, very sociable, has a gentle spirit and is always ready to help. His house is always open for people from the church. Now working mainly as a businessman, he developed a team of elders in his church and moved to the Armavir church to help the apostolic team. He leads a group of young businessmen and teaches them the principles of the kingdom in business. Here he shares issues on his heart.

Q: What is your attitude to work?

A: I don’t like the word ‘business’. I prefer ‘my calling’. The Bible teaches us, ‘those who will not work shouldn’t eat’. It’s important to be hard-working. God set an example when He created the world. Scripture tells us it is important to work to provide for yourself and your family, and to support the poor. We can help through giving, but there is another way. We can set up business enterprises to provide people with work and finances to support themselves.

Q: You’ve reached your goals, do you face any difficulties?

A: When you have success, it’s important to check your motives. Why do you do it? Many set up businesses focused on money and riches. Some are looking for authority and prestige. I know Christians who started their business with God but then pride and haughtiness made them live according to the world. Our life depends on the answer to, ‘But who do you say I am?’ (Matt. 16:15). Some saw him as a prophet, others considered him as a healer, some were looking for his provision. Everyone considered him to be the person they wanted him to be. Who is Jesus for us? If we look only for our needs to be met, we will seek only financial provision. But, when we see him as our Lord and Master, then we share his success.

Q: What are the main characteristics of a businessman?

A: First, how he spends his income. How much does he spend on himself, his family and church? Once I read a biography of a famous Christian preacher and his will was to give all his finances to the church. As for his son he told him, ‘I leave you with God who blessed me abundantly.’ That story touched me deeply. It proves that as Christians we are not the masters of our life, income and money.

Second, we shouldn’t be lazy. Once in England we met a homeless person. We started talking to him and he said that he knows that there are rehabilitation centres to help them, but they don’t want to go there, because it’s much easier to beg. That suits them more than normal life. That’s not acceptable for us as Christians. Often people say it’s difficult to find a job. It’s not true. There is a lot of work to do. It’s important to start even when it’s a low-paid job, and to be loyal and faithful. Then God will bless. When you sit at home and do nothing it’s hardly ever going to lead to God’s blessing.

Q: You worked as an elder for more than ten years and ran your business. What would you advise people to do in the same situation?

A: To combine business and pastoring is difficult. When your church is small you can spend time with people and develop your business. Then you have to make a choice. If you are called to lead the church you should be focused on church and pass your business to someone you trust. If you are called to develop business opportunities and help others to expand the kingdom then you have to pass the church to the other team members. The main purpose of a businessman is to be faithful in giving to the church to provide the opportunities for church planting. If you set up your business without any intention to give to the church you will serve mammon.

In the Old Testament the kings and priests worked together. Priests were mainly focused on spiritual things while kings were focused on earthly kingdoms. The priests were supported by kings. The same principle applies in the New Testament and still does. If church doesn’t bless and pray for businessmen it will be difficult for businessmen to run businesses. Church and business need each other. We want to see the Lord glorified and exalted among all the peoples of the earth, because he is worthy and looks for worshippers. In order to bring those worshippers we need God, His power and His provision. That’s a passion that has gripped my heart.