National CHRISTIAN BUSINESS DIRECTORY – WHY DO WE NEED ONE?

I offer 10 reasons why a national dedicated Christian business directory is needed.

1. The Lord commands His blessing on brethren in unity. Psalm 133 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity … for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore”. David uses two comparisons to describe the joy of brethren sitting together/ working together in unity, namely aromatic anointing perfume and refreshing mountain dew. We seek God’s blessing on all out business dealings and it comes through working with other believers in unity.
2. It is a witness to the world. John 17:23 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:21 “that they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in you; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
3. It is a prayer of Jesus that all believers may be one as He is one with the Father. So let’s be an answer to the prayer of Jesus. John 17:11 “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You, Holy Father, keep through Your name those You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”
4. It is encouraging believers in Christ. It is Christ in our brother or sister who reaches out to Christ in us. We are united in and through Christ alone. We can support them. We can help build them up.
5. Unity creates an environment that honours God. God is honoured as we unite with fellow believers in Christ, to obey His Word and work together in love.
6. Assisting one another builds the work of each business, builds the kingdom businesses, builds the kingdom of God. When we support each other the business can survive, face challenges, remains impactful, resilient and thrive in a competitive market.
7. Follow on businesses can partner with each other eg a Christian estate agent can pass the work for transfer of a property to a fellow believing lawyer. We can commence to network together with combined collective missions to glorify God. 
8. A Christian business directory is a valuable resource offering a practical and impactful way for believers in Christ to easily find and connect with faith based businesses across different industries, from services and products to professional contracting and be able to make informed choices. It fosters a community that reflects shared faith and values.
9. It is putting “feet” to our faith. James 2:14-26: “faith without works is dead”. While praying for God to build and establish His kingdom, by supporting Christian businesses we are putting action to our faith prayers. Relationships are formed and we can pray for other fellow believers and invest in each other.
10. It is a platform for collaboration and mentorship where businesses can receive teaching, or share expertise, insights and encouragement.

Areas of Caution:

1. Believers must be accountable.
2. Believers must be teachable
3. Believers must be mentored if necessary
4. Believers must serve the community not try and make a quick dollar
5. Believers must uphold ethical standard and model integrity
6. Individuals must be committed to fair and honest practices

We need to guard against:

• profiteers coming on board
• non-believers joining
• workmanship to be professional