“If you have anything or if I have anything, it’s because it’s been given to us by our Creator.” This was said by David Green a Christian and entrepreneur who owns Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby is the largest privately-owned arts-and-crafts retailer and is active internationally in offices in China. This craft store has gain attention in recent years for the controversy of its public evangelical practices. David and his wife Barbra Green have been strong in their faith and letting it show through their business. This is so rare for a company now a day to operate upon their faith beliefs instead of what produces the greatest profit. Culture today is money and business-driven, but the Green’s actively make their company about Christ. They have stated on multiple occasions that the work they do is all for the honor of the Lord and they create a work environment that emits kindness and love.
The Greens carry an inclusive nature about themselves and are actively giving back. Generosity is a large part of the Green’s life and has been actively involved in donating to charities and Christian schools. Their most recent focus is on the attempt to implement a biblical curriculum in public schools. This is an admirable goal that is outside of the skill set of the Greens, however, they are willing to put societal norms. They want any child around the world to have access to the writings of the Bible and the word of Christ. Redemptive entrepreneurship is about going out of your comfort zone for the word of the Lord and not being limited by boundaries that society creates.
I think David Green being so open about his faith is part of the reason that his business is so successful. Keeping a Christian and redemptive mindset while opening and then running a business is very important as Christian entrepreneurs. I give him a lot of credit for all the trials and tabulations he has been through over the years but it goes to show that our faith is more important and impactful than just a business.
I agree that much of his success is from being so openly Christian. But he also could have avoided a lot of pain and heartache if he would have just operated business and fit in with the crowd. But that is the price we pay for being open about our faith, God never said our life was going to be easy, actually he said we will face persecution because of what we believe, and we have to be ready for this as believers.