Workplace ministry is the front line for biblical generosity

In 2021, the U.S. market size of the Commercial Real Estate industry measured $1 trillion in revenue. When you work in an industry with those kinds of numbers, you pay close attention to the numbers in black on the balance sheet. But as a follower of Christ, it’s the words in red that drive Jack Kim. In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus declares The Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. For Jack, buying into the mindset spoken through Jesus in the Gospel was a personal breakthrough for him – and a game changer for his real estate business. 

Stewarding a business by giving of first fruits
For example, in a Chicago office building deal, only 10% of the total investment pool participated in allowing tithing to come out of the deal. Even so, every year $500,000-600,000 goes into a donor advised fund that is then distributed to organizations that support inner city youth in Denver and Chicago – that’s a lot of ministry being funded from just one investment! This outcome proves to Jack that God is a God of abundance – all we have to do is follow His design. 

Jesus’ words in red anchor us for Kingdom impact
“I love Jesus’ heart for us,” Jack says. “He lays out The Great Commission in such a clear, simple way, presenting a singular mission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… When the world (and Satan) works hard to distract our focus, His words in red anchor us in truth.” As the body of Christ, we are to equip and send, not hoard and settle in.

Workplace ministry is the front line for biblical generosity
The idea that we are to equip and send is what Jack loves about workplace ministry. According to author Jessice Pryce-Jones, It’s where we spend nearly 100,000 hours over our lifetime. What better arena do we have for a witnessing platform, especially as stewards of the business God entrusts us with? 

KORE is a business operating in a secular space with a Kingdom identity. To Jack, ministry in the workplace starts with the first interview, because it’s important that every employee understands and supports the organizational mission. Ministry is carried out daily through weekly prayer meetings and collaborating with investors to leverage revenue streams for maximum Kingdom impact. And, KORE says they don’t renovate office buildings, they activate them by creating opportunities for community with the individuals that occupy their spaces. To Jack, these daily acts are chances to carry out The Great Commission.

Jack says companies, organizations, and individuals alike don’t have to overhaul their entire business structure to minister in the workplace. They can participate in impact investing or choose to be a philanthropic investment company through tithing.  “It doesn’t matter if I’m a pastor, a lawyer, a real estate broker, or an Uber driver – it’s a universal priesthood where we are called to be missionaries for the Kingdom,” Jack says. 

Stewardship means answering to an audience of One
Jack knows that when you live life as a steward and understand nothing belongs to you, you live differently. Society tells us that we need to answer to religion, culture, or a multitude of other voices. But Jack finds freedom in answering to one voice – the One written in red in the Gospel.

“He put enough resources on this earth in terms of water, food, people, and money. If we are all being good stewards of what we’ve been put in charge of, there should be enough,” Jack says. “Since there is a shortage, that means we’re not following the model. I don’t have it all figured out yet, but KORE is one way I’m working on it.”

Your business can be a powerful giving engine to support ministries and charities you love. Giving from a business provides ongoing, sustainable support to the organizations doing great work while offering tax incentives for you, the giver. Reach out to our team to learn more about how you can steward your business for greater kingdom impact.