by Dr. K. Shelette Stewart

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is generally defined as the integration of business operations and values in such a way that the interests of all of a company’s stakeholders (e.g., investors, customers, employees, and the community) are reflected in the company’s policies and practices. Most of us are familiar with two common initiatives within CSR plans: corporate philanthropy and cause-related marketing (CRM), or cause marketing.

Corporate philanthropy refers to charitable initiatives that help a company increase visibility, attract loyal customers, and offer employees the opportunity to band together in support of major social and civic concerns. A number of companies oversee corporate philanthropy vis-a-vis their corporate foundation, public relations, or external affairs department.

Many studies from Harvard Business School, and other prominent researchers, have found that leading companies have discovered that there is a strong business case for corporate philanthropy and community involvement. Empirical research studies have shown that people looking to work for a particular company have actually admitted that they factor in whether or not they view the company as a good corporate citizen. Studies have also shown that employees feel good in knowing that their company is engaged in giving back to the community.

In recent years, cause marketing has become more prevalent in business. Cause marketing is defined as a commercial activity by which businesses and charities form partnerships with each other to market an image, product, or service for mutual benefit. It’s an initiative for addressing social causes and issues by providing resources and funding while simultaneously addressing business objectives.

How do we, as God’s ambassadors in the marketplace, take corporate philanthropy to a Higher level?  How do we align our wealth with our values to the extent that we advance from building up our company to building up the kingdom of God?  How do we pursue kingdom philanthropy?

Given rampant cases of terrorism, starvation, domestic violence, and health-related pandemics, there is certainly no scarcity of viable civic and social causes for any company interested in philanthropy. While many of these epidemics are at national and global levels, when it comes to addressing victims at the local grassroots community level, it’s usually up to the neighborhood churches and other civic organizations to support individual victims and their families.  Following are a few practical insights and pragmatic ways for aligning wealth and values

• When we as Christian business leaders began to include formal support of God’s churches and Christian organizations within the context of our marketing plans and philanthropic outreach efforts, we will have begun the process of bringing corporate philanthropy and charitable giving to a Higher level.

• When you use your wealth and marketing influence to help advance worthy causes, the Lord will reward you (Matthew 19:17; Galatians 6:9).  Have the courage and fortitude to support churches and civic organizations in ways that are important and necessary, even if they are not always high profile and publicity generating.

• By pursuing kingdom philanthropy, your company will serve as a model corporate citizen for others in the community and a catalyst for drawing more attention to, and support for, important charitable initiatives. And for this, you and your organization will also be tremendously blessed by God.

By aligning our wealth with our values and incorporating God’s kingdom principles, we become the magnificent trendsetters and market innovators God created us to be. Remember, God says we are the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28: 13). We should not be following the world; the world should be following us.

This article was originally published here by The CEF Podcast.

Few people have been a consistent voice of wisdom than the Christian Economic Forum, and Chuck Bentley especially. If you’ve been following the website for a while, you’ve certainly seen multiple CEF whitepapers, which are a collection of innovative ideas from some of the world’s leading faith driven entrepreneurs and investors.

Recently, Chuck and his team at CEF had Henry Kaestner on their podcast to talk COVID-19, generosity in the midst of crisis, and alternative recovery scenarios.

Listen in to hear Henry share:

• How his near-death experience last year has impacted his perspective on COVID-19

• The 3-part strategy he recommends to entrepreneurs about running their businesses in this environment

• Observations from Silicon Valley during the crisis

• His response to 4 possible economic recovery scenarios

• And stories of faith, hope, and love in the midst of hardship

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19, PLEASE SEE OUR PAGE HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE BEST RESOURCES OUT THERE FOR FAITH DRIVEN INVESTORS & ENTREPRENEURS IN THIS SEASON.

Article originally posted here by Access Ventures

by Bryce Butler

2020 will be a year to remember…or at least it should be. As many of us want to move past the moments of 2020, history and the circumstances of 2020, should stick with us and move us towards a better future in the most ideal of circumstances.

A global pandemic; economic justice, and Black Lives Matter protests; record swings in the stock market propped up by record-low interest rates; and, all amid the insanity of the election cycle still not fully realized until our new President is sworn in. Moreover, entire economic lockdowns and frighteningly high unemployment and business closures will have a lasting impact long after the pandemic is passed.

Related to the economy, we saw a recovery in the third quarter of 2020, expanding by 33.1%, although not enough to offset earlier losses from the initial closures, including the 5% decline in real GDP at an annual rate in the first quarter.

The March recession ended 128 months of expansion, the longest in U.S. history, and quarterly GDP had never experienced a drop greater than 10% since record-keeping began in 1947. And in April, the unemployment rate skyrocketed to 14.7% as companies furloughed workers. It remained in the double digits until August when it steadily declined. In the week ending December 12, though, claims rose sharply to 853,000, marking the largest increase in claims filed since mid-September.

With all of this in 2020, it’s hard to escape the simple fact that the economy is a significant factor in daily life. Millions of Americans have continued to struggle and are unable to fully participate in the various opportunities many of their fellow citizens have access to every day. And if we are being honest, many are fearful and have lost both trust in the system and hope for a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. For an economy to function at its best, it needs to be equitable, dynamic, and resilient. It is not just creating stability for some people but creating stability so that every person is free from worry about financial roadblocks or unforeseen issues. Therefore, for an economy to be a thriving economy, it must be an inclusive economy and when a system prioritizes people it will be more inclusive and creative.

We are facing a moral crisis in our economy with greater isolation and accelerating inequality. Poverty persists and economic mobility remains limited for many people. All, while there is increased sentiment that more and more people do not have a fair chance to succeed and that vulnerable groups, are excluded from the jobs, schools, and opportunities they need to move up – leaving them stuck in poverty for years or even for generations.

However, I doubt many of us want our communities to function in this way. We generally do not imagine communities deficient in opportunity. Instead, we desire to live in a society in which we care for one another. A society that fosters a sense of trust, belonging, and safety. A society where we have an individual and a collective sense that we can, as part of that community, influence our surroundings and our very future. Moreover, we do not simply imagine a community with just the basics present but a community that allows us to thrive. In this community, there is an investment in human knowledge and learning; where social trust, empathy, and solidarity are present; where beauty and creativity define a place and inspires us; where there is both natural and physical health; and where the economy is thriving through growth and innovation.

An equitable economy means there are more opportunities available to enable upward mobility for more people. All segments of society, especially the poor or socially disadvantaged groups, are able to take advantage of these opportunities. Inequality is declining, rather than increasing. And people have equal access to a more solid economic foundation.

Too many people have virtually no access to the economy. Of those who do have access, many face limitations on their ability to participate fully (they lack the economic autonomy to make decisions for themselves and freely move within the system). “This is more than economic inequality—it’s economic exclusion.” It is time we focus on expanding opportunities and limiting exploitation so that everyone wins, together.

That is why in our work at Access Ventures, whether it’s our direct initiatives, investments, or broader managed assets, we pursue people, companies, and funds aligned with this mission to improve equality and increase economic prosperity (agency). We look closely at things like geographic, gender, and racial equity in our managers and investments (i.e. things that support ownership) as well as things like income mobility and the creation and increase of wealth for under-represented people. Next week, I’ll explore a bit more at what a more dynamic economy looks like as we seek to further define our collective efforts at Access Ventures.

by Jimmy Rousey

My brother recently passed away, and his funeral gave me new insight into his life.

The crowd was large, and people waited over two hours to express their sympathy to the family. I heard stories from his neighbors about how he would mow their lawns right before he knew they would return from a trip or vacation. His friends told us of the impact he had on their lives through his consistent kindness. I also thought of his many mission trips to Poland, Russia, and Eastern Kentucky. The people he served there won’t know of his passing, but perhaps his life influenced them and their families.

In talking to these friends and neighbors, I realized this truth: Each of our lives is reflected in the people we interact with here on earth and have left behind.

When we are gone, our legacy can continue in the businesses we built or the money we earned, but the biggest impact is in the lives of those we interacted with. A small interaction could profoundly impact the other person, and the change in their life could be reflected through their children, grandchildren, and so on.

My grandfather drove a church bus for over 20 years. He drove elderly church members and children to First Baptist Church in Danville, and he never missed a Sunday. Though some might look at this role as small or insignificant, he touched countless lives through the simple act of driving people to church. His commitment and dedication certainly influenced me.

The impact of a life well lived is far more significant than anything we will ever see or know. The average person meets about 10,000 people in their lifetime. From deep friendships formed while young to small interactions at a restaurant or grocery store, we have vast potential for having an impact on others.

“To the world, you might be one person, but to one person, you might be the world.” – Dr. Suess

An intern I mentor in our business could witness how we strive to run our company—with godly integrity and generosity. They might carry those values with them into their future workplace or company, impacting their team members and employees. Perhaps they will be inspired to live out those same values at work and home. We have seen the power and impact businesses and corporations have, for good or bad. I believe that if a spirit of generosity swept through our current marketplace and economy, many problems and needs in our country and around the world would be solved.

A team member might join our company simply to receive a paycheck. Still, they also steadily receive care, compassion, and opportunities to grow spiritually, professionally, and emotionally. We offer unique benefits and team care opportunities that empower team members to show the same care and generosity towards others. These benefits include mission trip assistance, counseling services, spiritual resources, adoption assistance, scholarships, donation matches, and more. We believe that these opportunities have a lasting impact on our team members and their families.

A customer looking for a home loan might receive guidance and wisdom from a loan officer that another bank doesn’t provide. For example, we encourage our customers to pay off loans quickly, even though we make more money when the loan is owed longer. Even as a financial institution, we want our customers to find financial freedom because:

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7

This perspective could set that customer on the path to financial freedom and stability, creating an example for their children and breaking generational cycles of debt and bad financial habits. What impact will this have as that customer’s children become adults and have children of their own?

As a leader of our company, I understand my influence on customers, team members, and community members. The words of Luke 12:48 explain the weight of this responsibility:

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

No matter the role, many of us probably have more influence on others than we realize. However, we must use our time and influence wisely. Influence is just like time—if you don’t use it, you lose it.

A person must strategically think about how they are using their influence, asking themselves questions such as: Am I encouraging those around me to show love, humility, generosity, and kindness, or do I often overlook my time spent with others to focus on the next item in my schedule? Am I focused on the difference I can make in the lives of others or just my business and personal legacy?

I see so many people striving for a legacy in today’s world, both through vain ambitions and good acts like generosity and advocacy. Yet I know that, generations from now, my business will eventually be forgotten. Buildings, parks, or projects I donated to that bear our company’s name will be torn down, paved over, or lost, as we are reminded of in Matthew 6:20:

“Store your treasures in heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

My only eternal, lasting legacy is the impact I have on others. My daily, personal interactions are the starting point to this impact. I can focus on the next deal or investment, forgetting how important a small act of kindness can be, or I can look at another person and ask myself: How will I be reflected in them? As the hurried boss? The commanding leader? The pressuring salesman? Or as a trusted advisor, mentor, or friend who took time to ask about their family, listen to them, and offer advice and care?

In the corporate world especially, I often witness people trying to climb the ladder of success. As the saying goes, they get to the top and realize the ladder has been leaning against the wrong wall. While they spent all their time working and striving for worldly success in business, they neglected their family or other more lasting priorities.

Our spiritual well-being and the time we invest in our families are the most important walls we can lean our ladders on. When we get to the top, we will see a life well lived, with our kindness, love, and generosity reflected in those around us.

How do we live this way? The answer is to live with intentionality. This allows us to finish the race of life in the way we want to. Without intentionality, it can be all too easy to work a few more hours each day, skip that family vacation, or focus on appearing successful rather than giving generously.

A poem that inspires me to live this way is called ‘The Dash’ by Linda Ellis. She reflects that our entire lives are summarized in the dash between birth and death on our tombstones. The end of the poem reminds me of what will truly matter in the end:

So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent YOUR dash?

When my time on earth is over, I don’t want my legacy to be a temporary memory of financial success or vain endeavors. I want my life to be a reflection of love, patience, kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others. I want each person I interacted with to carry a small part of that reflection into their own lives so that, even when my name is forgotten, the impact I had will be carried on for generations.

What will your reflection be? What would others say your reflection will be? What changes should you make now to ensure your reflection is what you want?

Article originally hosted and shared with permission by The Christian Economic Forum, a global network of leaders who join together to collaborate and introduce strategic ideas for the spread of God’s economic principles and the goodness of Jesus Christ. This article was from a collection of White Papers compiled for attendees of the CEF’s Global Event.

by Rob Loughery

I recently spent some time catching up with a few guys I played college football with nearly 35  years ago. We were reminiscing and “trying to recapture a little of the glory,” as Springsteen’s  “Glory Days” so accurately suggests. It’s interesting to me, as I think all of us, no matter our age  or experience, have this inner desire to recapture the good ole days of the past. Whether our  memories are correct in how glorious the past was, I believe our hearts are deeply wired to a  longing for things to be restored or redeemed to the glory that they once were. We desire to  see what is broken, fixed; what is old and tired, renewed. This goes much deeper than the glory  days of high school or college; it goes to the original glory of Creation, the longing to see the  fallen world, redeemed and restored.

The apostle Paul captures the essence of this longing in Romans 8:19-25 when he writes, “The  creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed…the whole creation has  been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we  ourselves…groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our  bodies.” What Paul is saying is that creation knows, and we know, too, that some time, and we  hope sooner than later, things will be redeemed, restored to the way it was meant to be – back  to the glory days. We all, including creation, groan inwardly for this restoration. There was  paradise and it was lost. We want it back again. I believe that is what is woven in the fabric of  our hearts. That is a longing we all deeply crave.

Think about the great fairy tales and Disney movies. Being a father of three daughters, I have  watched and read my share of them. How do they begin? “Once upon a time….” The once upon  a time was a glorious past, a time when things were right and good. In every tale like these,  unfortunately, some tragic event takes place that dismantles the fairy tale beginning. Someone  opposed to that good story seeks to destroy that beautiful setting. The princess is locked up in  the castle and a spell is cast upon her or the prince is turned into a beast and his kingdom is  invaded. Something terrible happens that disrupts paradise and the good ole days aren’t so  good anymore…paradise is lost. The characters in these tales long for things to be as they once  were, they long for the glory of the past to be restored. They await a hero to rescue them.  Sound familiar?

I love the way Genesis 1 and John 1 start: “In the beginning…” Just like “Once upon a time…”  We know that in the beginning it was good. God said so. He was pleased. This isn’t a fairy tale,  however. It’s a true story. Once upon a time we lived in community with Him – in community

with creation and with one another. Yet, we don’t even get out of the third chapter of the story  before a spell is cast, a kingdom invaded and a community divided. You see my point: it’s  Genesis 1 and 2 that we long for, not our days from high school or college or the nostalgia of  1950’s or 1980’s. That’s what creation, as Paul notes in Romans 8, is groaning for, too. It is what  we ‘groan inwardly’ for, as well. It’s written in our hearts; it’s the larger story we live in.

The writer of Ecclesiastes illustrates this point precisely. You see this longing – the groaning – is written in our hearts from the beginning of time: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done for  them from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Each and every one of us knows…we just can’t  quite put our finger on it. We sense, deep down inside, that something is just not right, that  there must be something more. We can faintly recall this long ago past. It’s what we inherently  want because we know we were made for more, for something better.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that we can have what was lost and broken, redeemed  and restored. We know that what awaits us is not only a new life in Christ, but a new paradise where we will live in authentic community with Him for eternity. A life the way God intended it  to be. This is true. It’s not a fairy tale. This is the promise of His story: a restored Kingdom, “on  earth as it is in Heaven.” “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them….  there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has  passed away.” (Rev 21:3-4) This is the story that each and everyone us live in. As believers we  know this promise to be true: “I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5) But, what about now,  we ask.

God invites us in the present moment to be part of the redemption of this world. We don’t  need to sit it out reminiscing about the glory days, passively waiting for it to come back. In fact,  we must act as though it depends on us. Through the power of the Gospel, God calls us to keep  in motion His perfect plan to redeem the world. God has given us the resources and the talents to renew, rebuild and restore community, including the physical (creation), the relational  (people) and the spiritual (faith) elements. He has invited us to be part of this great mission and it is up to us to invest our time, talents and resources to advance His Kingdom here on  earth.

I really don’t think we fully understand or grasp that we have this authority and the resources from Him to do these works. I feel most of us think that this type of ability is reserved for the  famous characters in the Bible and not for you and me. But recall the story in Luke about the  seventy-two whom Jesus sent out on a mission. They weren’t exactly a heavenly host of angels

or the next twelve draft picks to be disciples. They were just “seventy-two others.” I would  guess, a lot like you and me. When they return to Jesus after their work in the fields, they were  filled with “joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” (Luke 10:17) Look at what they were able to accomplish. Jesus rejoiced, too, because He knew what those who  follow and abide in Him were capable to accomplish: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from  heaven. I have given you authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the  power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:18-20) Boy, were they surprised. And I  think Jesus was, too. Surprised in the sense that He witnessed what His Father was up to: “At  that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and  earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to  little children.” (Luke 10:21)

Luke notes that Jesus was filled with joy at what He saw and then records these words from  Jesus: “Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (Luke 10:21) Now, please don’t read that  line of scripture and hear it as coming from the mild-mannered Jesus you remember pictured in  those colorful Sunday school workbooks you used as a child. Rather, read that with the same  type of emphasis while picturing an NFL player doing a dance in the end zone after he just  scored a touchdown. You see it pleased the Father that this was part of His plan and it was  revealed to everyone in attendance that day, which was probably a lot more than twelve plus  seventy-two. Jesus, who is stoked about what just happened, turns to the side (think end zone  dance) and privately expresses his joy to the twelve disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see  what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did  not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Luke 10:23) In other words, the  power and authority that prophets and kings throughout the centuries wanted to have and see  on display was finally here. That’s a lot of power we are armed with…are we making a  difference with it for His kingdom?

If we invest our time, talents and our resources, we can have that type of impact too. We are  called to be part of God’s redemptive plan. We are called to use and invest the resources God  has blessed and provided us with to fix what is broken and redeem what has been lost. It is only  through the power of the resurrected King that we have this ability, for He alone has conquered  sin and death. These tasks are not reserved for only missionaries, ministries and pastors. As  faith-based investors and businesses, we have a critical role to play just like the seventy-two.  We must for much is at stake and we know, that in the end, we live happily ever after.

Nehemiah Development Company is a faith driven, PA real estate developer that’s deeply aligned with the Faith Driven movement as we “build redemptive community by renewing and restoring the physical, spiritual, and relational aspects of community that God desires and intended for us to dwell in”. We’re also 4th Soil Investments, the funds that back the projects, “Real Estate Investing for Financial Returns with a Kingdom Impact”.