What is a “kingdompreneuer” and are you one?

Have you ever wondered what the first idea of some things that exist today must have been like?

Take, for example, the guy who came up with the idea for roller coasters. Imagine what the first conversation about such a contraption might have sounded like. James Miller suggested it must have been something like this …

“Hey Bob, come here. I’ve got an idea.”

“Yeah, Roy, what is it?”

“It’s a vehicle.”

“Like a car?”

“Not quite.”

“How’s it different?”

“It throws you up in the air, and then it throws you down to the ground, then it spins you around in circles, and it makes you feel like you’re going to fall out, and just before you throw up, you get out and find out you haven’t gone anywhere.”

“Sounds like a bad idea, Roy.”

Roller coasters really aren’t that dangerous. They make you feel all kinds of crazy things, but they’re built so that you’re safe the whole time.

That’s kind of how some people see the idea of investing the money they steward into the kingdom of God … like a crazy idea! But it’s really very safe …

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need,” Matthew 6:33.

As you purposely invest in the kingdom of God, the return you see isn’t the normal return of interest on your dollars spent. Instead, the return on investment is a lot of things happening … like people hearing the Gospel and being saved, people in need being ministered to, or perhaps some buildings being constructed, etc. … but the “personal” return is happening in a way you can’t even see. Jesus explained it like this …

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be,” Matthew 6:19-21.

Even in God’s kingdom, doing “kingdom work” requires money to finance that work. Some people might think God supernaturally supplies those funds … well, He does, but He does so by blessing us with the ability to earn it, and then to give portions of it. That might sound like as crazy an idea as a roller coaster, but it’s actually the safest investment you can ever make, as our giving to God results in treasure securely stored in heaven — and the single richest return you can ever gain on your money invested! The practical process and result is described by the apostle Paul like this …

“Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, ‘They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God,” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

In this world, there’s MUCH work to do in the kingdom of God, and to help make it happen we need “kingdompreneuers,” disciples of Jesus who have a passion for investing in God’s kingdom to see lives saved. Paul alluded to such people like this …

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life,” 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

Paul’s intention about giving wasn’t that it was something done haphazardly as a “plate” was being passed, but that it become something disciples of Jesus excel in, kind of like becoming a “kingdompreneuer” …

“Since you excel in so many ways — in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us — I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving,” 2 Corinthians 8:7.

By the way, you don’t have to be rich to be a “kingdompreneuer,” you just need a heart that desires to invest in God’s kingdom, to invest in people, and specifically to invest in Christ’s church.

Does that sound like you?

Are you one of God’s kingdompreneuers?

Scotty