By Sarabeth Stone
What is the chief end of man? The timeless answer resounds with profound simplicity: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. In his presentation to the South Carolina Christian Consortium in November, Will Huss, CEO of Trehel, explained why this foundational principle shouldn’t be confined to Sunday mornings or private devotions—instead permeating every aspect of life, including our profession.
In his presentation, Mr. Huss outlined six transformative principles that can help every business leader reshape how we approach work, leadership, and purpose. It starts with understanding the difference between an “occupation” versus a “vocation,” and ends with a constant recognition of just “Who is holding whom.”
1. Think: Vocation vs. Occupation
Reshaping how we approach work can start with the terminology we use.
“We typically use the words occupation or job when we are talking about our work,” shared Mr. Huss. “These terms describe something that takes up space or uses up our time. It shows that we view work as something we have to do. But these terms fall short of God’s original design. From the Latin word vocale, we get the term vocation. Vocation expresses that work is a part of who we are called to be. Isn’t that a more biblical way to view our profession?”
In Genesis 2:15, work was introduced to humanity before the fall. From the very beginning, work was designed to be good—a way for humans to reflect our Creator. It still is.
2. Glorify God in Your Work
We are called to work for the glory of God, to do things to the best of our ability, and to pursue excellence (Colossians 3:17, Colossians 3:23). But there is forgiveness when we fail to do so.
Have we ever noticed that God didn’t give the children of Israel the 10 commandments while they were still slaves in Egypt? If He had, it would have been so easy for them to think they had fulfilled the law enough to be saved. Instead, in Exodus 20, God gives them the law and starts out by reminding them “I am the Lord your God, who took you out of Egypt...” This is where we begin to realize the difference between the imperative and the indicative.
Practically, this looks like:
Striving for high-quality work; while
Embracing humility when we fall short; and
Recognizing that failure is part of the journey, not a definition of our value.
3. Remember Who Defines Your Worth
In the business world, fear can be a powerful force. The key is to understand that our value isn't found in our job title, schoolwork, or professional achievements. These are roles we hold, not what determines our value.
Business leaders must first find our value in Christ, not in performance or in circumstances. We are not defined by these things. We are defined by our position in Christ—what He has done and Who He is now.
Practically, this looks like recognizing that we cannot control circumstances, but we can control our responses. Consider the stories of so many successful entrepreneurs who faced numerous failures before tasting even a little success! Their resilience wasn't rooted in never failing, but in never letting a failure define them.
4. Shift from an Ownership to Stewardship Mindset
Many business leaders become attached to the concept of ownership. This can often be the fruit of what John Calvin would call the idol factory that is our heart. There's a transformative perspective in viewing ourselves as stewards rather than owners, no matter how high we get in the C-Suite.Stewardship acknowledges that our resources, opportunities, and even our business are not ultimately ours. They are entrusted to us for a greater purpose. This mindset changes how we make decisions, invest resources, and lead our teams.
“We can approach our roles, jobs, and opportunities with the mindset, “God, this is yours, please give me the wisdom I need to do what you have called me to do,” continued Mr. Huss.
5. Don’t Doubt that God is Always at Work
Here's a powerful principle: God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick. Business success isn't about being perfect, but about being faithful and trusting that God is always at work—despite our imperfections or failures.
The concept of common grace reminds us that God causes the rain to fall upon the wicked and the good. It can be hard to keep doing things the right way when others prosper despite dishonest business dealings. As we persevere, we will one day be able to look back on God’s handiwork and see how He used things for our good. The God of Joseph in the Bible is the same one we’ve got!
And while there are earthly consequences to our decisions, there are not eternal ones for those who are in Christ. We can constantly be comforted by the truths that 1) we are made new in Christ’s finished work; and 2) God is working for our good all the time.
6. Integrating Faith and Work: A Holistic Approach
Faith-work integration isn't about inserting religious language into corporate communications. It's about understanding the Who behind our do.
“When my daughter was 2 years old, we were tailgating for a Clemson game,” said Mr. Huss. “I decided she was old enough to walk with me across the four-lane highway to get to the stadium; it wasn’t dangerous, but it was scary to a young girl. I reached out towards her so she could grab my two fingers and she squeezed with all her might. Once across, she said to me “Daddy, I held on!” To which I replied, “Sweety, who do you think was holding whom?” This was a lesson for her…and reminder for me that the object of our faith is much more important than the amount of it.”
Every business leader or business owner must constantly remember the answer to that question. Who is holding whom? When we keep looking at the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we remember that He enables us to do all He has called us to.
Practically, this looks like leaders asking:
Why does my organization exist (beyond making money)?
Are we truly living our stated values?
Would the surrounding communities miss us if our business relocated?
The Larger Canvas
In a world fixated on performance metrics, believers must dare to be different. Our world needs men and women with the courage to go against the grain and do things God’s way. We are here “for such a time as this.” And it is time. We are called to lead our businesses according to His purposes; to work with integrity and recognize that our greatest legacy won’t be found in balance sheets. Our lives—and our vocations—are His canvas, upon which He has planned to paint something beautiful, if we will only follow His lead.
Sarabeth Stone is a wife, Mother, and freelance writer residing in the Upstate. Her background centers around public affairs and communications work with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit entities, and organizations from a variety of industries. She is passionate about the written word, sharing the truth of God’s love with anyone who will listen, and educating everyday Americans about their vital role in preserving our Constitutional Republic.
Located in the Upstate, The South Carolina Christian Consortium connects South Carolina’s small business community with likeminded leaders. We host monthly luncheons where experts from a variety of industries come to encourage, equip, and educate you as a business leader. Come rub elbows with state and local elected officials, business owners, University leaders, and more at our events.
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