Can a Christian succeed in business without compromising his or her values? In order to climb the corporate ladder, does one have to pull others off the ladder on the way up? Does success in business mean compromising one’s values in order to make a profit?

Many Christians in business have proven that values do not have to be compromised to achieve success. I asked three Midwest business owners how they were able to succeed in business without compromising their values.

“Being a Christian in business requires prayer, diligence, and wise counsel. It is hard work and is much more than putting a fish symbol on your business card. The opportunity to compromise presents itself daily, if not hourly,” said Ron Rothhaas, Jr.

A certified arborist, Rothhaas is now in his fifth year as The Arbor Doctor, a full service tree and shrub care company in Cincinnati, Ohio. His business has grown substantially each year. He is also an active member at Faith Fellowship Church in Cincinnati.

Michael Horn is chairman of the board of Modern Materials, Inc. in Rochester, Indiana, a company that applies Teflon, powder, and liquid finishes to customer parts, primarily automotive and electrical utility. Horn stressed the importance of surrounding one’s self “with good people who love the Lord and listen to them. No matter what it is you do, you will be in for a bumpy ride. Rely on Christ in all things and pray before each meeting or decision-making process. Be prepared to lose business because of your stand. Be prepared to be cheated. Don’t let any of these circumstances change you or the way you live your life. God’s grace is sufficient in every way.”

Horn receives help and encouragement from Scripture and his family. “I pray a lot, listen to my wife, read my Bible every day, and receive encouragement from my four children who I am privileged to work with every day.”

Dave Elberfeld, owner of a Dairy Queen franchise for 27 years, is also an elder at First Christian Church in Washington Court House, Ohio. Though successful in business, his journey has not been void of challenges. He credits his business success in large part to treating his employees and customers with respect.

Rothhaas, Horn, and Elberfeld are three examples of Christians who have succeeded in business without compromising their values. “Looking out for number one” is not a motto anyone will hear from the lips of these men. They are living proof that if a Christian desires to be in business for himself or herself, it can be done while maintaining Christian integrity.

What biblical principles help these business leaders?

Horn cited Romans 3:10-18, which begins with, “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’” Horn says the apostle’s teaching prepared him for what may happen in life and in business. “Now it really causes me to be prepared for anything. I should never be surprised when something goes awry.”

Also emphasizing his reliance on God, Horn looks at his life ‘“one day at a time. I do not have the strength of character to look farther down the road. Each day I thank God that he has given me one more day. All of the other days have problems of their own which I cannot anticipate. By limiting my worry time, I have been free to act more decisively.”

Rothhaas cited a passage that relates to his goals of being a business man and an influence for Christ—the salt and light teachings of Matthew 5:13-16.

In addition to living by such principles, the executives had much to say about how a Christian CEO should treat his employees. Taking time to work on important relationships in life contributed to success in business as well. To help them accomplish these vital ingredients to business success, each had people in his life to help him keep his values in perspective.

In order to avoid compromise, each must “do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). The way a business owner or manager treats his or her employees and customers is not only critical to avoiding compromise, it is also vital to success in business.

Rothhaas noted that if you want to keep good employees, pay them properly; give them a fair wage. This contributes to the long-term success of the business as it minimizes employee turnover.

Elberfeld agrees. He pays employees at his Dairy Queen franchise above minimum wage, unlike many other fast food franchises. In addition, he gives his employees responsibility they may have not received elsewhere. The teenagers who work for him are entrusted with more responsibility, such as acting as shift leaders. Most of the teenagers have never been given that much responsibility, and “their parents are dumbfounded because they can’t get them to make their beds.” Elberfeld says that a business like his gives teenagers an opportunity society usually cannot provide. “Give them more responsibility,” he says, “and they act more responsibly.”

When it comes to dealing with customers, the Dairy Queen owner said he does not try to make money every time he deals with a customer. Instead he tries his best to make each customer happy, thereby creating a long-term customer relationship.

What about relationships outside of business life? Entrepreneurs typically spend a great deal of time building and maintaining a business. Many have found their businesses were not just distractions from important relationships with God and family, but could be detrimental to these relationships.

In order to avoid this, the business professional must purposely set boundaries, establishing balance in order to cultivate important relationships. Elberfeld admitted his struggle with this, noting that it took him several years before he was able to put his relationship with God and family first.

It took Horn quite some time to learn this lesson as well. Today he emphasizes proper conduct in all areas of life, whether business, personal, or family life. “After 36 years of owning my own business I have slowly realized that all of my time must be conducted in the same manner. Every area requires attention to detail and a calm demeanor. My business life is the same as my Christian life and my family life.’”

Rothhaas “decided from the start that I do not work on Sunday. I schedule time with family and am intentional about it.” Even so, he noted, “The business has been hard on family life and we have sought counseling to strengthen our marriage and work on coping strategies.”

Each business owner found that accountability is a key to maintaining one’s values in business. Each has friends to keep him accountable for maintaining integrity in the work place. Elberfeld meets with a fellow elder who is also a business owner.

Horn, who is also an elder at Macy Christian Church in Macy, Indiana, says that all the elders at the church have accountability partners. Horn meets with his friend Skip “two to three times each month so we can seek ways to encourage each other. Normally we do this over lunch.” Skip is a security guard at a juvenile prison in Logansport, Indiana, who, according to Horn, “has really helped provide a new perspective on life.”

Rothhaas has several relationships that help keep him accountable, most notably with his Truth at Work roundtable. His accountant, who is also a trusted advisor, is a part of this group. The roundtable, consisting of Christian business owners, executives, and managers, meets on a regular basis to “to share in a synergistic exercise designed to increase their abilities and skills in building and leading their organizations” from a Christian perspective.

Over the years, these successful CEOs have developed a proper perspective on success. While many executives measure success from a profit and loss standpoint, Elberfeld, Horn, and Rothhaas define business success differently.

While money is certainly one ingredient to business success, it does not fully define success. “Making money is a fringe benefit,” says Horn.

Rothhaas agrees. “A successful business would succeed financially, but more than that, it would honor its obligation to minister through the business to its clients and employees and build people up.”

It’s not all about the bottom line for Elberfeld, either. His business success has allowed him to focus on other important areas in life. Because he was able to build his business to a particular point, he is, among other things, free to give more time and resources to work with the church. “I look at my business as a way to . . . give back to God.”

Moreover, Elberfeld enjoys facing the challenges business brings on a daily basis. Noting that business is a journey, not a destination, new challenges arise constantly. These challenges, however, keep things fresh.

Along this journey, a Christian businessman or woman realizes there will be temptation to compromise. Such people will find success so long as they, as Horn says, “Prepare themselves each day to see the worst, but yet experience the joy that Christ has in store for us.” |L