3 habits of radically generous business owners

by Eric Most

Before coming to NCF, I owned an insurance business in Florida. That experience showed me firsthand the weight and privilege of leadership. Business owners don’t just steward their personal wealth and gifts­, they also carry the responsibility of stewarding their companies for the sake of their employees, their families, and their communities. It’s a calling with added weight, one that reminds me of the parable of the talentsopens in a new tab: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.” Scripture makes it clear that those entrusted with much will bear great responsibility.

So how do generous business owners handle this responsibility? Here are three habits I’ve seen radically generous leaders put into practice:

1. They use their influence and grow their circles.

Whole L.I.F.E. stewardship means offering our labor, influence, finances, and expertise to glorify God. Business owners are uniquely positioned to lead in this way, with influence that naturally extends beyond their immediate circles.

By joining groups like our Generosity Champions, Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, or other Christian CEO peer advisory organizations, leaders not only gain wisdom but also model generosity in community. When servant leaders live generously, others notice and follow.

2. They invest in their people.

Generous leaders look for ways to help their employees flourishopens in a new tab. Many cultivate a culture of generosity through initiatives like creating an employee benevolence fund. This offers opportunities for leadership and their employees to support one another in times of need, and can have an exponential impact through employer gift matching.

Our team can help you manage a program like this through our friends at Helping Hands Charitable.opens in a new tab

3. They give business interests before a sale.

For most owners, the majority of wealth is tied up in non-liquid assets, yet giving usually comes from cash. Business-interest giving unlocks far greater potentialopens in a new tab. By gifting a portion of their business, owners can often increase their charitable giving, potentially lower their tax burden, and free up more cash flow for ministry work. This strategy turns their business into an engine for lasting generosity, both now and in the future.

Generous business leaders recognize that their companies are more than financial assets, they are tools entrusted to them for kingdom impact. By stewarding these resources faithfully, they live in anticipation of hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

More resources:

• “Building a generous business” guideopens in a new tab
• 7 ways business leaders can invest in their peopleopens in a new tab
• What every generous business owners should knowopens in a new tab
• Contact our team to learn more about stewarding your businessopens in a new tab