John Wesley, Compassionate Entrepreneur: A Wesleyan View of Business and Entrepreneurship
BY DR. JAY MOON, DR. BAN CHO, AND NICK BETTIS. For more details, see: Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies 38(2): 105-123
John Wesley’s holistic ministry was quite comprehensive and far-reaching, influencing most, if not all, areas of society in England. Wesleyan scholars, however, have rarely given attention to his views and attitudes toward business and entrepreneurship.1 This article identifies and constructs a historical and theological Wesleyan perspective of business and entrepreneurship, drawing on how Wesley viewed and used business and entrepreneurship particularly in relation to poverty in England in order to identify helpful implications, both theological and practical, for the church which seeks to engage with the issues of poverty. We argue that Wesley should be viewed as a compassionate entrepreneur - with the compassion of a liberator and the practice of an entrepreneur, as he encouraged believers to actively participate in economic activities and recognized entrepreneurship as a sustainable and significant way to empower thepoor. Wesley’s example challenges the church today as his case serves as a radical and faithful application of biblical economic teachings on business and entrepreneurship.
I. John Wesley’s Theological and Spiritual View of Money and Wealth
Wesley’s view of money and wealth, grounded in God’s ownership, shapes his attitude toward business and entrepreneurship. He sees human beings as stewards of God's properties rather than owners themselves. Wesley emphasizes that money and wealth should be used according to God's will and intention, not simply for personal desires. He believes that wealth can have both positive and negative influences on individuals and society. When wealth is viewed as personal possession alone, it can lead to self-centeredness and economic inequities. However, when wealth is understood as belonging to God, it can be used for good purposes. Wesley's economic principles of "gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can" are applied particularly in his ministry to the poor. He encourages diligence and frugality for the poor, with the ultimate goal of increased capacity for giving. Wesley emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and using wealth to meet their needs, as it is a responsibility of the entire community. He sees the proper use of money as an essential part of Christian discipleship and an expression of love for God and neighbor. Wesley believes that money is a tool that can be used for the work of God in the world.
II. The Poor and John Wesley’s Use of Business and Entrepreneurship
John Wesley had a positive view of business and entrepreneurship, recognizing their role in alleviating poverty. He encouraged believers to actively engage in economic activities and valued hard work as a means of dignifying individuals. Wesley used business methods to support the poor, such as organizing employment schemes and lending stocks to help them start their own businesses.
However, Wesley also approached business and entrepreneurship cautiously. He believed that work should align with God's will and not harm oneself or others. He set boundaries to protect physical, social, and spiritual well-being. Wesley cautioned against work that was sinful, illegal, or tempting. He emphasized the importance of considering the effects of one's work on others and rejected harmful business practices.
Wesley linked poverty to poorly run businesses and economic mismanagement. He criticized luxury businesses that favored the rich at the expense of the common people and identified unemployment and underemployment as causes of poverty. Wesley specifically opposed the distilling business for diverting resources away from feeding the population.
Overall, Wesley's approach to business and entrepreneurship involved utilizing them as tools to uplift the poor while being mindful of their potential pitfalls and advocating for ethical practices.
III. John Wesley as a Compassionate Entrepreneur:
John Wesley's views on economics and the poor have been debated, with some seeing him as a capitalist and others associating him with socialism. However, neither label fully captures his overall position.
Wesley as Liberator: Wesley recognized the negative influence of wealth on one's Christian faith and emphasized the responsibility to care for the poor. He aimed to liberate the poor from socio-economic afflictions, not just through charity but by empowering them with sustainable economic means. His focus was on voluntary repentance and stewardship, rather than forceful structural change.
Wesley as Entrepreneur: While advocating for the value of free market economics and private property, Wesley also emphasized sharing resources with the needy. He supported business and entrepreneurship as a way to address unemployment and underemployment, providing opportunities for the poor to work and earn a living. Wesley's view integrates both compassion and the functional value of business.
Wesley's Solidarity with the Poor: Wesley maintained a personal relationship with the poor through regular visitation. By witnessing their sufferings firsthand, he developed a deep understanding and found spiritual purity among them. His commitment to the poor extended beyond visitation and influenced his lifestyle, emphasizing frugality and economic stewardship.
In summary, Wesley can be viewed as a compassionate entrepreneur who sought to liberate the poor, supported the value of business, and maintained a personal relationship with those in need. His approach combined elements of liberationist and capitalist perspectives but went beyond both in its comprehensive understanding of poverty and commitment to social change.
IV. Practical Implications for the Church
Guiding Principle: Wesley's Threefold Economic Rule
The church can adopt Wesley's threefold economic principle of "earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can" as a guiding principle for addressing poverty in the local community. This principle involves a cyclical process with five practical steps:
Step 1: Church members diligently work to earn.
Step 2: Church members who earn save their resources.
Step 3: Church members voluntarily give together, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to support the poor and provide them with opportunities to work and earn.
Step 4: With the church's support, the poor's lives become financially sustainable as they gain employment and earning capabilities.
Step 5: The previously poor individuals who are now able to work and earn join Step 1, continuing the cycle.
This self-sustaining process not only lifts people out of poverty but also empowers them to become agents of change who contribute to alleviating poverty themselves. It fosters a community with a safety net, where those who have overcome poverty can help others in need.
Intimate Relationship with the Poor
The church should maintain a real and intimate relationship with the poor, following Wesley's example. Wesley recognized that a close connection with the poor shaped his heart and enabled him to understand their struggles. To be a compassionate community, the church must develop and maintain this intimate relationship with the needy. Without it, the church may excel in earning and saving but fail to practice generosity and love towards the poor.
Holistic Missional Practice of Business and Entrepreneurship
Wesley's view of business and entrepreneurship rejects the separation of spirituality and economics. He believed they were interconnected, forming a holistic approach to Christian life and ministry. Business and entrepreneurship should be grounded in theological principles, recognizing humans as stewards of God's resources. Wesley emphasized that economic activities have a profound impact on one's spiritual life and ministry. This perspective highlights two important implications:
First, Wesley's economic advice should not neglect the spiritual formation of individuals. It should serve as a means of grace, fostering both hard work and charity while nurturing spiritual growth.
Second, economic activities among the poor should not solely focus on their physical well-being but also aim for holistic transformation, addressing their spiritual needs alongside their material needs. This approach aligns with Wesley's missional strategy of caring for both body and soul.
By integrating these practical insights into their approach, the church can effectively serve as a missional agent to alleviate poverty in their local community, embracing Wesley's teachings and principles.
Conclusion: Wesley's Challenge to Christian Business People Today
Wesley's attitude toward business and entrepreneurship holds valuable lessons for followers of Jesus today. While there may be a gap between the 18th century and the present, Wesley's view and approach still offer insights applicable to contemporary Christians in business. His ministry to the poor serves as an inspiration for the church's missional engagement with poverty.
The relevance of Wesley's view of business lies in its foundation on biblical principles. Wesley's economic principles were deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. He saw the gospel as relevant to understanding and participating in the economic reality of his time. Wesley's perspective can be seen as an evangelical application of biblical economic principles to business.
As a compassionate follower of Jesus with a preferential option for the poor, Wesley recognized the value of business and entrepreneurship as means to care for the needy. He embraced a grassroots approach and understood the potential of business to alleviate poverty. Wesley affirmed the free market system while cautioning against its tendency to prioritize profit over loving neighbors, especially the needy.
Wesley's warnings about the excesses of capitalism resonate with today's concerns, leading to the concept of the triple bottom line. Christians should actively engage in economics while prioritizing the needs of those in poverty. Entrepreneurship can be seen as a missional tool to address the issue of poverty. Building and maintaining personal relationships with the poor is crucial, allowing Christians to listen to their cries and respond genuinely and effectively through both words and actions.
Wesley challenges Christians today to combine the compassion of a liberator with the responsible practices of capitalism, striving for a balanced and just approach to business and entrepreneurship.
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