Episode 308 - Harness the Power of the BIG 3—Build, Invest, Give | An SWGP Special
Aug 27, 2024
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Bill Wichterman, a prominent advocate for wealthy Christians, shares insights on using power wisely within faith communities. He emphasizes that close to half the world lacks exposure to the Gospel and highlights the staggering issues of poverty and exploitation affecting millions. The conversation encourages Christians to ‘Build, Invest, and Give’ to solve global challenges. Wichterman champions the interconnected roles of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and faith-driven investments, showcasing inspiring examples of community transformation, like a grocery store in Nigeria.
Wealth should be viewed as a stewardship opportunity for Christians to discern and utilize resources for kingdom impact.
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to integrate building, investing, and giving to effectively tackle pressing global challenges while fostering social change.
Deep dives
Faith and Wealth Stewardship
Wealth can present a unique set of challenges and temptations, particularly for Christians who strive to honor God with their resources. The journey of a couple, Bill and Dana, highlights the importance of faithful stewardship after unexpectedly receiving a significant inheritance. They emphasize the necessity of daily reminders that their wealth is not their own, but rather belongs to God, which requires ongoing discernment about how to use this increased capital for kingdom-building. This exploration points to a universal struggle among wealthy Christians concerning how to responsibly manage their finances while remaining aligned with their faith.
Building for God's Kingdom
The podcast advocates for Christians to understand the influential role they can play in solving the world's greatest problems through their entrepreneurial ventures. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to leverage their businesses not simply for profit, but as vehicles for social impact by addressing fundamental issues such as poverty, violence, and economic exploitation. The discussion underscores the importance of integrating building, giving, and investing into a cohesive strategy for meaningful change, rather than treating these pursuits as separate or isolated endeavors. Business leaders are positioned as key players capable of leading transformative initiatives that address both immediate needs and long-term solutions.
The Power of Impact Investing
Investing is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for Christian entrepreneurs and investors to effect positive change in the world. Rather than sidelining financial stewardship, there’s a call for Christians to explore how their investments can lead to both monetary gains and societal benefits. A pivotal moment for Bill and Dana came when they realized that the vast majority of capital available could be harnessed to create real transformations, beyond the confines of traditional charitable giving. The podcast spotlights stories of successful faith-driven investors who focused their capital on sustainable businesses that uplifts communities, demonstrating the potential for capital to serve as a force for good.
Generosity as a Transformative Act
Generosity is portrayed as essential in the journey of faith-driven stewardship, providing a means to combat materialism and cultivate a heart aligned with God's will. The podcast shares how giving can lead to radical changes in perspective and behavior, transforming the giver's relationship with money. Bill and Dana’s experience underscores the importance of surrounding themselves with a community that encourages accountability in their giving practices. Ultimately, the idea is presented that giving, along with building and investing, works symbiotically to enable Christians to address societal issues effectively and to find greater joy in the process.
“We have power and we have to discern how we use that power with like-minded Christians.”—Bill Wichterman
Close to half of the people in the world have had little or no exposure to the Gospel. 9.2% of the world's population lives in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $2.15 per day.
More than 150 million children work in dangerous or exploitative conditions, and 40 million people are enslaved, which is more than at any other time in history. 800 million people suffer from hunger. And 1 in 10 people on the planet lack access to clean water. These are just some of the problems plaguing our world today.
What can we as faithful followers of Christ do?
Let’s be clear—without God, we could do nothing. But he continues to reveal a way forward for us. And his Church is winning. Join us for our premiere episode as we introduce you to a growing movement of Christians building, investing, and giving to solve the world’s greatest problems.
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