Investing for Generations to Come
We are four generations in our family. I have two daughters, now in their mid-30s. I also have two granddaughters. Yes, I am a grandpa. And my mum is 91 years old so we are four generations, from a toddler to a grand old lady.
When my kids were around 10 – 12 years old, we used to make up stories. I started ‘Once upon and time” and set the stage. Then we took turns to add to the story, adding people and twists. The plot thickened. We had to listen to each other and build upon what others had added to the story. It was creative and fun.
We are called to add chapters to an unfinished story, God’s story. There is a greater story, a metanarrative, from Creation days to the Restoration of all things, from Genesis to Revelation.
Here we should learn from Mary when the angel Gabriel came to her and invited her to be a part of God’s metanarrative, His story. It would involve highs and lows. But Mary did not object and say: Oh no, it is shameful, counter-cultural, and it doesn’t fit my career plans. No, she humbly submitted and said yes to be a significant part of the Theo-drama, God’s story. Her chapter was added to an unfinished story.
Let me share a few observations and lessons on how we can build from generation to generation as we invest and do business.
First, we need to understand God’s big plan. What does Scripture teach us about human flourishing, economics and business? What is the mission of the Church throughout history, and around the world? To understand, we need to be strongly rooted in our Judeo-Christian tradition.
Secondly, like Mary we need to embrace God’s metanarrative, and respond to his invitation to participate in His plan and story. There will be highs and lows, unexpected and deep pain, as well as miracles and joyful moments. Just like for Mary.
And as the story unfolds, and as we play our part in the marketplace, we are called to connect all generations from generation to generation.
A third lesson is that we should build upon what others have done before us. Come with me to Rome, to the Vatican and St Peter’s church. The construction started 1506, but it took 120 years to build. It meant that it was a succession of architects and construction workers for several generations. But all had to build on what previous architects and workers and generations had done. For 120 years.
40 years into the gigantic building project, the construction came to a halt, it stalled. There was a need to rejuvenate and restart the project. So, the Pope Paul III called in Michelangelo, who was 72 years old. But he couldn’t build whatever he wanted; he had work on what was already standing. But he got new ideas and energy into the project, but he never saw it completed.
Each generation made some changes and added to the completion of the Vatican, but they were building the same church. From generation to generation.
How do we collaborate with others, and build from one generation to the next. How do we bring new life into stalled projects? Do we need to call in more 70-year-olds? And 20-year-olds?
A few months ago, I visited Egypt to meet some Christian leaders. I also got a chance to see the pyramids again. Last time was 40 years ago. I had definitely changed in 40 years, but the pyramids were basically the same – 4000 years later. It took generations to build them, but they were built to last.
How do we build redemptive businesses that will last, from generation to generation?
And here comes my fourth observation. We must stay mission-true, and avoid mission drift.
To that end, we stay rooted in the past, we build in the present, and we connect people for the future.
We are not just Christians doing social enterprise. We mustn’t try to apply Christian ethics without Christ, and there is no Kingdom of God without the King. And Christ is not a local deity or tribal God, no he is Lord overall; thus, we do business with him and for him among all peoples and nations, to the ends of the earth.
That is why the Great Commission is an essential part of our mission. That is why we talk about four bottom-lines. And the Business as Mission and Wealth Creation Manifestos1 can help us stay mission true - from generation to generation.
Let me ask you one more question. Have you ever met a Hittite? Someone from the ancient kingdom which is mentioned in the Bible? Probably not. I’ve asked many people and nobody has. But have you met a Jew? Many of us have, and they are still around. They have had a great and disproportionate influence over many generations, in science, innovation, literature, philosophy, and medicine. Just check the statistics for the Nobel prizes.
Why are the Jews still around and continue to contribute so well to human flourishing? They were scattered all over the globe for centuries, about 1900 years without a homeland, often severely persecuted, and Hitler tried to kill them all.
Well, they are intentional story tellers, from generation to generation. We see that in the Bible all the time. And God’s story and their chapters in God’s metanarrative are retold every Sabbath meal, every Friday night. All generations from generation to generation.
So, our fifth observation is that we need to be story-tellers from generation to generation, of our life and journeys in investing and business. As Psalm 145 verse 4 says, paraphrased: One generation shall talk about God’s mighty works to the next generation.
We need to tell our stories, warts and all, joys and pains, successes and failures. From one generation to another. In case studies, blogs, films, books and why not songs.
What is your chapter in this unfolding God story? How are you connecting with other characters in the Theodrama? How are you building upon what others have done and are doing, be they investors, entrepreneurs, pastors, academics, capacity builders or missionaries?
Let’s be deeply rooted for the future; it is the only way to build something that will last. We need to be intentional, keep telling our stories, and include all generations as we write the next chapters.
Like the architects of the Vatican, we may need to rethink and redesign, but we must keep building on Scripture and lessons learned from previous generations. And then keep retelling our stories from generation to generation. It is beyond succession planning; it is about continuity planning
All generations, from all nations, from generation to generation. To the greater glory of God.
Mats Tunehag
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