Luke 16 is made up of a variety of individuals that come to this project from different directions. We are not all businesspeople. Most are, but some are Christians who agree that the path out of poverty is created by offering people an opportunity to “work their way out”.
Nathan McKie, the founder, is a serial entrepreneur. Not all of these ventures were successful. The journey to this point has been strengthened by unsuccessful experiences, for we learn more from our “failures” than our successes (if we are paying attention).
Nathan is a veteran of teaching as well. This included Sunday School classes (Grade 4 through adult) and 30+ week courses on the Bible and Christian Doctrine. He has taught college courses in the classroom and on-line in Marketing, Business Ethics, and Small Business Management.
Probably, most important is that he has been on many short-term mission trips and has been involved in Habitat for Humanity projects. These experiences taught him that these well-intentioned efforts do essentially nothing for helping people get out of poverty. His thinking was bolstered by reading several very important books on how the only real solution for helping people get out of poverty is by creating jobs that allow them to work their way out. Additionally, it has become clear that this is the only way that restores dignity to the individual and gives them value by their contribution to society.
Nathan has recently published a book that provides a map, of sorts, to lead people on a journey to success in mission activity. The title is The Dignity of Profit: Creating Community through Entrepreneurship published by Xulon Press. Check it out on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Cokesbury, or Xulon’s website. Profits go to help support the ministry of Luke 16. Email us at luke16corp@outlook.com.
Our Philosophy
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ tells the story of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-9). It has been a difficult passage for many because it seems to praise dishonesty. Mammon (or money) is considered by many to be “unrighteous”. In fact, money is amoral as are the inanimate objects of our world. It is only unrighteous in how it is acquired or used. Jesus is telling to use this item in righteous ways to “gain friends for yourselves” (NIV) for eternity.
In this same chapter, Jesus goes on to warn against using money in ways that will prove to be trustworthy. As He puts it, “if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Trusting someone with money doesn’t mean that it is put under a mattress or as the Parable of the Talents tells, burying it.
Having the ability to use one’s business skills should be considered a gift from God, and, like money, it should not be used only for the recipients benefit. They should be used for the benefit of the community and beyond.
Unlike the majority of mission trip efforts, it is our desire that we can create teams of business people to be deployed to areas where there is a need to turn around generations of poverty. Much of our society, and rural America in particular, needs to break that cycle of poverty by training and supporting those who can become successful entrepreneurs. In addition, it is anticipated and expected that jobs will be created that will help others who won’t become entrepreneurs.
About Us
About Us
Luke 16 is made up of a variety of individuals that come to this project from different directions. We are not all businesspeople. Most are, but some are Christians who agree that the path out of poverty is created by offering people an opportunity to “work their way out”.
Nathan McKie, the founder, is a serial entrepreneur. Not all of these ventures were successful. The journey to this point has been strengthened by unsuccessful experiences, for we learn more from our “failures” than our successes (if we are paying attention).
Nathan is a veteran of teaching as well. This included Sunday School classes (Grade 4 through adult) and 30+ week courses on the Bible and Christian Doctrine. He has taught college courses in the classroom and on-line in Marketing, Business Ethics, and Small Business Management.
Probably, most important is that he has been on many short-term mission trips and has been involved in Habitat for Humanity projects. These experiences taught him that these well-intentioned efforts do essentially nothing for helping people get out of poverty. His thinking was bolstered by reading several very important books on how the only real solution for helping people get out of poverty is by creating jobs that allow them to work their way out. Additionally, it has become clear that this is the only way that restores dignity to the individual and gives them value by their contribution to society.
Nathan has recently published a book that provides a map, of sorts, to lead people on a journey to success in mission activity. The title is The Dignity of Profit: Creating Community through Entrepreneurship published by Xulon Press. Check it out on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Cokesbury, or Xulon’s website. Profits go to help support the ministry of Luke 16. Email us at luke16corp@outlook.com.
Our Philosophy
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ tells the story of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-9). It has been a difficult passage for many because it seems to praise dishonesty. Mammon (or money) is considered by many to be “unrighteous”. In fact, money is amoral as are the inanimate objects of our world. It is only unrighteous in how it is acquired or used. Jesus is telling to use this item in righteous ways to “gain friends for yourselves” (NIV) for eternity.
In this same chapter, Jesus goes on to warn against using money in ways that will prove to be trustworthy. As He puts it, “if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Trusting someone with money doesn’t mean that it is put under a mattress or as the Parable of the Talents tells, burying it.
Having the ability to use one’s business skills should be considered a gift from God, and, like money, it should not be used only for the recipients benefit. They should be used for the benefit of the community and beyond.
Unlike the majority of mission trip efforts, it is our desire that we can create teams of business people to be deployed to areas where there is a need to turn around generations of poverty. Much of our society, and rural America in particular, needs to break that cycle of poverty by training and supporting those who can become successful entrepreneurs. In addition, it is anticipated and expected that jobs will be created that will help others who won’t become entrepreneurs.