Choosing to Radically Live Faith within Business
Full disclosure, I like shopping at Hobby Lobby. Perusing the aisles for nonessential holiday decorations or mini kitchen gadgets is relaxing. Don’t judge. I don’t need to purchase anything, but getting lost in doing nothing for a few minutes while Christian music plays throughout the building is surprisingly peaceful, especially for a big retail store that always seem busy.
Leadership NOT By The Book was written by David Green, CEO and founder of Hobby Lobby with his longtime colleague Bill High. In a typical bookstore or library, this book would be found in the Morals and Ethics of Leadership section. When I first saw the book I was intrigued because I have personally seen two times where Hobby Lobby made decisions regarding their business practices that went against mainstream opinions of the time. I remember news channels reporting that people were urged to boycott the stores. The company took heat in the court of public opinion from those actions. I wanted to read about these from the founder’s perspective and see how he navigated the rough waters, yet I thought it would be a fluff book. Thankfully, there is more to it. In this blog I will discuss some of the business practices that Hobby Lobby has been using for most of its fifty plus years in business. I will also share my take on this company, the media, and the eternal drive that motivates everyone associated with the company.
Green asked himself and his leadership team: If God owns the business, what would that mean? First he went to scripture, The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”, Psalm 24:1NIV. That led him to realize that since the people running the businesses were stewards of the business and the profits, they needed to run on Biblical principles, starting with tithing the revenues from their business sales[1]. Yet 10% tithe wasn’t enough. Today, Hobby Lobby donates 50% of their profits to various ministries that spread the Gospel. They reached that amount by opening more stores, increasing revenue, and paying off long-term debt. These are smart moves for any business. They saw that amount also inspired employees who liked sharing donations with others[2].
Green knew the business needed to run well. To that end, he said his business must:
- Be God Centered
- Be People Centered
- Practice commonsense business[3]
Following these, Hobby Lobby encourages employees to put family over business[4]. Green sees the employees that come to Hobby Lobby as being placed there by God. He works to be just and fair with them, pray with them, and shares the message of salvation through Jesus. When this book was written, Hobby Lobby paid beginning front line employees far above the minimum wage of most states.
Commonsense practices are typical things that keep a company structured, knowledgeable of market trends, solid financially, and operating within the required State laws[5]. Green says, stick to what you are good at doing, develop systems for employees to have structure to their work, put the customer first, and above all, honor God[6].
Yet, Christian values and beliefs set Hobby Lobby apart from segments of the American population. When Hobby Lobby decided not to open any of their stores on Sunday, they believed it was the right decision. But Sunday had been one of its most popular days. Hobby Lobby did this to obey the commandment to keep holy the sabbath as a day set apart[7]. Customers were not happy, but sales grew.
When the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2012, Hobby Lobby petitioned for an exemption from the requirement to provide a health care insurance option that included contraception and the morning after pill as a part of health insurance. In a case before the Supreme Court Hobby Lobby won. The backlash was quick from many directions. Papers were written calling it the Christian Right and predicting it would end up only helping attorneys who would be fighting the battles[8]. People were calling for customers to boycott the store. Surprisingly, Green’s book did not dwell on the controversial decisions of Hobby Lobby. They were mentioned in less than a paragraph in relation to the family’s commitment to honor God and families in them. Regardless of whether someone disagrees or not with them, it is inspiring that they prayerfully made decisions then stood by them.
As I read this book, I wondered how practices of Hobby Lobby might connect to my NPO that deals with women advancing into leadership positions. While there is minimal mention that his wife was part of the founding of Hobby Lobby with him, most of his mention of family, and his wife specifically, was limited to their time together on the Sabbath. Personally, I relate more to the acceptance of women in leadership as affirmed by Pastor Brett Fuller in High Ceilings to understand the gifts of women in leadership[9].
If I had unlimited resources I would love to spend more time on the radical expression of Christian faith exercised by all in leadership at Hobby Lobby. Short of that, I conclude by saying I understand some people may believe that a private employer needs to provide all aspects of healthcare to their employees and that Hobby Lobby’s wages might keep some employees working there for the money. Whether I agree or not with Hobby Lobby’s decisions is immaterial. I have a lot of respect for the leadership of Hobby Lobby for working toward living out their beliefs in their personal and professional lives. David Green believes he is helping others prepare for a better eternity and I agree.
[1] David Green with Bill High, Leadership NOT By The Book (Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Books, 2022),P 22
And, David Green, “The Green Family: Living and Giving Generously” jesuscalling.com/podcast/living-giving-generously/, Dec. 21, 2017, accessed 10/29/2024.
[2] David Green, 51.
[3] David Green, 16.
[4] David Green, 109.
[5] David Green, 149ff.
[6] David Green, 151,154.
[7] David Green, 63.
[8] Sarah Green Carmichael, The Hobby Lobby Decision: How Business Got Here, (July 3, 2014), hbr.org/2014/07/the-hobby-lobby-decision-how-business-got-here, accessed 10.30.2024.
[9] Brett Fuller, High Ceilings, Women in Leadership (Orlando FL, Brett Fuller, 2021) 22.
About the Author
Diane Tuttle
11 responses to “Choosing to Radically Live Faith within Business”
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Hi Diane, that sounds like a great book! As a part of the Every Tribe Every Nation Bible translation alliance, my ministry is a recipient of the Green family’s generosity. Not only do they financially support Bible translation, but Mart Green also provides incredible strategic leadership that has accelerated the pace of Bible translation.
After reading the book, is there anything you plan on adopting into your own leadership practices?
Hi Christy, I don’t know that there is anything new but I like letting go of thinking that tithing is enough. We need to keep giving as God prompts us, trusting that we will have what we need when we are obedient to His voice.
Hi Diane,
I like browsing through Hobby Lobby aisles too 🙂
What role does faith play in David Green’s approach to leadership, according to his book?
Hi Shela, For David Green, the 1st of the 3 practices is most important (Being God Centered) but also keeping a Sabbath with his wife.
Thanks for telling me about this Diane. We don’t have any of their stores in New England, that I know of, so I’ve never been inside one. Which aspects of leadership from the book do you think you would like to apply for your context?
Hi Debbie, the functional pieces of business are part of things we do already. I think for me it is to continue to listen for God’s nudges each day that direct and guide me. thanks for asking.
Hi Diane, Thanks for sharing, I appreciated learning more about how faith has shaped leadership decisions at Hobby Lobby. What did you learn about the leadership culture within the organization and how that might play out to the shoppers experience?
Hi Julie, Thanks for the question. On the leadership culture the first thing that stood out was their dependence on prayer and recognizing they were stewards of Hobby Lobby and the profits which made it easy to give away. That mindset carried through to the other employees. I think shoppers benefit from not being bombarded with, how might I say, things that degrade others. The products are wholesome, the music Christian and the people in the store are very pleasant.
Hi Diane, I received a copy of this book in June but have not yet read it. I’m glad to hear your insights. I have so much respect for the Green family. I may not agree with all of their positions on public affairs, but there is no doubt everything they do is out of obedience to Jesus. Doug and I once attended a dinner at David and Barbara’s home. I was surprised to see David wearing a Hawaiian shirt, standing in the driveway directing traffic where best to park. He’s such a humble and generous guy, and so is Barbara. Both are very approachable and warm. She has even joined me on a tour of our county jail.
I also know it is not uncommon for David to be found on his knees underneath his 90s-style dated desk, praying to Jesus. He walks the talk. I want to read his book even more after your review. Thanks for the insight!
Hi Diane, I will absolutely not judge you regarding your love of walking the aisles of Hobby Lobby! I would love to be walking those aisles with you! I found it encouraging that Green did not spend much time discussing past criticism but dedicated more page space to his commitment to honoring God and Hobby Lobby employees. I believe that says a lot. While reading the book, what ideas presented affirmed your current leadership at Angelwood and your desire to honor God and the people you serve?
Hi Elysse, Anytime you want to come to FL I am all in! One your question – while I pray for Angelwood, reading this book reminded me to be more intentional how I pray. I need to be specific with God. I know He knows our need but giving them to Him clearly also reminds me that He has the ability to solve whatever problem comes up, whether it is by inspiring me with some strategy or another person on our team. As I pray this way, I stay grounded. Thanks for asking.