Kingdom At Work
In the business world, major milestones and bold moves often dominate the conversation. But for Kingdom-minded leaders, true impact usually begins with smaller, faithful steps. Lasting influence in the Kingdom is born out of simple, ongoing conversations with God and small acts of obedience that pave the way for greater leaps of faith. These initial actions—a quiet “yes,” a single step, a humble surrender—are the foundation of a legacy that reflects God’s love and grace in our lives and organizations.
A Story of Faith at Work
Consider the journey of Rick Betenbough, founder of Betenbough Homes. On two unique occasions, Rick felt prompted to give away all his company’s resources to help others. In what became a grand gesture of generosity – Rick gave all Betenbough Homes’ resources to Daman Schuber and Dan Mitchell of Schuber Mitchell Homes in Joplin, Missouri, and later to Matt Mabe and Austin Chamberlin of Arise Homes in Kansas City, Missouri, to support their vision of building homes and serving their communities. Yet, this act of giving wasn’t a sudden leap; it was the result of many small, obedient steps that led to it.
For Daman, it started with a simple nudge to reach out to Rick, inviting him to help rebuild homes in Joplin after a devastating tornado. Little did he know that Rick had already received a similar request—signaling that this was more than coincidence. For Austin and Matt, their journey began with attending an after-hours men’s event they felt prompted to join, which ultimately led to their connection with Rick.
These small steps—often overlooked—became the foundation for one of the most impactful corporate gifts Betenbough Homes has ever given. As Austin Chamberlin, Co-Owner of Arise Homes, put it, “There’s always a first small step that we don’t want to forget—it’s not a big, momentous moment. That’s not how it starts. You have to take the first step.”
The Ripple Effect of Generosity
The impact of these decisions resonates far beyond Rick or Betenbough Homes. By embracing an open-handed and obedient approach, Rick set an example that now influences the nearly 400 employees at Betenbough Companies, as well as the teams and customers of Schuber Mitchell Homes and Arise Homes. Through these relationships, his generosity has created a ripple effect that continues to bless communities and inspire Kingdom-minded leadership.
Leading with Open Hands
For any Kingdom-minded leader, the ultimate test of faith is learning to live with an open hand, surrendering everything to God and giving as He leads. “…Freely you have received; freely give,” Matthew 10:8. For Rick, generosity became more than giving—it became a way of leading. This lifestyle of open-handedness and generosity has become the hallmark of Betenbough Companies and is reflected in its giving and outreach and workplace culture everyday.
Challenge: Where is God Asking You to Be Open-Handed?
What small step of obedience is God prompting you to take today? One day, as you look back, you may find that this step was the beginning of something transformative, impacting lives beyond what you could have imagined.
Check out our Kingdom at Work Films for more stories that will inspire you to walk with the Lord in your business journey.