Faith in the Workplace: How Integrating Biblical Principles Transformed a Business and Impacted Generosity
Many business owners view their companies as separate from their personal faith, but for Tim McTavish, a transformative encounter led him to merge the two. On the Generosity Now podcast, Tim shared how his faith grew alongside his professional life and how biblical principles radically changed his business and its culture.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
In the early years of running his insurance marketing business, Tim found himself compartmentalizing his faith. Although he was deeply committed to Christ, he kept his spiritual life private, never truly integrating it into his work environment. That changed one evening when an employee—who hardly looked the part of a typical “Christian” with his punk rock attire and tattoos—asked Tim a simple, yet profound question: “Do you know Jesus?”
That question sparked an internal reflection for Tim. How could one of his employees not know he was a Christian? The conversation made him realize how much he had separated his faith from his role as a business leader. Around that same time, a friend introduced him to the book Business by the Book by Larry Burkett, which opened his eyes to how a workplace could serve as a ministry. From that point forward, Tim became intentional about integrating biblical values into his business.
From High Turnover to High Impact
Tim’s insurance business had a serious turnover problem. The company’s employee retention rate was shockingly low, with turnover exceeding 300%. The average length of employment was only four months, a statistic that made it nearly impossible to build a successful, thriving company.
However, once Tim began incorporating biblical values and focusing on his employees rather than just the bottom line, things started to change. One of the most impactful initiatives was the launch of a generosity program, where 10% of the company’s profits were allocated to charitable giving. Employees were encouraged to participate through a 3-to-1 matching program, which allowed their personal donations to be multiplied by the company. This initiative fostered a spirit of giving that transcended the workplace. Employees, many of whom were not Christians, began sponsoring children through Compassion International and going on mission trips to Mexico and Africa.
This generosity-driven culture created a sense of unity and purpose within the company. The turnover problem faded away, and the business went from struggling with employee retention to being ranked among the top 25 great places to work in America. What had once been a company plagued by high turnover became a joyful, thriving work environment where employees were excited to be part of something bigger.
Investing in People, Not Just Profits
After selling his business in 2008, Tim’s focus shifted to impact investing. His approach was clear: he wasn’t just interested in financial returns—he was looking for opportunities to invest in projects that made a kingdom impact.
Tim shared how he has been involved in several meaningful ventures, including films like Sound of Freedom, which focuses on human trafficking, and Unplanned, a pro-life movie based on the true story of Abby Johnson. While Unplanned didn’t generate a strong financial return, the spiritual returns were enormous, with tens of thousands of lives saved as a result of the film’s message.
For Tim, the combination of financial returns and kingdom impact has been a driving force in his investment decisions. It’s not always about the money—sometimes, it’s about changing lives.
A Generous Life is a Fulfilled Life
Tim’s story serves as an inspiring example of how faith can transform not just individuals, but entire organizations. What began as a wake-up call about his own compartmentalized faith became a journey of whole-life stewardship, where generosity and biblical values were woven into the fabric of his business and personal life.
For business owners and leaders who may be wondering how to integrate their faith into their work, Tim’s journey offers a simple starting point: focus on your people and implement generosity. The ripple effects can be far-reaching, transforming not only your company but also the lives of those around you.
Final Thoughts
Tim’s story reminds us that our businesses, much like our lives, are not truly ours—they belong to God. By acknowledging this truth and operating from a place of faith and generosity, business owners can create cultures that are impactful, joyful, and aligned with a higher purpose. Whether it’s through a generosity program, mission trips, or kingdom-focused investments, living out faith in the workplace can lead to extraordinary results.
If you’re wondering how to take that first step, Tim encourages you to start small. Invite God into your business, and watch how He shows up. The rewards—both spiritual and practical—might surprise you.
