Humble Beginnings and Spiritual Struggle
David Green, born in 1941 in Altus, Oklahoma, grew up in a pastor's home surrounded by siblings who all pursued pastoral roles. Despite this spiritual environment, David felt like a "second class Christian" as he was drawn to business rather than full-time ministry. In 1970, with a modest $600 loan, David began assembling and selling miniature picture frames from his garage. This humble start led to the creation of Hobby Lobby, which now employs nearly 50,000 people.
God's Calling in Business Revealed
Initially, David struggled with his calling, questioning why he wasn't in full-time ministry like his family. However, by 1985, he embraced his role as a "God-called merchant," realizing that God could work through him in business as powerfully as through his family's ministry. He acknowledged, "What you have and what I have according to God's word not according to me belongs to God; we are only stewards."
Faith-Driven Business Principles
David's faith influenced key decisions in Hobby Lobby's operations. The company closes on Sundays, a choice inspired by the belief that there are "things more important than profits," allowing employees time for worship and family. Moreover, David took a strong stance against the Affordable Care Act mandate, leading to a legal battle that he won, reinforcing his principle that "God never asks us to do something wrong to do something right."
Business Success Through Faith
Generosity underpins the company's ethos, with half of its pretax earnings donated to evangelical causes, amounting to approximately $500 million by 2012. David expressed, "From the very beginning, our purpose was to honor God in all that we did," crediting their success to divine blessing.
Today, Hobby Lobby has grown significantly, with nearly $8 billion in annual revenue. Beyond business, the Green family has contributed to projects like the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. David's enduring vision is to utilize resources to spread the message of Jesus, stating, "We don't have this set up so we can sell it and sit on the beach. It's His, and we just want to be good stewards as long as we can."