In 2001, David Tinney began teaching Christian business principles and small business sales and marketing tactics in Ukraine. His experience includes more than 40 years of wholesale and retail sales. He has been a business owner since 1991 and presently owns three small companies.
Mr Tinney's unique style of teaching is often humorous as he draws upon his personal experience for practical illustrations. He has authored three books in Russian language: 'Don't be Afraid To Start Your Business', 'Role of The Businessman in God's Kingdom' and 'How To Grab Opportunity By The Tail'. These books are available through bookstores and published by 'Brightstar Publishing' in Kiev.
Through Mr Tinney's teaching, many Ukrainians have been inspired to start a business.
David Tinney's passion is equip and release Christian business people to be more successful in the economic realm. He believes the purpose for success and wealth is to establish and extend God's Kingdom on earth. (Please read Dueteromony 8:18).
Since 2001, Mr Tinney has conducted more than 200 business conferences and seminars in Ukraine and Poland. Mr Tinney has taught in more than 30 cities in Ukraine, as well as Warsaw and G'dansk Poland.
David Tinney and his wife Jude have been actively involved in Ukraine since 1995. Their charity fund, 'Family Aid International' operates 10 volunteer offices in Ukraine, providing aid to orphans, under privileged children, abandoned babies and social services.
What is a biblical point of view on taking a loan (credit) to start/develop business? (Ivan, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine)
The Bible doesn't specifically forbid taking loans. However, before a person takes a loan for a business, they should be have a solid business plan to prove they can repay the loan.
What local church are you a member of? What ministry do you do in your American local church? (Anna Ivanova, Kiev, Ukraine)
I am a member of a local non-denominational church. My wife and I pioneered a small hurch in 1998, being sent out from this church. I have served also in this church as a Bible School teacher and coordinated international mission trips. At this time, I am not serving in any position as we are fully engaged in our ministry in Ukraine and Poland.
Why would Christians get into doing business? (Anonymous, Russia)
If you don't work, you shouldn't eat. The scriptures are very clear that work is a good thing and laziness is frowned upon. Many of the patriarchs of the faith were very prosperous business people. Peter ran a successful fishing enterprise. Joseph was a successful CEO in Egypt. If you work for someone else, you are their servant. I have worked for others, now I work for myself. I prefer the latter, it enables me to take charge of my destiny.
Do you bring 10% of all your income to the church? (Alexey, Novosibirsk, Russia)
Lets keep these questions focused on business and work and not controversial issues. The latest reports is that between 4-7% of American Christians tithe. From my 15 year ministry experience in Ukraine, I doubt that even that many in Ukraine tithe. Do you bring all your 10% income to the church?
Shalom! How about Christ's words: "you cannot serve two masters, both to God and money" (Alexandr, Donetsk, Ukraine)
We do not serve money, it serves us and the purpose we are committed to, which is expanding God's kingdom. Your question leads me to believe you think we should have nothing to do with money. If that is the case, give all your money away and see how far you get. Let me ask you a question. How do you pay for the food you eat? If you are a Christian and attend a church, how do you pay the rent on the building? To heat it in the winter time? The obvious answer is with money. Money is nothing, it's simply an instrument of exchange. Its not to be worshipped nor what it can do. Many Christians have a wrong attitude about money. Your attitude that we should have nothing to with it is just as much in error as one who worships money.
Hello David! What do you think about tithing? I gave 10% of my income yesterday and today have no money to pay bills, pay for transportation. I don't have anyone to borrow from. What do I do and how can I live, if I believe God, but even my faith cannot help me?
I'm not here to argue about tithing. My wife and I give more than 10% as the Holy Spirit directs us. Our desire is to be generous and not live extravagantly, rather to live in moderation. If I were your pastor, I would have a good look at how you budget your income. I believe a tithing Christian who cannot pay his bills is a very poor testimony of the power and grace of God. Somewhere something is wrong. I believe God is more pleased that we have a good testimony in our communities by paying our bills on time rather than religiously tithing and be in the situation you have found yourself in.
Are you interested in real business projects with Ukrainian businessmen? (Taras, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine)
We are always interested in projects. In the past, I have invested in some enterprises. Some of them worked out and were profitable, one of them was a total failure. At this time, I have no investments in business in Ukraine. The last 3 years or so, I've been investing in individuals by sharing my experience and wisdom that’s accumulated from more than 40 years in the business realm.
Greetings! What do you consider core values, traits, and skills for a businessman? What was your first business? Do you think businessman is a calling? (Alexey, Minsk, Belarus)
Yes, I believe many are called into business by God and are anointed to do it. My first business, which I still own, is a travel agency. Honesty, integrity and willingness to work hard are essential traits. The main value I see is a desire to serve people. Skills are acquired for the most part. Other skills can be fullfilled by hiring someone who is good in that area. For instance, I'm not particularly gifted with accounting skills, so I hire an accountant for my businesses rather than taking the time and energy to learn it myself.
David, thank you for your ministry! Our church has grown much through it, your seminars have changed the lives of many people. Thank you so much!!! Looking forward to seeing you again in Kiev! (Andrey, Kiev, Ukraine)
Thank you Andrey for the testimony. The people in your church have an open heart to receive and its been a great pleasure for me to minister to them. I look forward to seeing you again soon, too.
Good day! What is your understanding of Jesus' words: "you cannot serve God and money"? I want to be able to serve God, while doing business. (Vladislav, Russia)
I serve God with the money I earn. I agree with Jesus, you cannot serve two masters. I'm amazed at how religious some people are, they are very much like the Pharisees in Jesus' day. Vlad, it is very easy to serve God through your business, I've been doing it for many, many years. I believe our churches are full of people who would like to serve God just as you do. But it is religious thinking that prevents people from doing so. Religious thinking keeps people enslaved to poverty. The small companies that I own support our work in Ukraine. No church pays me to do this and I do not send out letters asking for donations. I believe this is a good model for ministry, our work supports it and we are not a burden to the ones we minister to.
Peace! How can I motivate myself, make myself believe, desire, and reach goals? (Evgeniy, Kiev, Ukraine)
I would suggest you read John Garfield's book, 'Desire to Destiny'. You can get a free ebook copy at our website,
Was Sunday Adeladja incident a warning sign to all the pastors about the false nature of the prosperity teaching? (Ruslan Magunik, Novy Rozdol, Ukraine)
Prosperity is not a false teaching, there are many scriptures that openly declare God's desire for us to prosper. However, the greed of human nature often corrupts the good intentions. I'm not saying that is what happened to Pastor Sunday though. I don't know all the facts surrounding his case so I will refrain from saying anymore.
Hello David! 1) how do I start my own business? 2) would you advise reading books on business, success, happiness, prosperity, etc by world authors? 3) will it help to attend trainings offered by non-Christians?
Yes, briefly speaking, I would advise you to read a variety of books. I don't discriminate between believer and non-believer when it comes to training and gaining information. However, when reading or listening to non believers, you need to be keenly aware of your own motives. That's not to say that every non believer has wrong motives, you just need to be discerning.
Are you Tommy Tinney's relative? (Alexander)
No, I'm not related to Tommy.
Please tell more about Family Aid International. What do you do and why in Ukraine? (Yuriy, Kiev)
Family Aid Int. is a registered charity fund in Ukraine that helps orphans, under privileged children and abandoned babies. We have 10 branch offices in cities that carry out the vision of the organization. They are self sustaining, meaning that each branch supports itself, they do not receive regular funding from USA. We work in Ukraine because that is where I feel we should, as the founder and President of the fund. We have been actively involved in Ukraine since 1995.
What will Dnipropetrovsk conference be about?
The conference will lay a theological foundation why Christians should be involved in business and a practical teaching about planning, budgeting, cash flow, sales, marketing, and customer service.
Ministry and business - for a lot of people these two cannot go together. But how can you do a conference without estimating the costs? I often hear: "If God said He will provide"... I agree with that, but you still have to budget. Do you think ministers have to be taught business basics? And how do you esplain people that if there is money in ministry, it doesn't mean it has become pure business? (Alyona, Kiev)
yes, I feel ministers should also be taught about business. After all, they need to be good stewards of any funds they use in their ministry and that is very similar to business. Also, I think Christianity should be practical. Our churches should teach on subjects that are relevant to everyday living, otherwise our churches just become religious and of no practical value. Personally, I consider my business as ministry because not only do I pay my bills with it but I also use my business to fund the work I do in Ukraine. My business is a tool in the hand of God!
What are your favorite books? (Christian, non-Christian, from the Bible) What books would you recommend to read? (Andrey)
I enjoy reading non-fiction books about people who've done great things. Recently I read a book about Winston Churchill's life, i was impressed. The book that has impacted me the most in recent years was about Major Dick Winters who served with the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment in WW2. he was a great hero yet very humble man. I also read a lot of Jeffrey Gitomer's books, he is one of the leading instructors in the US on salesmanship.
Where could I hear or read your teaching?
I see myself continuing to visit eastern Europe, teaching business and marketing skills to those who are hungry to learn how to do it right. Our organization will continue its social work for decades to come because its not built around my personality but around a philosophy to help the defenseless orphans and babies.
How do you see your ministry in 5, 10, and 25 years?
I see myself continuing to visit eastern Europe, teaching business and marketing skills to those who are hungry to learn how to do it right. Our organization will continue its social work for decades to come because its not built around my personality but around a philosophy to help the defenseless orphans and babies.
Do you experience difficulties, working in Ukraine? Because you would be considered a "foreign cult member" by many.
No, I have not experienced those difficulties because cult leaders seek to control their followers. I seek to help and release people into true liberty, self esteem and the true purpose in life. I suppose there are a few narrow minded people who would oppose me, but I've not met them.
What would you recommend to change first to make one's life more effective and efficient?
I would suggest committing oneself to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and receive Him. He is the greatest person who ever lived, past, present and future. Secondly, I would suggest one stop living for himself and begin to help those around him. I believe selfishness is our worst enemy.
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