For some of us great business ideas are like water, turn the faucet on and they won’t stop pouring out. The lack of business endeavors is rarely problematic for entrepreneurs.
The issue often lies in choosing what to focus on. Forging ahead with a business idea or two (or three) can easily take up loads of time; as you pour all of your focus into getting an idea out of your head and into reality. But what if this is not what God want’s for your life?
Personally, I don’t always stop to check in with God prior to forging ahead on a new venture. Going about business with a biblical-based mindset is something that I often have to remind myself of or remember to do after I am already knee-deep in work. I find myself so focused and invested in the creation process that I forget to speak to the ultimate creator about my plans. Can you relate?
There have been many times that I’ve stated God was the head of my life without giving thought to the brevity of the statement. Recently, I asked myself if God was truly the CEO of my business. If my goal is Christian biblical entrepreneurship, am I living by godly principles? I asked myself the following five questions and will continue to do so as I move ahead in life. I will use them as a barometer to determine if I am too focused on worldly success instead of heavenly wealth. Maybe they can be of use to you in your journey as well!
Am I still spending time with Him daily?
Am I praying, reading, or worshiping Him regularly? On those hectic days when I don’t think I have time to speak to Him or check-in, do I make the time? When there is so much work to be done, am I willing to sacrifice time to spend it with Him? Psalm 119:105 tells us that the word is a lamp to our feet and Matthew 4:4 lets us know that it is part of our daily sustenance. Reading and connecting with God is an extremely important aspect of the Christian walk. The real conundrum is that this time is not for God, but for us. Our spirits feed and thrive off of God’s word, we don’t live by bread alone. And this is even more so important to remember as entrepreneurs.
When we truly love someone one of the ways we show this is by spending quality time together. If you didn’t set aside time for your spouse or children those relationships would soon take a turn for the worse. The same goes for making time for God.
Do I seek His guidance and wisdom prior to making decisions?
Praying to God prior to making decisions in life is important as a Christian and this doesn’t stop at entrepreneurship. In today’s society, it is extremely important to have God’s hand and will on all that we do as entrepreneurs. Jeremiah 29:13 tells us that we are to seek Him with all of our hearts. In the book of James, we learn that we gain heavenly wisdom through asking. If you are having a difficult time discerning the voice of God after asking questions, there are so many answers in the bible to refer to, even about biblical entrepreneurship.
Am I running my business according to biblical principles?
Am I keeping the sabbath, tithing, giving back, and focused on proclaiming the word of God? Unfortunately, I can’t say yes to all of these all of the time but it is what I strive for. There are many biblical principles in the bible that detail how we should live daily life. Although not many verses focus on entrepreneurship they apply to that aspect of life as well.
Is my heart in the right place?
Is what I’m doing profitable for the kingdom of God or just my pockets? What is my purpose for doing business? Am I being a light in the world and spreading God’s word or simply adding to the darkness? In the past when I’ve started business ventures out of greed or selfish motivation, they did not succeed. Also, I know that I would not have been happy in the long run. Jesus came to serve. In turn, as living examples of what it means to live a Christ-like life we are here to serve others. There is little room for vain ambition and selfishness in the world of a christian entrepreneur.
Am I willing to set it down if He say’s to let it go?
This is a difficult ask, but if God asked me to step away from my business is it something that I am willing to do? No matter how lucrative or passionate I am about it would I obey? God’s love language is obedience and sometimes He asks us to do things that don’t feel good. But those things are put in place to stretch and grow us into better people. Think of the story of Abraham and Issac, God asked him to sacrifice his own child. I don’t have children, so my businesses are like my babies (along with my dogs and plants)! There is no sacrifice so great that it could equal what Jesus did for us on the cross. If business is coming before God or pulling our heart toward the world it is best to let it go regardless of how lucrative it may be.
I always want to ensure that I am not so busy building a brand that my spiritual foundation crumbles. As Christians, we have to focus on being eternally focused, not so driven by things of this world.
What are some questions you would add to the list?
Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
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