We live in a world that glamorizes entrepreneurship. Around every corner, there is someone preaching to quit the 9 to 5 with promises of influence, wealth and a better life. It’s easy to be swayed by these messages, if we’re not rooted and grounded in the Lord. In last month’s issue, we’ve already acknowledged that having the privilege to pursue entrepreneurship is a blessing. So how can we ensure that we are being good stewards of the blessing?
First, let’s look at our hearts. It’s time for a heart check.
What was the motive behind the start of your business? Was it fame, riches, a platform or money? Or did you have a heart posture of service unto others?
If you know the story of Solomon’s dream in the Bible, you will recall that God gave Solomon the opportunity to ask Him for anything.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” I Kings 3:5 NIV
Seek the Lord for guidance before you make plans instead of making plans and asking God to bless it after the fact.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Now that we’ve checked our hearts, let’s check the house.
Theoretically, the “house” is the business. So, what type of house are you building?When it comes to this topic, the Bible is very clear in the book of Psalms.
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1 NIV
Imagine spending months or years building a business and it being a waste of time, because the Lord did not build the house. Imagine all of the effort, late nights, investments and challenges being in vain.
So how can we make certain that the Lord is building our house (aka business)?
1. Seek the Lord for guidance before you make plans instead of making plans and asking God to bless it after the fact.
You have a new idea for how to market your business? Or there’s a new service you would like to offer your clients? Pray about itbeforeyou implement it.God is not obligated to bless plans that are not in alignment with His will. But He will provide, if we put Him first.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
2. Listen for the voice of God. God is speaking. He is leading and guiding. He is telling us who to connect to. He is telling us which events to go to or skip. He is giving us a strategy. But are we listening? It may be challenging to hear God, if we’ve made idols out of the voices of others.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 ESV
3. Operate in obedience to the Lord. When God gives instruction, it’s up to us to obey and do what He tells us to do. Sometimes the instructions may go against logic. It may even cut into the bottom line *gasp*. But God is intentional and He would never instruct us to do anything that would be detrimental to us.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; Isaiah 1:19 ESV
Quick story. Not long ago, I was in search of an accountant for tax preparation and bookkeeping services. The first person I hired did not work out and I lost money (which was recently recouped). But, at the time, I was at a loss; and I was slow to trust someone again. The next person I sought to hire happened to be a Christian entrepreneur.
During our consultation, they said they felt led to offer me a discount. At the time, this discount was helpful to me and I was grateful. I felt that God was in the midst of this transaction. It was almost like God was nudging me saying, I know what you’ve just been through. I understand. Trust me. At this moment, I felt secure. Imagine if that business owner had not obeyed the leading of the Lord in that moment. It would have been a missed opportunity for God’s presence to be evident.
The work that we are doing in our businesses is more than just the service we are providing. We are the representation of Christ in the marketplace. We are lights in dark industries. We are hope in the midst of despairing situations. We are solutions to painful problems.
At least that’s what we ought to be. So, along the journey, let’s make sure that our hearts are pure and our houses are being built by the Lord.
