Why do we call ourselves Christian Entrepreneurs? Are the components of the financial statements different for Christian Entrepreneurs than non-Christian Entrepreneurs? Are the critical financial indicators different? Hmmm, I do not believe so.
Correction: I know they are not different. There has to be something that is different. Otherwise, why bother?
We are Christian entrepreneurs, but are we afraid to allow God’s Word to define the measure of our success and how we achieve it? Have we allowed ideological strongholds (center around systems of thoughts and ideas personified in cultures and apply pressure on people of that culture) to influence our economic systems? God birthed this business in you according to His will, plan, and purpose for your life to represent His kingdom on earth, and He does know how to complete what He started.
My go-to has always been 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 success, the Holy Spirit has had me spending much time in Psalm 1:1-6. The key concepts are the same – meditate on God’s Word daily to know what to do, and your way will be prosperous and successful. Why is Psalm 1:1-6 so alive for Christian Entrepreneurs today that it could have been written this morning? It may be because some of us may be challenged to believe that God’s word is not compartmentalized, as some may suggest that it is. Ideological strongholds have some in the culture to think that you cannot be successful in business based on God’s Word.
Psalm 1:1-6 gives Christian Entrepreneurs insight. I can recall saying to my three daughters when they were growing up, I don’t know what you are going to do, but here’s what you are not going to do….” I would then rattle off a well-articulated, no-questions-asked, I mean it- list of things that were not going to happen. That’s sort of what we get in Psalm 1:1.
God’s Word says this is what Blessed people do not do:
1. Walk in the counsel of the wicked – Who is advising you? Your advisory team may be business savvy, but are they also evil? Is their counsel based on famous sayings and clichés not rooted in God’s Word? Some business leaders ask, “Would you rather be right or effective?” It may sound good, but with a closer examination, does being right and effective have to be mutually exclusive? The Holy Spirit is available to guide us to be effective in the right way.
2. Stand in the path of sinners – What is the path of your pursuit? Are your business decisions business as usual because that’s what everyone does? Can you trust God to choose the narrow path that leads to life? Can you be the business that does business differently to change the economic systems ideological strongholds? What if we demonstrated God’s love to our employees, suppliers, and customers? Do we view our competitors as enemies? If so, should we? Doesn’t Jesus say to pray for enemies? Can we pray for the success of their business?
3. Sit in the seat of scoffers – Who are you sitting with? Scoffers have no real business of their own. They are shallow thinkers who always have something to say. In other places in God’s Word, this is referred to as an arrogant fool. It is bad enough to be a fool but an arrogant one. Why would we spend time sitting with scoffers? Perhaps because they are always around and always talking.
How do you stop doing these things? In your next devotion/quiet time (if you do not have one, start today), ask the Holy Spirit to show you who you need to stop listening to. If you have an advisory board, ask who needs to come off. Hopefully, that won’t be everyone! Then ask the Holy Spirit, who should be a complement to the Word of God, to help your business glorify Him. God is faithful, and He will send who you need. Reflect on where you are standing. If it is not God’s path, get off. Whatever it takes, get off. You may be wondering, why am I sitting with scoffers? Stop wondering; you know who they are – get up!
It is demanding to be an entrepreneur; however, if you want real success (knowing and doing the will of God) in your business, there are things you can’t and must do. Part 2 is coming!
As an aside, the opening Word to the book of Psalms – Blessed, is the equivalent term for Blessed that Jesus used to start His teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. I’m just saying!
Thank for your obedience in writing this. God has been giving me this exact word. This is clear confirmation🙌🏾