Drawn To The Idea Of Christian Entrepreneurship?
What is true security? A business or a Job? Can a business ever be truly secure? God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.
I've been thinking about this question a lot too.
I've run a Christian Virtual Business Incubator for fifteen years, worked with more than eight hundred sixty-five clients, and started ten companies in ten different markets with ten different business models.
The first two were train wrecks, the next three were six figures, and the last three seven, and I can share a few ideas I've found valuable.
First, we must wrap our heads around time and security.
With a job, we have a measure of security, but it's false security because we are not the head. We are only the tail.
But the upside is we work Monday and might get our check Friday, so it's a faster turnaround time.
When starting a business, it's more like a crockpot than a microwave.
When we misunderstand this principle, it can cause confusion, emotional roller coaster rides, and eventually abandonment of the idea and reversion to the average.
Maybe God didn't call me to start a business. Maybe this is all there is.
I can promise that this is not the case.
The Bible teaches us in Mark 4:28: "First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens."
There is a Kingdom progression.
Small > medium > large.
When we make the mistake of thinking that we can start a business today and enjoy a "large" harvest tomorrow, we are setting ourselves up for failure.
We walk, then run.
This can take time.
Second, the good news is we can accelerate the process by choosing the Model we put our hands to with wisdom. Some business models are low and slow: "low margins and slow growth," and others can be fast and big.
When we pick up one end of the stick, we automatically pick up the other end of the stick.
It's incredibly important that we choose which business model we work with care, diligence, and prayer.
Third, in today's world of rapid change and volatility, it's important that we don't try to do this stuff alone.
Too many blind spots.
The Bible teaches in Proverbs 15:22: Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
I think of it this way: If I'm going to cross a minefield, it's probably a good idea to follow someone who has already been across.
It's really important to receive from Godly mentors, coaches, and role models.
Who put Jesus first?
Period.
And who aren't afraid to say that Jesus is Lord and they love Him and put Him first place and give Him final authority in their life.
If they don't share that, how do we know?
Psalms 1-4: 1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Ungodly = chaff which the wind drives away.
That doesn't sound good.
Planted by the rivers of water, brings forth fruit, leaf not wither, prospers in all they do.
That does sound good.
Fourth:
Ever met someone who was successful in multiple different business models and wondered how the heck they did it?
Was it the Model, or was it something else, maybe?
I contend that while the Model is important, by no means is it the secret. I know people who would be successful in any model they were put in.
I believe it's their Mindset.
They have tapped into a deep level of focus, communication with the Holy Spirit, work ethic, big thinking vs. small thinking, and a positive mental approach to life and business.
The Bible teaches us in Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of the mind…"
Deuteronomy 8:18: But remember the Lord our God, for it is he who gives us the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to our ancestors, as it is today.
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
When I was broke, I thought small.
One day I felt the Holy Spirit say to me: "Paul, realize that I am limited by thinking. If one thinks they can only have a job at average rates, that's what they get. I'm a gentleman and won't force more on anyone. If I don't force my Son on them, I won't force health, or finances, or anything else. It's up to them to appropriate all that I've paid the price for. My streets are paved with Gold. It's under every citizen's foot. It's the equivalent of pavement or asphalt on Earth.
In my words. I say: My kingdom come, my will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. I didn't create people to squeak by. I created them to reign as Kings in life.
Blown.
Away.
So I started pressing in and thinking bigger.
How can I harvest more to sow more into the kingdom?
How can we support more ministries and ministers?
How can I get 100% of my time back and never have to worry about money again?
The good news is that it took some time, but with God's power, we achieved the goal.
God promises us wealth to establish His covenant.
What is that covenant?
His is a Love covenant that involves people.
The world's system is to love money and use people.
The kingdom system is to love people and use money.
When we get these things moving in the right direction, the sky's the limit. There are three critical things that I've learned over my twenty-plus years, evaluating over one hundred and fifty different business models as a Christian entrepreneur.
I've put together my observations and these three keys (I learned the hard way) into a Christian Entrepreneur Manifesto along with some step-by-step walk-throughs and demonstrations.
There is no opt-in required.
It might be interesting for a Christian looking to start something to escape the nine-to-five and not have to work for someone else until the age of eighty.
Check it out here:
https://christianentrepreneurinc.com/go-video
I hope it helps!
Blessings,
Paul
PS: God is a big God.
He gives us above and beyond what we can ask or think.
We must ask big.
We must think big.
And if we don't, it's not His fault if we live limited.
Work hard, pray harder, and never ever ever ever quit.
You've got this!
PPS: Whenever You’re Ready... Here's How I Can Help You Generate An Additional $5 to $10k Per Month Or More:
- Check Out Our Christian Entrepreneurship Manifesto
Learn why some "make it" and others don't - Access More Articles Like This
Sharpen your Mindset, Model, and get Mentored - Watch Our Christian Business Incubator Training
Learn key lessons from analyzing over 150 different business models, launching ten virtual businesses in ten different markets with ten different models, and hitting six figures in four and seven figures - Schedule A Free Discovery Call
Make sure you read the Manifesto and review the Training first and then let's hop on a call and get all your questions answered about the Christian Startup Business Incubator