Starting a Biblical Business

Starting a Biblical Business

If you’ve been on social media, you’ve likely noticed a trend in people starting businesses within these last few years. Seeing business owners sharing their paychecks online can make starting a business seem enticing. Because of this, many people are hopping on this train and starting their own businesses.

The best way to learn about how to run a successful business is to see what God has to say about starting a biblical business:

Business Principle 1: Success Takes Effort

Proverbs 14:23

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

To make any money with or without your own business takes effort. You must first be willing to put in the time and effort to build a successful business. Know that starting a biblical business is not some “get rich easy” scheme; it’s simply a different way to make money. Yes, you certainly can make more money running a business than you do working a standard 9-5, but that does not make it easier or more simple. I suggest reading The Millionaire Next Door to help understand this principle better.

Running your own business is still a job, and it must be given the same time, effort, and dedication as a job. No business will be easy or lazy. Being lazy will destroy your business. Starting a successful business will probably take more time and effort than a 9-5 at first. Nothing good comes easy.

Biblical Business Principle 2: Faithfulness Produces Fruit

Luke 16:10

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Luke 16:10 is one of the most famous verses in the Bible, but what does it mean?

It’s quite simple; you must be trustworthy with a $250 net worth business to be trustworthy with a $250,000,000 net worth business. One thing to remember is that all things belong to God; money is no different. (Psalm 14:1-3)

God can tell money to go to you and your business, and it will. He can tell money where not to go, and it listens. God will not send you more than you can handle or be trusted with.

In order to gain more business, you must manage what little you have now wisely and justly. And if you are being faithful, be patient; God will bless you at the best time. One of the best ways to be faithful is to go ahead and create a budget!

Related Content: Should You Use Credit Cards?

Business Principle 3: You Must Cultivate Your Skills and Talents

Proverbs 22:29

“Do you see a man who is skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”

Starting a biblical business requires you to be skilled in your craft. Are you an artist? Sell your artwork. Are you a carpenter? Start a woodshop.

If you are not yet skilled in whatever craft, practice it; refine it. It could be anything, just make sure you are capable of working in your company. Think about it; if a potter makes a misshapen pot, who will buy it? But if that same potter becomes skilled and makes a beautiful pot with wonderful inlays and few flaws, who will not buy it?

And don’t stop there. Make a large pot with more complex engravings, fewer flaws, and more time put into it. It will sell much faster.

God gave us skills and the power to make money with them (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Biblical Business Principle 4: It Doesn’t Depend on You

Psalm 37:23-24

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he may fall, he will not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.”

If you are seeking the Lord in your business, God will help you. If you are starting a biblical business to fund an ungodly lifestyle, He will not support you. You must seek God and use your business as a way to serve God, whether that be with your talents, your new income, or your customer connection.

All money is the Lord’s, and He cares where He sends it.

Related Content: How to Become Location Independent

Business Principle 5: Always Listen to God

Proverbs 3:5

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

God is your idol, not success. If you rely on God, He will give you success. If you rely on success, you will lose God, and you will lose success.

Rely on the Lord for your success, rely on the Lord for your instructions. Pray and intercede with the Father before making large decisions.

This can be the hardest part of starting a biblical business. Small opportunities may come up, and God may say “Yes, take it.” Amazing opportunities will come up, and God may say “No, don’t take that.”

And if you do not listen to God, you might end up losing your business.

But, God will never leave you hanging. You will be surprised at the opportunities or customers you might’ve missed had you not listened to God. Remember, God wants to see you win, and if it goes against our human logic, the path to get there, God will still offer to take you.

Final Thoughts on Starting a Biblical Business

Now that we’ve taken a look at what God says, I have one task for you:

Read the book of Proverbs.

One chapter a day for 31 days, and you will learn so much more about what God wants business to be. And not just that, Proverbs will strengthen you in so many other ways.

Additionally, read about what Jesus says about money in His parables: