Some practical ways to make your faith a key part of your business
My faith is a big part of who I am, and I never thought I needed to think of ways of integrating faith and business. But, that’s exactly what I have done. Because the truth is, it’s not enough to say that I’m a Christian and I will always follow biblical business principles.
It’s all well and good to say that when you’re just starting out, but what happens when you face an obstacle in your business? If we are being honest, we know the reality of running a business and trying to make it successful can make you question some of your beliefs and principles. That’s why I think it’s really important to be intentional about integrating your faith and business.
Your faith should underpin everything you do in your business. From how you market your business to how you make hiring decisions, and everything in between. So the question now is how do you lead with your faith? What are some ways you can ensure your Christian faith and beliefs are central to your business?
That’s what I am going to answer in this post. I want to share some things I do that ensure I am constantly walking in the truth of God’s word.
It’s not always easy to align your faith and beliefs with your business practices, and anyone who says it is is probably not telling the truth. We are sinful beings prone to errors and bad judgment, that’s why we need the grace of God to help us resist sin, and continued guidance from the Holy Spirit.
So let’s look at some practical ways you can make your faith a key part of your business.
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5 Practical Ways to Integrate Faith and Business
1. TRUST IN GOD
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 23:6)
Learning to let go and trust God has been a game changer for me. The biggest benefit of trusting God is that I am more at peace and less stressed.
Don’t get me wrong. I still worry a bit especially when things aren’t going so well, however, knowing God is in control, and his thoughts toward me are thoughts of good has certainly lifted a heaven weight off my shoulders. So instead of spending so much time worrying like I used to, I take my fears and concerns to the Lord in prayer and let his peace flow over me.
Quite a few Christians have forsaken the faith because of unbelief and lack of trust in God. They couldn’t rely on God to make a way for them, so they went their own way in search of business success and prosperity. But God is faithful, and we can trust him in our business.
Learning to put my faith in God completely is one of the best things I have done to integrate business and faith.
Related: Trusting God With Your Business: 6 Practical Ways to Do It
2. USE YOUR BUSINESS FOR GOOD
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
A Christian business is a business founded on biblical principles, and one of the the best ways to live out your faith as a Christian business owner, is to use your business for good.
So what are some practical ways you can integrate faith and business, and use your business to do good? Here are a few suggestions for you:
- Value people over profit. Yes, you need to be profitable to stay in business, but you need to put people first.
- Build a business that really helps people. Don’t be in business and do what everyone else is doing.
- Support a worthy cause. What are some things or issues you care about? How can you support them through your business? Whether it’s supporting them with your time or money, your business can really have an impact on people’s lives.
3. BE A GOOD LEADER AND MANAGER
More than ever before, we need good business leaders and managers to lead the way and show us how things should be done. This is the purpose of Christianity in the business world.
As a Christian entrepreneur, you should lead the way and demonstrate how Christianity and business ethics are connected. One way to integrate your business and faith is to become a good business leader and manager.
You should learn and exhibit good leadership and management skills in your business. Some attributes of a good business leader and manager are:
- Integrity
- Faithfulness
- A willingness to learn
- Humility
- Kindness
- Accountability
- Purpose
- Patience
- Resilience
The world is crying out for good leaders. Faithful men and women who will lead by example. Men and women who put the needs of others before their own.
So many leaders have failed to live up to their responsibility, that it’s difficult to know what true leadership looks like. This is where Christians must rise up to fill the void. Be a leader that can be trusted. Keep your promises, help to restore faith in business.
Look for opportunities to lead and provide direction. Manage the people under you with kindness and love. Above all, be a servant leader, knowing that you will answer to God for your actions.
Integrating your faith and business requires you to be intentional. To know what’s right, and to do it.
4. FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND SERVING OTHERS
It’s hard to influence people if you don’t have a relationship with them. Think about it, who are you more likely to listen to? Someone you know and trust or an acquaintance?
It’s hard to influence people if you don’t have a relationship with them. The gospel of our Lord Jesus can reach more people if we focus on getting to them, and building relationships with them.
Knowing how to serve others is one of the hallmarks of a great leader. So if you want to be a great leader, you must first learn how to build relationships and serve others. I know this may not be easy for everyone, but it can be done. I am not naturally a people person, but I have gotten better at it.
To build relationships, you must learn how to communicate well, be flexible, and empathetic. People can tell when you fake it, so it’s really important to be genuine. Serving others can be very rewarding. It can also boost your motivation when you see the positive effect it has on people.
Related: 6 Easy Ways for Biblical Entrepreneurs Stay Inspired
Building relationships and serving others requires sacrifice. You have to put others before yourself. You may have to give up something you love or enjoy to foster relationships, but it’s worth it if you’re truly committed.
If you’re not great at building relationships, you can learn how to do it if you really want to. All you need to do is to be willing and open. Building relationships and serving others can restore people’s faith in business owners and entrepreneurship.
Below are some useful articles on relationship building.
5 Powerful Ways for Building Fulfilling Relationships
7 Key Habits For Building Better Relationships
5. STAND BY WHAT YOU BELIEVE
We’ve talked about using your business for good, becoming a great leader and manager, and building relationships, but none of that means anything if you don’t stand by what you believe.
You’re going to face lots of pressures as a business owner, and it can be tempting to just cave in and conform, but when you fail to stand for what you believe, you put your faith in jeopardy.
You can love people, be a good leader, and build relationships while standing by what you believe. Don’t become something you’re not in order to please people or be accepted.
Remember, you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So stay faithful to your beliefs and convictions no matter what kind of pressure you may be facing. No one said being a Christian in business was going to be easy.
Some ways you can stand for what you believe include:
- Doing the right thing no matter what everyone else around you is doing
- Running your business with biblical principles
- Placing a high value on integrity
- Avoiding situations that lead you to see
- Minding the company you keep
Standing for what you believe implies you already know what those beliefs are. If you are uncertain what you believe about certain business issues, take some time to address them.
Start by reading the Bible, then make a list of some Christian values you want to incorporate into your business. Once you know what your values are, it’s easy to follow them and stand by them.
Final Thoughts on 5 Practical Ways to Integrate Faith and Business
Christianity has the power to change the business world, but we must stand up and lead the way. We can’t afford to stay quiet or go with the flow. Our Christian faith should be front and center of our businesses if we are to honor God through entrepreneurship.
If you have been struggling to integrate your faith and your business, I hope the ideas in this post can inspire you, and help to glorify God in your business.
Do you struggle to live out your faith in your business?
Related Christian business advice posts
The Best Pieces of Advice for Christians in Business
Glorifying God Through Business: 7 Simple Strategies That Honor God
7 Daily Practices for Christian Business Owners
5 Practical Ways to Integrate Faith and Business
I am studying business management and we had to write a paper about faith and learning in operations management. This article displayed many valuable ways to integrate faith and business. I think it can be applied not just to business but in everything we do!
Hey! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, it’s possible to integrate faith and business. Good luck with your studies!