Christian values in business to be happier, wealthier and more fulfilled
If you’re a Christian entrepreneur, Christian values should be at the center of your business. Christian business core values are what your business stands for, and how you choose to run your business.
As a Christian business owner, you can’t run your business with worldly values or according to the system of this world because “we are in the world, but we are not of the world.” (John 15:19) (Romans 12:2)
Your business values should direct your business and ensure your business practices are aligned with your beliefs. If you haven’t developed core values for your business, this post will show you seven Christian business values that lead to happiness and success.
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7 Christian Business Values to be Happy and Successful
1. DILIGENCE
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4)
Diligence is defined as “careful and persistent work or effort.” You can’t expect to be successful if you refuse to put in the effort. The amount of work you need to do depends on what you’re trying to achieve, and how you define success. However, for the most part, you should put in sustained effort.
Which means you have to be consistent. You must show up every day and do what’s needed whether you feel like it or not. The habit of diligence is something every Christian should develop because it pleases God, and also ensures we will see the result of our hard work.
For Christian businesses, diligence should be one of your core values if you want to succeed and glorify God with your business. You must shun slothfulness and laziness.
When you’re diligent, you feel happy because you know you’re keeping your part of the bargain, while trusting God to bless the work of your hand. It’s hard to find a leg to stand on when you haven’t really done your part.
If you have a business with employees, you must lead the way for them. Don’t expect your employees to be diligent when you’re not. That would be hypocrisy.
So set the tone for your business and be an example for all to follow.
Related: How to Prosper in Business as a Christian (5 Assets You Need to Build a Prosperous Business)
2. INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
Integrity and honesty should be at the core of any Christian business. As a Christian business owner, you should always tell the truth and be committed to upholding strong moral and ethical values.
When you have integrity, you don’t stick to the truth only when it’s convenient. A commitment to integrity means you don’t bend the rules or try to circumvent rules for material or other gains. A commitment to integrity means you’re willing to make sacrifices, and stick to ethical and moral principles even when doing so would cost you.
How you conduct your business and make business decisions is a true reflection of whether honesty and integrity are important to you.
For example, if your employees find it easy to lie to customers, that would suggest that your business has a culture of lying to its customers. That’s why it’s important to let everyone know what values are important to you, and the best way is to demonstrate it.
So how do you adopt the values of integrity and honesty? Here are some ways:
- Doing the right thing no matter the cost.
- Your word should be your bond. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
- Follow through on your promises.
When you build your business on Christian values and business ethics, you make it easy for your customers to trust you. When your customers trust you, they become loyal customers. That’s a win-win scenario for both of you.
Here is a very useful post on the importance of integrity in Business: The Importance of Integrity in Business
3. CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
“I always questioned myself in the best of times, even when I was world number one for many, many weeks and months in a row, at certain times during the year I said, ‘What can I improve? What do I need to change?’ Because if you don’t do anything or you just do the same thing over and over again, you stay the same, and staying the same means going backward.” – Roger Federer
I am an avid tennis fan and Roger Federer is my favorite player, and I actually think he’s the best tennis player of all time (and I’m not accepting any argument at this time. Thank you!).
The first time I heard him say the quote above, it really resonated with me, because not improving actually feels like you’re moving backward.
When you’re in business it does feel that way when you see your competitors being innovative and creative, coming up with new ideas and products, while you keep doing business the same way, year after year.
There are still some businesses that in 2020 don”t have an online presence because they can’t be bothered to learn how the internet works, or how they can harness it for their business growth.
Continuous learning and constant improvement should be one of the values that define a Christian business. One way to encourage and promote continuous learning is to enroll yourself and employees in courses, conferences, or industry training.
Invest in books and other resources for your business to facilitate continuous learning. Encourage your employees to share their ideas and suggestions for improving your business.
The Bible has lots to say about learning and improving. Here are a few verses for you.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2: 52)
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,” (2 Peter 1:5)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18″
4. COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE
One of the Christian business values you should adopt for your business is a commitment to quality and excellence.
You should always strive for excellence in whatever you do, and make sure you communicate your expectations to your employees. Make sure they understand that it’s unacceptable to do shoddy work and half-hearted attempts won’t be tolerated.
Like all things, you have to model the values you expect from your employees. A good leader leads by example. You can’t hold others to a standard you aren’t willing to live up to. That would be unfair and make you a hypocrite.
As a Christian business owner, you must have a commitment to quality and excellence and doing the best you can at all times. Which means, going above and beyond, and exceeding all expectations.
Of course, you are going to fail sometimes because you’re human, and that’s understandable. What is important is that you always strive for excellence like Daniel, and you never settle for mediocrity.
5. PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE
Patience and perseverance are two of the most overlooked Christian values in business. We have been sold a lie that results must come quickly even when we put in minimal effort, and when they don’t come, we quit and move onto something more promising.
As Christians, we know this is a lie, and patience and perseverance are good things and good values to adopt in life. Patience also has its reward. It fosters happiness and decreases stress because it gives you a realistic view of things.
When you have patience, you’re willing to persevere because you know that lasting success takes time and effort. So instead of feeling sad and anxious about your situation, you feel hopeful and motivated to keep working hard.
Just like the Bible says in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” and James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
If you haven’t already done so, consider adopting patience and perseverance as part of your business values.
6. DISCIPLINE AND SELF-CONTROL
We know of businesses that have gone under because their owners lacked self-discipline and self-control. They gave in to base impulses which lead to their destruction. A Christian business leader without self-discipline or self-control is in danger of making the same mistake.
Discipline and self-control should be at the center of Christian values and business ethics because you can’t adopt or demonstrate any other value if you lack self-discipline.
Self-control is the ability to think before acting. To stop yourself from making impulsive decisions. No matter how good or talented you are, if you lack self-control and discipline, you have a major character flaw that could hinder you.
You can’t afford to neglect self-control if you want to be happy and successful in life and business.
Self-control and discipline are two of the most admirable traits for Christian business leaders to desire and develop. Self-restraint will stop you from ruining relationships with your customers, investors, employees, and business partners.
7. RESPECT AND COURAGE
As a Christian, your values are critical to your success, as well as your ability to build relationships with your customers. That’s why it really important what values you adopt for your business.
The values of respect and courage can positively impact your business and your customers if you make them a part of your company’s culture. So what do these values mean for you and your business?
The value of “respect” means you’ll treat everyone fairly and with respect. You accept that all men are created equal and deserving of respect. That you’ll appreciate your customers and be kind, serving them with humility, and a willingness to help them with their problems. Also, you will listen to their grievances and address them in a timely manner.
When respect is part of your value system, you don’t discriminate against anyone. Your employees are treated well. You listen to them and appreciate their contribution to your business. You don’t take them for granted or treat them as inferior.
What’s the role of courage in your business? You need courage to execute your Christian business values without fear or compromise. You and your employees need to be bold and stick to your policies even when you face pushbacks.
Now more than ever, we need bold and courageous leaders who can stand for what they believe. As long as your business values are moral and ethical, you should be willing to stand by what you believe.
Courage and respect go hand in hand, so go ahead and make them a part of your business values.
Wrapping up 7 Christian Business Values to be Happy and Successful
You can build a successful business on moral and ethical values. You don’t have to conform to this world to be happy or successful. Christian values and business can coexist, and many Christian entrepreneurs have done it, and still do it.
So be bold and courageous. Live your life and run your business according to your convictions. Treat people with respect, be diligent, patient, and always remember to exercise self-control.
What is your favorite Christian value for business?
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7 Christian Business Values to be Happy and Successful
