Starting a Business God's Way: 6 Simple Rules to Guide You

Simple rules you can follow to help you start a business God‘s way

If you’re thinking of starting a business God’s way, you may be wondering what that means or what it entails.

Starting a business in a way that honors God isn’t a vague or abstract idea. There are some things you can do when starting a business that would ensure your business is founded on biblical principles and operates in a manner that pleases God.

That’s what we are going to look at in this post. Some simple actions you can take if you are starting a Christian business for the glory of God.

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Starting a Christian Business: 6 Simple Rules to Guide You

1. A FIRM COMMITMENT TO BIBLICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Starting a Christian business requires a firm commitment to biblical entrepreneurship. What this means is that you’re committed to running your business with God’s business principles. A commitment to biblical entrepreneurship means your company or business values must be rooted in the word of God and nothing else.

A decision to start a business God’s way is an acknowledgment of God’s ownership over your life and business. When you truly embrace biblical entrepreneurship, the word of God should permeate every area of your business including your decision making, how you treat your customers, and how you choose your business partners.

Choosing to incorporate God into your business is an act of faith and worship because you understand that your business success is tied to God. So if you’re thinking of starting a Christian business or seeking God to start a business, make a commitment to yourself to embrace biblical entrepreneurship.

Let God reign supreme in your business, run your business with biblical business principles, and let Christian business values be at the core of your business.

2. HAVE A DETAILED CHRISTIAN BUSINESS PLAN

“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27)

A business plan is one of the most common things that gets left out when starting a business (especially if you’re starting an online or small business).

I have written a fair bit about the importance of having a business plan, and why it’s essential for your success as an entrepreneur. Now, if you’re wondering what a Christian business plan is, it’s simply a business plan that contains some statements or affirmations of faith.

Starting a business without a plan is a huge mistake and could potentially delay the growth of your business. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you want to start, or whether God has called you to start a business. You still need a plan to show you all the steps you need to take.

The purpose of a business plan is to outline where you want to go with your business and how you will get there. It also tells you whether or not you’re on track to achieve your goals. This is very helpful since it shows you what you need to focus on and what you can set aside.

Starting a business can be overwhelming, but it’s much easier and less stressful when you have a plan that shows you the steps to take. No more wondering what you should be doing next or how to do it.

While it’s possible to start and run a business without a plan, it increases the likelihood of failing along the way. Why would you want to put yourself in that position when you could easily create a business plan to guide you?

So if you haven’t created a business plan yet or think it isn’t important, think again. A business plan is an important tool for your business since it allows you to outline your goals and track your progress.

Check out the post below for some more reasons why a business plan is important.

8 Reasons Having a Business Plan Is Important for Small Businesses + VIDEO

Also, check out the post below for some with creating a Christian business plan.

3. STARTING A CHRISTIAN BUSINESS? YOU NEED PRAYER AND FAITH

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22) “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

Starting a business God’s way without prayer and faith is like trying to start a fire without a lighter. It isn’t going to work.

As a Christian, you should commit all your ways and plan to God including seeking him before starting a business. When you commit to starting a business God’s way, you’re going to be faced with lots of challenges and some doubt. You need the grace of God to overcome these challenges and doubts.

Prayer is your access to God and should be at the center of your business. Don’t try to do anything in your business without taking the time to pray about it.

Prayer isn’t the only thing that’s important for your business. You also need faith. Faith that God hears you when you call on him (Psalm 34:17), and the assurance that you’re doing the right thing for your business. Faith in God means you trust him to establish the works of your hands and to perfect that which concerns you (Jeremiah 29:12).

Entrepreneurship is an act of faith because you’re stepping out into the unknown. You’re investing time and resources into something with the hope that things will work out fine. That’s why you need constant prayer and faith in God to continue to push forward.

So as you seek God to start a business, pray without ceasing, be open to God’s lead, and have faith.

4. RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

Responsibility and accountability are two of the most important traits of a Christian entrepreneur. A Christian business owner is accountable to God for how they operate their business and should be mindful of this fact.

As God’s steward, you’re responsible for your actions and how you use the resources that have been given to you. One of the things you should think about when starting a business is how you will hold yourself accountable.

We are all human and prone to making bad decisions, that’s why you need some ways to stay responsible and accountable. The Bible tells us in Romans 14:12 “So each of us will give account of himself to God.” This verse should be front and center of your mind if you want to do business God’s way.

When you know you’re accountable to God for your actions, it inspires you to do the right thing whether or not it is convenient. Knowing I am merely a steward of my business motivates me to run my business with godly business principles. Since I want God to be pleased with me at the end of the day, I strive to honor him in whatever I do.

Starting a business God’s way is the first step to being responsible and accountable, but it doesn’t stop there. You must continue to hold yourself accountable as you grow your business.

5. WILLINGNESS TO WORK HARD

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

There are days when I miss being an employee because being a business owner is harder than being an employee. Don’t get me wrong, some jobs are very hard (like nursing), but at the end of the day, you clock out and that’s it.

Entrepreneurs never clock out because they are responsible for the success of their businesses. They make all the decisions and they bear the cost of those decisions.

To be a successful entrepreneur, you must be willing to work hard especially at the beginning when there’s little or no reward. As Christians, we are told to work heartily as unto the Lord, so one of the rules that should guide you when starting a business is a willingness to work hard.

Ephesians 6:7 tells us to “Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men.” What does this mean for your business? It means you should be prepared to serve your customers and everyone that comes your way. It means if you want to start a business God’s way, you must be prepared to be a servant and a vessel for God to use.

A faithful servant is diligent, doing the will of his master.

6. BE DECISIVE AND ACTION-ORIENTED

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you should be known not only by your words but by your fruits and actions as the Bible says in Matthew 7:16.

If you’re serious about starting a business God’s way, you have to be decisive and action-oriented. You must have the discipline to take action and execute your decisions. You can’t claim to have faith if you don’t act because you’re unwilling to fail.

Being decisive and action-oriented requires courage and boldness, but remember you have not been given a spirit of fear. That fact should encourage and motivate you to act.

So resolve in advance that you will be decisive and action-oriented. That you will not waver even in the face of adversity because the Lord is with you.

The first step to becoming action-oriented is to have a clear sense of direction, that’s why having a plan and setting clear goals and targets is very important as a business owner.

Finally, you need self-discipline to take action. Self-discipline allows you to do what others refuse to do, so put yourself under control and continue to march toward your purpose.

Closing thoughts on Starting a Business God’s Way: 6 Simple Rules to Guide You

It’s possible to start a business God’s way as long as you are intentional and have a guide to lead you. The six rules in this post should serve as a helpful guide if you’re seeking God to start a business.

So step out in faith, be decisive, and be willing to work hard. Above all, remember you’re accountable to God and make God’s business principles the center of your business.

Are you in the process of starting a Christian business? Here are the rules again.

Simple Rules for Starting a business God’s way

A firm commitment to biblical entrepreneurship
Have a detailed Christian business plan
Prayer and faith
Responsibility and accountability
Willingness to work hard
Be decisive and action-oriented