10 Bible Verses on Starting a New Business
The world is still in short supply of Christian business leaders and entrepreneurs. This article is an encouragement for starting new businesses. Not just that, but also the assistance we are meant to provide for the hurting world. The common name for what we do as entrepreneurs is Business. But for the Christian entrepreneur, business is more than making money. Business is our divine calling. It is serving God’s purpose for His creation, though in the process, we make money. So, every new business should be founded in God.
One of the many struggles we go through is having the courage to start. The other is fear – fear of failing, fear of the unknown, fear of criticism, fear of harsh business climate, and even fear of success (ironically). Without pretense, fear is real and common to all. Struggles and fears are only proof that we are human. Fear is worth noting as a normal response to starting a business but not worth indulging in because this has kept many paralyzed and tossed around for too long. We need to see fear as a motivation to succeed because our breakthrough lies on the other side of fear.
Having said all the above, I am sharing with you below Bible verses that speak to you about starting a new business. Please don’t just read; ensure you understand some business management tools and principles they convey. You won’t just be starting a new business, but starting it in God’s way.
1. Business ideation
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8 KJV)
The first step in starting a new business is having a business idea/insight from God. This is important because you need to know what you are called to do – the solution you are bringing to meet the needs in the market.
2. Faith and Courage
“Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)” – Hebrews 11:1 (AMP).
When your senses tell you “it’s not doable”, faith sees it done. Without exercising your faith, you may not rise to the call. It takes good courage to conquer fears and struggles. Faith is the vehicle that takes you from your present to your desired future. It is a very potent business tool for the Christian entrepreneur. Faith gives you the courage to keep on despite opposition.
3. Write the Vision
“Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly” – Habakkuk 2:2 (GW).
You must write down where the business is headed. This is not just for you but for all those who will come to be part of the business. Vision drives the passion for doing business.
4. Research
17“. . . After you go through the Southern Desert of Canaan, continue north into the hill country 18and find out what those regions are like. Be sure to remember how many people live there, how strong they are, 19and if they live in open towns or walled cities. See if the land is good for growing crops and find out what kinds of trees grow there. It’s time for grapes to ripen, so try to bring back some of the fruit that grows there” – Numbers 13:17-19 (CEV).
The research will open your eyes to the opportunities and threats that exist, for or against your new business, and help you to adopt strategies to navigate through. See how detailed Moses was in researching a city they were about to possess. Each of those details is an action point for him in the journey.
5. Planning
28“If one of you is planning to build a tower, you sit down first and figure out what it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job” - Luke 14:28 (GNB).
Planning is determining the course of the business in advance. It goes to set out what is to be done, when, how, and who will do it. Business goals and objectives are achieved through planning. Planning is a thinking process. It is not a one-time activity. Situations may demand planning and replanning.
6. Investment
“I can guarantee this truth: A single grain of wheat doesn’t produce anything unless it is planted in the ground and dies. If it dies, it will produce a lot of grain” - John 12:24 (GW).
The only way of becoming wealthy is by investing your resources. What you do not invest in does not increase. Going into business is for the purpose of investment. Never forget that you need God’s help to make wise investments.
7. Building a Team
“Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively” – Ecclesiastes 4:9 (GNB).
It is almost impossible to work alone in a business. You need a team with different skill sets to work with. A team is not some people working together but people who are aligned with the vision and trust themselves to achieve a common goal. When people work together, they can multiply their outputs.
8. Decision Making
5“Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. 6. . . and he will show you the right way” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (GNB).
Humans are limited in knowledge. You just have to let God fill you with His wisdom so that you can get it right all the time. The difference between right and wrong decisions is like a thin line.
9. Marketing and Sales
“Listen! Whoever is thirsty, come to the water! Whoever has no money can come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk. You don’t have to pay; it’s free!” – Isaiah 55:1 (GW).
Marketing is all about persuading people who need your solution to come and buy. Sales then happen when they are fully convinced. Learn from this scripture the persuasive strategy and added value of free offers.
10. Dedicate your Business to God
“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth . . .” - Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV).
The power to succeed is with God. Business success is never a linear journey up there. You must then commit all to the hands of God, who gives you the power (ideas, insights, wisdom, strategy, knowledge) to get wealth.
The world will marvel at the uncommon growth your business will experience if you follow scriptures.