My Kids Make Business Better [8 Lies of Entrepreneurship]
Updated: Nov 12, 2021
Owning a business can either be a blessing on a family or a curse. If mom and/or dad aren’t ‘present’ because the business (bringing in money) is more important, we can have problems.
I think it’s very simple.
It’s not about how hard I work, it’s about WHO I work for. If I’m working for my family and kids, so they can have a great life, I might get stuck in the pattern of giving the business more importance and taking full control.
If, instead, I take on the mindset of working for God, I become more aware of my duties and obligations as a spouse and parent by putting the business in its rightful place: after God and family.
Here is what I pray my child sees from me and my wife as parents who are entrepreneurs:
Focus on Christ – Christ is the only one who can mold the heart fruitfully. My kids need to see me and my wife be faithful to Christ and see how He is conforming us to Himself.
Seek outside help – It’s often hard for entrepreneurs to look for help from others. Kids need to know that it’s okay not to know all the answers. They need to see us seeking out and confiding in others who can help bring answers.
Crucify our flesh – Our fleshly desires for personal satisfaction come at the expense of people around us. My kids need to see adults look to others with compassion, even if it’s inconvenient and painful.
Break old patterns – Things don’t have to be the same. My kids need a role model that removes our bad habits and focuses on Jesus and the things He has planned for our business lives.
Forgive forever – Often our hearts and love are compromised by grudges towards employees, vendors, contractors, clients and even each other as a married couple. Kids need to see us forgive and forget, willing to work on past hurts, even to the point of forgiving.
Trust in Christ – It’s easy to try meeting our own spiritual needs with “stuff” or “better circumstances.” My kids need to learn that Christ is the only one who always provides and always supports us.
Kids need to live in a loving, nurturing home with both parents working through the hardship of entrepreneurship together. Surrendered to Christ, they exemplify for their kids that owning a business is hard (just like marriage), but so, so very worth the commitment now and during the long run.
The bible says
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV)
The lie is that the kids will be better if we work harder and longer hours today in the business. The truth is my kids will be worse off if they don’t see me and my wife working together to put God first in our entrepreneurial ventures and our faith and trust in Christ and God’s provision.
God, for the good of my kids and everyone around me, I place myself and my business in Your hands now. I hold my children dear in my heart. Reveal to me how I can be a better spiritual leader to them by leading my business in Your Spirit today. Amen.