New Venture Lab: Equipping Christian Entrepreneurs

The typical entrepreneur is in it for the money and most entrepreneurial opportunities are focused on the potential value creation, but as Christians, we need to constantly fight against that worldly wisdom and stand on the Word of God.  God is clear on what our priorities need to be and we are not to be entrepreneurs just for the money.  Yes we want to be good providers for our families, but we also have many other roles such as being good leaders and good protectors of our families.  It is up to God to prosper the work of our hands.  We need to constantly remind ourselves that our Christian life is about living out our lives according to the principles, precepts and patterns of scripture.

In Proverbs 23:4-5, we are warned specifically not to work to be rich:

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (KJV)

And in 1 Timothy 6:10-11, we are warned about the love of money:

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV)

Whenever I get my Harvard Business School bulletin and read about some my rich and famous classmates, it is easy to feel some pangs of envy and wonder how I measure up to my classmates successes by the world's standards.  At times like that, I am comforted by reading Psalm 73 where the Psalmist admits his envy over the seeming prosperity of the wicked, but in the end, he is reminded that it is good to draw near to God and declare His works and not our own:

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.  If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.  When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.  Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (KJV)

To God be the glory in all we endeavor as entrepreneurs.  May we provide well, but may we do so in a manner pleasing to God.  And may our successes be measured by Kingdom standards and not the world's standards.