Growing Your Small Business for the Glory of God

I am a Christian. This is something I typically make very clear in my web copy and other literature, and from time to time, I like to do a blog post that rests heavily on that perspective (see this one and this one).

My love for Jesus Christ compels me to do the best I possibly can in all matters and area of life, and my business is no exception!

I believe that whatever we offer up to Him and give Him the glory for, He will help us with! I’m not the only one who takes this position either.

Well respected individuals like Michael Hyatt, Dave Ramsey, and Ray Edwards, to name a few, also are very clear and up-front about their faith.

In fact, this article by Ray Edwards gives a bit of his rationale for doing this. His argument, which I identify and agree with, is that the Lord Jesus is actually the secret to his success! This, of course, is not to say that he is only a follower of Jesus for this reason–if that were true, I doubt the Lord would bless it in the first place.

I don’t agree with all of Ray’s theology, but the Bible definitely admonishes us to do EVERYTHING as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” If we will hear and do what is instructed in that verse, I believe God will bring glory to Himself, even as He works in and through your business.

I am about to give you three short, simple steps you can take to start moving your business in this direction. Now, you may already be doing these things in some form. But, perhaps it lacks intentionality, and you only think to do them when the work is drying up or the bank account is getting low?

If that’s you, I want to encourage you to be more intentional than ever about this. By the way, I’m preaching to myself here as well. I’m writing this because I need to hear it and do it too!

Here are three steps we can all take today to start really glorifying God in our businesses:

Step 1. Seek His Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

For the business owner who is really interested in what God says about how to conduct yourself in business, I recommend reading through the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes quite often. It’s no secret that King Solomon knew his stuff, and the Lord directed him to write some powerful nuggets of wisdom on this subject matter. God tells us in Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” As a Christian, why on earth would you “lean on your own understanding” (see Proverbs 3:5) in such an important area of life when God is willing and able to go alongside you and help you? It would be quite a mistake to leave God out of your business plans.

Step 2. Heed His Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:13 — “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

It does not do much good to pray and ask God for wisdom and direction if you do not heed the wisdom and direction when He gives it! The Spirit “guides us to all truth” (John 16:13) and speaks to our hearts in a very direct, personal way. Though it is grounded in the authority of Scripture, our relationship to God is actually very personal. Your life experience is going to be much different from mine, so naturally, the Lord may lead you to do something entirely different in your business than mine. And that’s okay! The point is, be willing to listen when the Spirit guides you.

Step 3. Follow His Leading

James 1:22 — “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Finally, don’t just hear what He has to say, do it! You know, you can read books all day long–but if you don’t act on the knowledge you gain by reading, what good has it really done? The same is true both of Bible reading and prayer time! When the Spirit of God speaks to your heart and teaches you through His Word, it’s for a purpose! God always desires action, according to James 1:22. The admonishment is that we not simply pay ear service to God and His Word, but that we act on it mightily, joyfully, and to the best of our ability.

[bctt tweet=”My love for Jesus Christ compels me to do the best I possibly can in all matters and area of life, and my business is no exception!” username=”northmacsvc”]

It is a tragic thing not to include the God of all glory into your professional life. Invite Him into the conference room. Invite Him into the office with you.

Let God be the majority influence in your business–it will be so much better for it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Discussion Question: What changes has your business experienced since giving God the driver’s seat? Let us know in the comments below!