Bible verses about business emphasize integrity, diligence, and generosity. Key verses like Proverbs 16:3, Colossians 3:23-24, and Proverbs 22:29 highlight the importance of committing your work to God, working with all your heart, and being skilled in your endeavors for business success.
Have you wondered if there are any helpful guidelines in the Bible for business success? As a Christian business owner, you may feel conflicted in pursuing business interest while also following God. However, the Bible is the source of wisdom and it actually covers the fundamental principles to grow your business.
In this article, we will be talking about:
- What Is A Christian Business?
- Christian Businesses VS. Secular Businesses
- Does Loving God Guarantee Success In Business?
- Do Secular Approaches Guarantee Success In Business?
- Christian Business Success Step 1: Connect
- Christian Business Success Step 2: Convert
- Christian Business Success Step 3: Close
- Christian Business Success Step 4: Delight
- Examples Of Successful Christian Businesses
- Bible Verses About Business
- Bible Verses About Business Success
Let’s get into it!
What Is A Christian Business?
A Christian Business is any company founded by Christians whose main goal is to glorify God while pursuing the business’s mission.
Christian business can offer any products or services that do not contradict Christian values or the Bible. Some Examples may be retail, restaurants, medical businesses, or high-tech enterprises.
Many people refer to Christian business as “Marketplace Ministries”.
Let’s get into some of the primary differences between Christian businesses and secular businesses.
Christian Businesses VS. Secular Businesses
What are the key differences between Christian business and Secular business? A secular business is primarily driven by pursuing profits. While many Christian businesses can be highly profitable, the bottom line is not the ultimate goal for Christian Business owners.
The number 1 goal for a Christian business is to glorify God through the daily operation of the business, even if it means lower profits.
Sometimes secular business and Christian businesses can be hard to tell apart. Both types of businesses have strategic missions, visions, and corporate values. At the end of day, the key difference is if a business is managed by Christians and if their staff puts God first in their decision making.
Romans 8:28 says,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
You may pray about your business success but God may or may not answer your prayer.
God cares about YOU more than your business. God loved you and gave his only son to have a relationship with you. Before asking God for business success, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I love God more than my business?
- Would I sacrifice business success or profits if God asked me to?
- Is my business an idol (something you put above God)?
Loving God means putting Him first in all aspects of your life, including your family life, career, and running a business. It means you will seek His guidance and direction in all you do.
I can relate to the struggle between Christian Business and idolizing business success. While failing in a business deal, I asked, “God, Why me? Why do you let non-believers thrive and watch me fail?”
Then God gave me the verse mentioned earlier from Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
I was shocked at how God answered my prayer. Then I went on praying, “God, I am sorry that I don’t love you. I want to know why. I want to love you. Can you help me?”
God showed me that I had been loving other things – idols like wealth, power, self-esteem, and business success. And those things were getting in the way of my relationship with God.
But if we truly love Him, we then cultivate our relationship with Him. His Holy Spirit will guide us to reorganize our priorities. We will then glorify God first, and put God’s Kingdom first.
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Does Loving God Guarantee Success In Business?
If your definition of “success” means being a rich and powerful business owner, then God loving God does NOT guarantee success. If you put business above God, God sees even the most successful business as a failure.
But if you love God and your relationship with Him isn’t compromised by business success, then you can certainly be successful in your relationship with God, & your business dealing.
Matthew 25: 29 says,
“For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
Daniel 2:21 says,
“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
Even the most powerful and wealthy people are subject to God. You cannot fully guarantee whether or not you will have business success.
One of the richest men in the Bible, Job, said it this way after all of his wealth was stolen from him,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.[a]
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
The only Success that the Bible guarantees is whether or not you will choose to have a relationship with God above everything else.
In Proverbs 21:1, in the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels towards all who please him.
Do Secular Approaches Guarantee Success In Business?
Even if you take matters into your own hands and try to create a successful business without God, there are still no guarantees that you will have success in business.
In a world that is focused on relative truth, the pursuit of “success” is founded on lies.
There is no absolute truth in our fallen world, so there is no way to get true success because there is no way to define “success” that is true. (The Bible defines true success as living a life in relationship with God and that glorifies God.)
The book The Law Of Success is intended to be the ultimate guide to achieving success in this life. Napoleon Hill, the author of the book, spent 540 pages going through every success strategy imaginable. The only problem is that Napoleon is unable to define what success actually is. He says, “Success, no matter what may be one’s conception of that term…”
It is impossible to accomplish success without God because there is no success without God.
Of course, it is possible to use monetary success from your business to honor God. In the next section, I will introduce a 4-step framework that will help you grow your Christian business.
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Christian Business Success Step 1: Connect
In order to grow, businesses need to go out to the places where potential customers are. With the aid of digital media, many businesses find their customers online.
If you offer high-priced items or service, you may need to qualify the customers, making sure you are talking to the right people. Identifying your customer also includes matching their needs with your offerings, and discovering their purchase timelines.
In order to connect with your potential customers, you have to know who your target audience is.
In the Bible, Jesus knew where his target audience was.
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.” (Luke 5: 1-4)
In this Bible verse, Jesus not only goes to the town where his future disciples are, but he actually invites himself right into their boat. Jesus knew where his audience was and he went to them. This is the process of Connecting.
Example: Attending trade shows is still effective for some businesses. A tradeshow is an exhibition (expo) usually organized by a third party show organizer or an industry association. It features multiple businesses in a certain category.
You can also connect with your target audience on social media, through Digital Advertising, search engines, and through content (like this blog).
But what do we do once we connect with our target audience?
Christian Business Success Step 2: Convert
Now you enter the second stage, which is to build trust and credibility through trial services, tours, samples, or high-level (strategy) consulting. The key is to provide value for your customers in exchange for contact information.
In the Bible, when Jesus met Peter, he found out Simon had been struggling to catch fish. This meant that Peter had a problem, and Jesus was going to help solve it. Solving problems for potential prospects will help to build trust with them.
Luke 5:4-7 says,
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.”
In order to convert your customers you provide them with something they find valuable in exchange for contact information and their permission for future communication.
This can be a free ebook, strategy call, tour, product demo, free trial, coupon code, etc.
Once we have Connected with our target audience and converted them by getting contact information, it’s time to close the deal.
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Christian Business Success Step 3: Close
This is where you ask the customer to seal the deal. Signing the first purchase agreement is a big milestone. In ecommerce business, it is to offer incentives for your customers to make the payment and complete checkout.
We also see Jesus asking for high level commitment in the New Testament as well.
Jesus shared the gospel and asked his listener (Peter) to become his followers. This was a high commitment close. It required Peter to leave everything and follow Christ.
“…Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
Similarly, a Christian needs to publicly confess their belief and commitment to follow Jesus above everything else.
When you have gone out and connected with your target audience, and you have gotten contact information, it’s time to close the deal. This means continuing to build trust through meeting needs, and then asking for the sale.
If your target audience believes that you will meet their needs, they will accept your call to action.
Christian Business Success Step 4: Delight
If all your customers only purchase once, then you have to keep finding new ones. The cost of acquiring new customers can be high. It is usually more cost effective to retain existing customers than acquiring new ones.
Customers have different types of needs. There are tangible needs and also intangible needs. The basic requirement to retain customers is to meet their tangible needs, such as physical or financial needs. However, the key to delight customers is also to meet their emotional and spiritual needs.
When meeting customers’ emotional and spiritual needs, your offering redefines your customer and gives them a new identity. Then customers will be extremely happy, and become your brand evangelist. Yes, your customers will sell on your behalf when you continue to provide them value.
In the Bible, Jesus met the different needs of his disciples. While their physical needs were met, they decided to follow Jesus. When their emotional and spiritual needs were met, He encouraged his disciple to spread the gospel.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”
When your customers feel their emotional and spiritual needs are met, you successfully include them as “one of us”. For example, when their suggestions are considered and materialized in your next product launch, they feel belonging: a part of the team and a large mission. Your client will voluntarily join your team to sell on your behalf.
Jesus never stopped showing love to his followers. While spreading the Gospel, his followers witnessed the changes in their lives and others’. Paul also talked about bearing spiritual fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Tesla’s success exemplifies the power of Delight. Tesla does not advertise on TV or other mainstream media. But Tesla owners are more than willing to share the good news to their neighbors.
Tesla meets buyers physical needs, which is a transportation vehicle from point A to point B; Tesla meets emotional needs. It is cool, futuristic looking and super fast; Tesla meets financial needs. Its design and quality makes the most out of your money. Plus, your total cost of owning a Tesla in its whole lifespan is lower than other autos.
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Examples Of Successful Christian Businesses
Now you get the picture. This 4-step framework is a winning formula for many businesses. Let’s explore some examples of Successful Christian Businesses.
Chick-fil-a is one of the more successful fast food chains in America. They do not open on Sunday. Their staff gets to worship God and spend more time with their families. Chick-fil-a also offers scholarships for their employees so that they have the financial power to pursue college education.
Clickmill is also a Christian business. Our culture focuses on win-win solutions by offering exceptional values. It is our leaders’ mission to develop discipleship with our staff and customers.
At our website, you can find many how-to blogs and videos in Christian missionaries. Then we encourage you to have a strategy consultation call with us. Most of our services are customized for your case.
Bible Verses About God Making A Way
- Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:19 – “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.”
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Bible Verses About Skill
- Proverbs 22:29 – “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”
- Matthew 25:14-15 – “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”
- Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
- Proverbs 22:29 – “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”
Bible Verses About Diligence
- Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
- Proverbs 27:23 – “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.”
- Proverbs 12:24 – “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
- Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.'”
- Psalm 128:2 – “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
- Ecclesiastes 11:4 – “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”
Bible Verses About Greed
- Luke 12:15 – “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
- 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
- Ecclesiastes 11:6 – “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”
- Proverbs 10:4 – “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
- Proverbs 14:23 – “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Bible Verses About Integrity
- Proverbs 11:1 – “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”
- Proverbs 16:8 – “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.”
- Proverbs 13:11 – “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
- Proverbs 22:16 – “One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.”
- Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
- Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
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Bible Verses About Generosity
- Psalm 112:5 – “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
- Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
- Deuteronomy 15:10 – “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
- Proverbs 13:22 – “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
Bible Verses About Abundance
- Proverbs 27:27 – “You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.”
- Deuteronomy 28:12 – “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”
- Proverbs 28:19 – “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.”
- Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Bible Verses About Putting God First
- Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
- Deuteronomy 8:18 – “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
- Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
- Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
- Psalm 90:17 – “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
To sum up this post on bible verses about business and bible verses about business success, whether you’re a believer or not, there is no guarantee of wealth or business success.
So the real question is: why do you care so much about success, wealth, or power? They do not bring you happiness or fulfillment. The true meaning of life and ultimate success is knowing and loving God. If you like to learn more Bible principles for business, you may want to read our post: Bible Verses About Success: 20 Best Bible Verses For Business Success.
So what do you think of the 4-Step approach? Can you find more examples in the Bible for its implementation? Let us know in the comments below!
Responses
This really helps me a lot I’m grateful and pray I over come in Jesus mighty name amen
Let us know what other content you would like us to put out in the future!
All Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Hi Brett my personal mentor. I’m here in church reading this for the second time at a more private part of the church. The same place where I read it for the first time. I’ve gotten more clarity about the program and system you instill and I’m 100% sure it’s from our Higher Power. As an intern of yours I feel truly blessed that God linked us together. I pray in Jesus’ Name that through Christ you continue to bless others around the world. Amen!
Hey Arquie!, It’s already been such a pleasure having you on our team and I’m so glad you love the article. I’ll be excited to get you designing and publishing courses next week and start developing the skills you can use to grow your business! How about we start you with a course on how to have Godly success, seeing as how you like this article so much? I feel confident God has you on our team for a powerful purpose!
For anyone else reading this, if you’re looking for advanced training to develop your Christian Ministry and Entrepreneurial skills, we have a 6-Month Internship & a Clickmill Training Program that give you live access to the best training you will find anywhere for high-performance believers. Arquie, myself, and the rest of the Clickmill team hope to see you on the inside as we take on the business and ministry world for Christ!
Hi Brett I will be glad for you to my mentor .I’m a Christian and an entrepreneur but I finding it for my business to grow for so many years now. I really need your help and teaching.
Please check out our training subscription where you get access to our courses on Christian business & Ministry growth. I would love to see you in our weekly call and live trainings! You can see it here.
Thank you very much for all you do and in doing GOD’s work for His greater glory. GOD bless us all.
Thanks for this. I hope you can recommend or make devotionals for christian entrepreneurs…
Hey there Eya, We actually have something better for you! We have a Free 5-day Bible Study about Biblical Growth that will teach you how to grow your Christian business (or ministry) the way Jesus grew his in the New Testament. Not only that, it comes with three other courses on ministry growth, eBooks, community chat groups, access to our team, and more. Check it out at this link.
Thanks for the great work/Ministry. I feel more stable and now I’m looking toward ministry-oriented and soul-winning profit/business rather than just monetary profit. Bible verses included here play a vital role in strengthening the views.
Thanks so much for your comment. I hope God blesses your business ventures as you submit them to His good perfect and pleasing Will!
The four step approach has blessed me.
Thank you
Thanks for you comment Kenneth. I’m glad to hear you have enjoyed the article!
This sermon about success business is removing my Barden and I really bless.
We are so glad this sermon is lifting your burden and bringing you blessings. It’s amazing how the right message can come at just the right time. Let us know what you would like us to write about in the future. God bless!!
thank you for this, I was feeling so empty today and searching for answers ,especially on my business! feeling like I being spread thin and I am missing something
came across this blog…thank you.God really answers !
We are really glad this came at the right time for you. I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re stretched thin, especially with your business. It’s amazing how God shows up just when we need it. Keep trusting you’re not alone in this. You are in our prayers. God bless you!!
Waoooo! am so glad I came across this, I was beginning to get discouraged, my business is new but penetrating market seems not easy and above all customer retention
but I feel relieved after reading this
May God richly bless you for me
Thank you for your comment Etim. We are so glad you were greatly encouraged by the article, and know that you and your business are in our prayers.
So powerful
Thank you for your comment Silethubuhle. Let us know if there are more topics you would like us to write about in the future!
I am really awed at the principles and I am definitely going to implement them and also use them as a training slide for me teachers.
Thank you so much, Chichi. I’m glad to know that the principles resonate with you. Wishing you all the best with the training, and if you ever need any support or additional insights, feel free to reach out!
Thanks so much for your comment, we hope God provides you plenty of opportunities to brin Him glory in your business endeavors.
Am in grocery retail in Zimbabwe….. this information is really helpful.. thank you so much . I will put the 4 step approach into practice
Thank you so much, Amina, for your kind words! I’m happy you found the information helpful. It’s awesome that you’re going to try out the 4-step approach in your grocery retail business in Zimbabwe. I’m sure it will make a positive impact. Feel free to reach out if you need more tips or advice. Let us know if there are more topics you would like to write about in the future!
Keep up the awesome grocery ministry you have going on in Zimbabwe, God bless!
This really helps me a lot as a newbie in business..i thank God for showing u guys in Jesus’s Name…amen.
Thanks so much for your kind words! Thanks for reading.