In 2 Cor. 6: 14 (NIV), Paul states: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
God wants Believers to be “equally yoked” and not “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. But does this apply to Christian business?
Unfortunately, many Christians think this verse only pertains to finding a marriage partner and then form business partnerships with the world.
The Small Business Administration tells us that over 650,000 businesses are started in the US every year. Of these new businesses, 80% will fail in their first three years and only 9% will make it beyond five years!
Although it’s impossible to tell, I have to believe that a “few” of these might have been Christian businesses.
Why Does a Christian Business Fail?
There are a number of answers to this question that will be addressed in coming posts, but the main one we’re addressing here is being “unequally yoked”. As mentioned above, God wants His people to be “equally yoked” in ALL things, especially involving the stewardship of His resources.
I’ve watched fellow Christians enter into promising business partnerships with non-believers, only to suffer major loss at a later date. I thought about these failures for many years and wondered why they had occurred. As in many things we ponder over time, the answer suddenly “hit me” one day while studying His Word. The answer was simple.
In each case, these Christian businesses had been “unequally yoked”. God had answered my question concerning business failures, but then gave me the inspiration to ask another question. “Why don’t Christian investors and entrepreneurs to consciously seek each other out?”
Just as stated in Prov. 13:20 “…iron sharpens iron…”, I believe that Christians helping Christians in the startup stages of a business can help lay a solid foundation resulting in Godly stewardship of all corporate assets.
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This includes planning, capitalization, budgets, staffing, facilities, products/services development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, distribution, etc.
As a Christian business, we are to obey Him by acknowledging the following:
1 Chron. 29:11 “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord”
We know that God will hold us accountable in the stewardship of all of the resources He has given us, large and small.
How Should a Christian Business Proceed?
As in any major decision, especially involving finances, Christians should only proceed after following these steps:
- Prayer – Seek God’s guidance though daily prayer;
- Studying His Word – John 1:3 “…and the Word was God.” Allow God to speak to you through His Word.
- Seeking wise counsel – Prov. 12:15 “…But a wise man is he who listens to counsel”.
- Asking a simple question – “Do I see God’s Hand in action?” Is God opening doors, such as bringing His people into your life as potential partners or by overcoming potential obstacles?
If God has called you to start a business, He has blessed you! He is there to guide you, equip you, encourage you, and to provide resources you need. Let Him be your CEO!
He will also form relationships with fellow Believers in terms of co-founders, financiers, suppliers, employees, advisors, mentors, coaches, etc. When God wants you to succeed and you’re obedient to Him, how can you fail?
This is a guest post by Bill Murray, founder of the Christian Angel Capital Network. We are in the pre-launch stage of an online service that will match Christian angel investors with Christian entrepreneurs. We think of our service as “where eHarmony meets the Sharktank for Christians!”. Our current website is a blog and we welcome all comments, ideas, critique and of course, prayers. Find us at http://christianangelinvestors.com
Side Note From Jason
Readers – what do you think!? Is business partnership with a non-Christian wrong? Should Christians view those relationships as opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ?
Let’s hear your thoughts!
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with the theological premise there of a partner in business (mostly). I would hate to see a Christian business expand this principle to all suppliers, employees, consultants, etc. You could miss out on reaching out to someone and using your business platform to share about Jesus. AND you could miss out on using a reputable supplier or employees that will launch your business into the next level. Just because someone has a christian business or is a Christian businessperson does not mean they are any good. I have seen a few Christian businesses fail because they did not use better suppliers/employees and fail at reaching out to other businesses because they went into a shell. So be careful of carrying this principle into every aspect of your business. As you could miss opportunities to be profitable and miss opportunities to bring others into the fold.
.-= Ted @broketofree´s last blog ..Anxiety =-.
I agree with Ted as Christians I believe we want to be obedient but not so strict as to avoid or miss a chance to influence a non- believer. It’s my interpretation that the verses say to not enter into a partnership where the non believer has decision making power or influence. That is to say its OK to do business with people that aren’t Christian just don’t legally partner(marriage)with them. Another way to prevent trouble is to have solid core values that drive all decision making for the organization or partnership. After all isn’t our business or profession really our calling for the time we’re in it?
Ted,
Thank you for comment! You are so right about missing out on opportunities by being inflexible. In fact, how we conduct business on a daily basis is one of the strongest witnesses we can have to the world for Christ. My caution, posted above, primarily pertains to entering into parnerships with unbelievers. Christians shouldn’t swim with “sharks” or let “rattlesnakes” into their sleeping bag and complaint when they get bit.
By following the steps of prayer, studying God’s Word, and seeking wise counsel among Believers, we’ll be guided into the right direction in all areas.
Have a blessed day!
Bill Murray
.-= Bill Murray´s last blog ..What is Due Diligence? =-.
The following sermon from John Piper (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2005/206_When_Is_It_Right_to_Repay_Evil_With_Pain/) really impacted my views on Christian businesses and other Christian organizations.
If you haven’t spent much time going through Piper’s reserouces at desiringgod.org I strongly recommend it.
.-= 20smoney´s last blog ..Americans Get Their Economic Views From Headlines =-.
20s Money – thanks for that resource – it’s always good to hear from some fellow Piper fans!
I’ll check out that sermon!
You have a fine point, but how can anyone talk about this when the Gulf is drenched in crude oil!?
The simple answer is no. If we’re not already in a partnership with an unbeliever we should not enter into one. What if you’re already in the partnership though? Should you walk away? Should you stay? For me, this is where the simple no becomes a little less simple. I’m exploring these thoughts in a current series I am writing which asks three basic questions about being yoked together.#1 Should Christians enter into a partnership with an unbeliever?#2 What should Christians do if they are already in a partnership with an unbeliever?#3 Paul tells us not to be unequally yoked together which begs the question, “What does it mean to be equally yoked?”Becoming yoked together with an unbeliever as a form of witnessing is filled with danger. I’ve seen many people date or marry thinking this same thing, but rarely do I see it happen.
Consider what instructions the Apostle gave to women that become believers after already marrying an unbeliever. He states that women should not divorce, but lead a life worthy of praise that their husbands would be converted through their humbleness and submission. This would apply also to business partnerships that are already entered into. Is it the best situation? No. But that doesn’t mean God won’t work through it.
Evan, that’s a great point. Trusting in stillness sometimes to see what God does is difficult, but worthwhile.
Evan, that’s a great point. Trusting in stillness sometimes to see what God does is difficult, but worthwhile.
Jason
What a great page, could I ask you summit huge. Im a .com start up heard the audible voice of the Lord with regards the business and am looking for a partner and some angel funding for that partnership and obviously 2Cor6vs14f ONLY. My mail address is thrace@vodamail.co.za. This will be the world’s biggest rugby brand. Bless you