How Entrepreneurship Can Help in the Pursuit of Christian Perfection
‘’So … whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God’’ (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The pursuit of Christian perfection has been a central theme in the lives of believers for centuries. It is the aspiration to reach a state of spiritual maturity and holiness that enables us to live a life fully committed to God and His purposes. While prayer, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines are important ways we allow God to help us reach holiness, entrepreneurship can help as well.
Entrepreneurship offers an opportunity for Christians to use their skills, talents, and resources in service to God by creating a business that positively impacts society. This approach is grounded in faith-based principles that emphasize honesty, integrity, excellence, and stewardship. By applying these values to business practices, Christian entrepreneurs can build enterprises that reflect our commitment to Christ.
However, achieving Christian perfection through entrepreneurship requires more than running a successful business. It also involves balancing material success with spiritual growth by prioritizing one’s relationship with God over financial gain, using profits from entrepreneurial endeavors to support charitable causes, and investing time in personal spiritual development.
Ultimately, serving others through entrepreneurial endeavors is the key to achieving Christian perfection as an entrepreneur. By creating products or services that meet people’s needs and improve their quality of life, Christian entrepreneurs can fulfill their calling as servants of God while building a sustainable business.
A Faith-Based Approach to Business
The faith-based approach to entrepreneurship has gained popularity in recent times. This approach involves incorporating religious beliefs and values into business practices and creating a business environment that promotes ethical behavior, honesty, and integrity.
The faith-based approach to business is based on the belief that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance for all decisions we make. Entrepreneurs who adopt this approach seek divine guidance in all aspects of their business operations, from hiring employees to setting prices for their products or services. By doing so, they also create a culture of mutual respect and trust within their organization.
This approach emphasizes the importance of treating employees fairly and justly. Christian entrepreneurs recognize that their employees are not only valuable assets but also fellow human beings created in God’s image. Therefore, they strive to create an environment where employees feel valued and appreciated for their contributions to the organization’s success.
In addition to treating employees well, Christian entrepreneurs who adopt this approach seek opportunities to give back to society through charitable works or community service projects. They recognize that they have been blessed with resources and skills that enable them to make a positive impact on others’ lives.
Moreover, faith-based entrepreneurs understand the importance of maintaining high ethical standards in all aspects of their operations. They believe that honesty and integrity are critical components of building long-term relationships with customers and suppliers alike.
Balancing Material Success With Spiritual Growth
As an entrepreneur, it is easy to become consumed with the pursuit of material success. The desire for financial gain can be all-consuming, and it is easy to neglect spiritual growth in the process. However, achieving Christian perfection means balancing material success with spiritual growth. This balance requires a delicate dance between the two realms, where one must not overpower the other. At times, it may seem impossible to strike this balance, but as Christians, we are called to live a life of purpose and meaning beyond accumulating wealth.
The key to balancing material success and spiritual growth lies in recognizing that they are not mutually exclusive but can be complementary. As entrepreneurs, we have been blessed with talents and skills that allow us to create value in the world through our work. When we focus on material success without considering how our work can benefit others or serve a greater purpose, we miss out on opportunities for spiritual growth.
One way entrepreneurs can balance their pursuit of material success with spiritual growth is by creating businesses that align with their values and beliefs. They can use their platform as business owners to make a positive impact on their community or even the world at large.
Another way entrepreneurs can balance their pursuit of material success with spiritual growth is by making time for prayer and reflection each day. This practice helps them stay grounded in their faith and reminds them of what truly matters.
Ultimately, achieving Christian perfection through work as an entrepreneur requires a deep understanding of one's purpose in life beyond just financial gain. It requires living a life guided by faith where every decision is made by considering how it aligns with one’s values and beliefs.
Serving Others Through Entrepreneurial Endeavors
As a Christian entrepreneur, it is important to focus not only on personal success but also on service, using one’s skills and resources to create products or services that benefit society. For example, an entrepreneur may start a company that provides affordable housing for low-income families or develops technology that improves access to health care in underserved communities. By prioritizing the needs of others, entrepreneurs can make a positive impact on the world while achieving financial success.
What’s more, by starting a business and hiring employees, entrepreneurs not only provide people with income but also with the purpose and dignity of work. Businesses also stimulate economic growth in their communities by providing goods and services that meet local needs. For instance, an entrepreneur who starts a grocery store in an area without easy access to fresh produce could improve the health outcomes of residents while creating jobs for local workers.
Another way that Christian entrepreneurs can serve others is by donating a portion of profits to charitable organizations or volunteering time and resources to community projects. For example, an entrepreneur who runs a successful restaurant chain could partner with local food banks to provide meals for people in need or sponsor events that promote wellness and healthy living.
Ultimately, serving others through entrepreneurial endeavors requires a mindset shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40), which includes using our entrepreneurial talents to benefit the people around us. Instead of solely focusing on personal gain, Christian entrepreneurs must consider how their work can benefit the greater good. This means being intentional about identifying community needs and developing solutions that address them in meaningful ways.
Entrepreneurs who prioritize their faith in their business practices are more likely to experience success that aligns with their values and beliefs. Balancing material success with spiritual growth involves recognizing the importance of both financial prosperity and personal development. And, serving others through entrepreneurial endeavors allows entrepreneurs to use their skills and resources to make a positive impact.
By integrating these principles into their work as entrepreneurs, Christians can achieve a sense of purpose and fulfillment that goes beyond financial gain. They can use their business as a vehicle for spreading love, compassion, and generosity.
Glory Enyinnaya is a convert who joined the Catholic Church in 2009 (providentially, it was the Year of St. Paul—arguably Christianity’s most famous convert). Even though she entered the church under St. Paul’s patronage, it’s Our Lady who has had the strongest influence on Glory, beginning with her choice of “Mary” as her baptismal name. Today, she’s consecrated to Mary according to the de Montfort Way and serves as an official of the Legion of Mary in her comitium. In the workplace, Glory currently runs her own consulting company, Kleos Advisory Africa, and will soon be receiving her Ph.D. in Management. She’s single, and her hobbies include blogging at www.gloryenyinnaya.com.