The Bible and Christian Business

I am not an expert on Christian business, I have only recently began working with and launched my own. I was trying to come up with different ideas about what to write about in regards to christian business and I decided to just look up the subject of business in the Bible. When I searched Biblos I was returned with 159 scripturs containing business in them. But as I browsed some of the verses, the reference business was used in was not the same I was looking for. So I jumped over to the Lexicon on Crosswalk and here's the results on the definition for business:

So that led me to look up work, since it seemed to be more in lines of what I'm researching in the Bible - Christian business. I ran a search on the Lexicon and I also did a search on Biblos.com and came back with 1040 scriptures containing 'work.'

Now, with the Greek Lexicon, I'm getting back 27 different variations/meanings of the word work. (please see image) After browsing the definitions of the original word, I decided that the original or transliterated form of work that best applies to the kind of work I'm talking about (as in labor) is Ergazomai.

So I started going through and looking up the scriptures using the definition of work I was looking for, which was to labor or "do business." In this sense I'm applying it to Christian business. Here's what I discovered.

God likes for us to work. He wants us to work. We are all supposed do some type of work or business. That's part of His design and plan for us is for us to work or do business. God does not intend for us to be poor. He has simply outlined the laws to aviod poverty in the Bible. If you are not doing your works or business you will feel a huge gap or void in your life. One way to fill that gap is with a christian business. But don't just take my word for it - I will include some scriptures supporting my arguments:

Acts 18:3 (Amplified Bible)

³And because he was of the same occupation, he stayed with them; and they worked [together], for they were tentmakers by trade.

1 Corinthians 4:12 (Amplified Bible)

¹²And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it.

Galatians 6:10 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁰So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].

1 Thessalonians 4:11-11 (Amplified Bible)

¹¹To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you,

¹²So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (New International Version)

¹⁰For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

2 Thessalonians 3:8-14 (Amplified Bible)

⁸Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and struggle we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden or impose on any of you [for our support].

⁹[It was] not because we do not have a right [to such support], but [we wished] to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

¹⁰For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

¹¹Indeed, we hear that some among you are disorderly [that they are passing their lives in idleness, neglectful of duty], being busy with other people's affairs instead of their own and doing no work.

¹²Now we charge and exhort such persons [as ministers in Him exhorting those] in the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that they work in quietness and earn their own food and other necessities.

¹³And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right [but continue in well-doing without weakening].

¹⁴But if anyone [in the church] refuses to obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

No where in the Bible does it say the work of the Lord has to be separate from the works of this land (i.e. Business). In fact, all I see is that the Bible says we should be doing EVERYTHING unto the Lord & to the best of our ability.

If you have decided to give a christian business a try, it doesn't matter what type of business it is, you must do everything unto God. Not your family, not your customers, but to and for God. He will guide you in the direction that your business should go, should you listen and obey. The key here is to remember: Earth is not our final or eternal home.

Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible)

²³Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

John 6:27-30 (New International Version)

²⁷Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

²⁸Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

²⁹Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

³⁰So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ;-)

P.S. I added the smile

John 9:4 (Amplified Bible)

⁴We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming on, when no man can work.

Romans 4:5 (Amplified Bible)

⁵But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God).

1 Thessalonians 2:9 (Amplified Bible)

⁹For you recall our hard toil and struggles, brethren. We worked night and day [and plied our trade] in order not to be a burden to any of you [for our support] while we proclaimed the glad tidings (the Gospel) of God to you.

God promises He will reward us for our business works & for our faith in Him. He does this by prospering us. Not only monetarily but also in many other ways. When we show God our appreciation and love by prospering where we are planted, he promises to multiply our efforts and yield a crop 30, 60, or 100 fold.

Romans 4:4 (Amplified Bible)

⁴Now to a laborer, his wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation (something owed to him).

Matthew 13:8 (King James Bible) King James Bible

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Matthew 13:23 (GOD'S WORD® Translation)

But the seed planted on good ground [is the person who] hears and understands the word. This type produces crops. They produce one hundred, sixty, or thirty times as much as was planted."

Matthew 25:16 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁶He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.

If you haven't already, I think the answer to that question is a pretty simple - YES! YEAH! NO-DUH?! And why not try a Christian Home Based Business if you are looking for a Christian Business?

It's clearly outlined in the Bible that God does not want to be impoverished. Although He is maker of them all (rich & poor) I know in my heart God wants to see His people prosper and Rise to Success, like many are doing with Dani Johnson.

Dani Johnson is a Millionaire who is helping to equip thousands of people in the Business world and together they are going out and sharing the gospel and good news of Christ, setting an example, being prosperous doing it, and giving all the glory to God! And many of the people learning from her Don't Even Know they are learning Biblical Principles. You can help to plant the seed, Dani can help to fertilize the soil. And a great perk is: You don't have to be the expert - she is!

Would you like to JOIN US?