Bible MBASample

Putting the Cart Before the Horse    

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (Matthew 6:33 AMPC)

Starting a business is often viewed first of all as a way to make money. That is the wrong order of priorities. It is putting the cart before the horse. 

In all of our pursuits, Jesus teaches that we must have a Kingdom-first policy. He states without equivocation or ambiguity that if we approach everything this way, He guarantees that the other things we need will come as a natural by-product of seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness. 

The critical point to note is that, while taking a Kingdom-first approach guarantees profit, a profit-first approach does not guarantee that the Kingdom will be thrown in. In fact, it significantly raises the risk that the Kingdom will be completely lost. As the letter to Timothy reads, “But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. (1 Timothy 6:9 AMPC)

This might sound counterintuitive, but in thinking about the vision for your company, it is important to realize that putting money in the mix as a key outcome will more than likely lead you in the wrong direction. When we seek to walk in God's purpose, provision should be taken as given because “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMPC)

The uncomfortable question you need to answer here is, what is the number one measure of success for your business? If it is money, then it is important to wait in prayer on the Lord and ask what He meant by saying, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). ” (Matthew 6:24 AMPC)