Biblical Entrepreneurship - a Source of Well-BeingНамуна

Meditation

If we reflect on God’s vision for our life and entrepreneurial activities as discussed in the reading plan, then we have to acknowledge that there is a big divide between our world and God’s desire. As business leaders we all too often live in two worlds: the world of Babylon and the world of Jerusalem. We also realize that this is the way it is. We are broken people living in a broken world. Choices to be made in business are not simply between ‘’good’’ or ‘’bad.’’ Most of these choices are about ‘’bad’’ or ‘’less bad’’, or ‘’good’’ within the limits of what is feasible. So, it is not us human beings who build this new world. God himself does so (Isaiah 59:15-16). What is remarkable about God and his grace is that we may participate in the world that he is working on (Rev. 22:14-17). We can become participants of God’s Kingdom and the new Jerusalem via broken hearts and faith in his Son Jesus Christ (Isaiah 66:22 and Romans 5:1-2). The only question is ‘’Which city do we want to live in and work for?’’

At some point, a group of Christian entrepreneurs was asked why they invested in poor regions in Europe. For it was obviously beyond their means to change these countries and the world. These entrepreneurs responded, ‘’Our efforts won’t change the world, but God will. We are there to love the individual and to make a difference for them and for ourselves.’’ They were motivated by the love of Christ. We are not Christians because we want to celebrate great business successes. We are Christians because we are attracted to something that is bigger than ourselves. We are inspired by God and Jesus and love for people. When we unleash this love in our way of thinking, acting and doing business, others will experience God’s love. This way we can honor God and spread his good news.

I want to close off with a beautiful definition of a Christian entrepreneur, that I picked up from a good friend: A Christian entrepreneur is someone whom God has called and equipped with talents, character, and personality traits in order to co-create with God and to work on the general well-being of people, God’s justice, and God’s honor through his entrepreneurship and his company.

Question for the day

If you had to give a definition of a Christian entrepreneur, what elements or words must necessarily be used?

For more information about Christian entrepreneurship, read the book

The Jerusalem Entrepreneur: Becoming a Source of Well-Being by Wouter Droppers or contact www.europartners.org