Christian Entrepreneurship: Building for the Covenant, Not Just the Account Balance

Jesus In Your Business

There's been a significant amount of conversation lately circulating the Christian community, especially online, about business, making money, and what it means to be a biblical entrepreneur. The terms "Christian entrepreneurship" and "biblical entrepreneurship" are everywhere. And frankly, there’s a lot of noise out there. As believers, we need to understand what the Kingdom perspective is on this, ensuring we aren't just adopting worldly business models and slapping a fish sticker on them.

This has been on my heart and mind, and on a recent prayer walk, I spent some time seeking the Lord about it, diving into a few key scriptures. I want to share what I believe is a core principle – a divine code – laid out in the Bible for us to follow. It's pretty amazing how God provides us with blueprints, not just for our spiritual lives, but for every aspect of our existence, including our work and our finances. The key, however, is understanding the purpose behind the provision.

Too often, the conversation around Christian entrepreneurship can drift towards prosperity for prosperity’s sake. We hear about building empires, generating massive wealth, and achieving financial freedom, all framed within a Christian context. While God certainly desires to bless His people, the reason for that blessing, the purpose of the wealth He gives us the power to get, is fundamentally different from the world's view. It's not primarily about personal comfort, luxury cars, or beach mansions. It's about His Kingdom. It's about the covenant.

The Business Model Jesus Modeled: More Than Just Fishing

Let's start with a powerful picture from the Gospels, one that I believe lays out a fundamental principle for us. You can find it in Luke 5:3-7. Let's read it together in the King James Version:

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing. Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both ships, so that they began to sink.

Take a moment to ponder this narrative. It’s a profound illustration of how God often operates, and it offers a crystal-clear picture of spiritual principles impacting our physical and professional lives.

Key Takeaways from Peter's Encounter

There are several critical elements in this story that provide a foundation for biblical entrepreneurship:

1.  Jesus Entered Peter's Boat: This is profoundly spiritual. Jesus, the Son of God, stepped into Peter's workplace, his business, his livelihood. This wasn't just a casual visit; it was an intentional act. For us, it means inviting Jesus into our businesses. Not just acknowledging Him in theory, but actively welcoming His presence, His guidance, and His authority into every aspect of our operations. Peter did this openly, for everyone to see. Are we willing to do the same? Is our business a place where Jesus is visibly welcomed and honored?

2.  Peter Used His Business Platform to Promote the Gospel: While Jesus was in the boat, what was He doing? He was teaching the people. Peter essentially turned his fishing vessel, his place of commerce, into a pulpit\! He used his business establishment to facilitate the spreading of the gospel during his "off hours," when he wasn't actively fishing. This is a crucial point. Biblical entrepreneurship isn't just about making money as a Christian; it's about leveraging your business, your skills, your resources for the Kingdom of God. It’s about seeing your workplace as a mission field and a platform for supernatural impact.

3.  Peter Listened to and Obeyed the Voice of Jesus: Here’s where the supernatural breakthrough occurred. Jesus told Peter to launch into the deep and let down his nets. Peter’s response is telling: "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing." He was speaking from experience, from his carnal understanding of fishing. He knew the best spots, the best times, the techniques. Based on his natural expertise, Jesus's instruction made no sense. But Peter added, "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." Obedience trumped his human reasoning. This is often where we face a challenge. Our carnal minds are "enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" [Romans 8:7]. Spiritual things require spiritual discernment [1 Corinthians 2:14]. We must learn to hear the Shepherd's voice and be willing to do what He says, even when it seems illogical or goes against conventional wisdom.

The Overflowing Blessing: Not Just for Personal Gain

Because of Peter's willingness to welcome Jesus, use his platform for the gospel, and obey a seemingly illogical instruction, God blessed his business so dramatically that he couldn't contain it himself. The nets were breaking, the boats were sinking! He had to call his partners to help. The blessing wasn't just for Peter; it overflowed to bless others.

This is a powerful illustration of God's economy. When we put Him first, when we align our businesses with His purposes, the blessings can be so abundant that we are compelled to bless others. It's not about hoarding; it's about becoming a conduit for God's provision to impact the lives of those around us and to further His work.

The Contrast: Zacchaeus vs. The Rich Young Ruler

Think back to Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler. Both had encounters with Jesus, and both had wealth. The rich young ruler, when asked to give up his possessions and follow Jesus, went away sorrowful because he loved his wealth more than the Lordship of Jesus. His treasure was on earth, not in heaven. Zacchaeus, however, upon encountering Jesus, immediately committed to giving half his goods to the poor and restoring fourfold anything he had taken dishonestly. His encounter with Jesus transformed his relationship with money.

This is the heart of the matter. When we truly encounter Jesus, when His Lordship is established in our lives, our perspective on everything changes – including our finances and our businesses. Like Zacchaeus, we recognize the superior value of the Kingdom and willingly submit our earthly resources to eternal purposes.

Seeking First the Kingdom: The Foundation

This leads us to a foundational scripture for Christian living, which absolutely applies to Christian entrepreneurship: [Matthew 6:33], "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." And verse 34 continues, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

This passage comes in the context of not worrying about material needs – food, clothing, etc. Jesus is instructing us to prioritize the spiritual, the Kingdom, over the physical. When we do that, He promises that "all these things" – our material needs – will be provided.

I often see people struggling with this in the context of ministry or Kingdom endeavors. They feel a prophetic word, a calling from the Lord to do something, but they delay because they don't have the money. They put the physical cart (finances) before the spiritual horse (God's direction). This is a manifestation of leaning on our own understanding and a lack of faith.

I've learned this through experience. There have been times the Lord has told me to do something that seemed impossible financially. My carnal mind screamed, "You can't afford that!" But I’ve learned that if the Lord tells you to do it, He will provide the means. You don't need to wait for the money to show up before you start taking the steps of obedience. Just start picking up the phone, sending the emails, taking the action He directed. Somehow, if it's His will, it will happen. As I like to say, "God's will is God's bill."

Now, this isn't a license for reckless financial behavior based on a "wicked desire" wrapped up in spiritual language. You need to have a genuine, consistent relationship with the Lord, discerning His voice from your own desires or external pressures. But if you are walking closely with Him and He gives you a clear direction, move forward in faith, trusting Him for the provision.

Deuteronomy 8:18: The Purpose of Wealth

This brings us to a pivotal verse that gets right to the heart of why God gives us the power to get wealth: [Deuteronomy 8:18]. Again, in the KJV: But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

This verse is incredibly rich and, I believe, is often misunderstood or selectively quoted in discussions about wealth. Let's break it down:

"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God": This is the starting point. We are commanded to remember God. This isn't just a passive recollection; it's an active, voluntary bringing together of our focus and attention upon Him. It's about maintaining our vertical relationship. It's also why we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together [Hebrews 10:25]. When we assemble, we remember the body of Christ, bringing the members together, just as Acts 13 describes the prophets and apostles being together when the Holy Ghost spoke.

"for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth": This is crucial. The ability to generate wealth, whether through a job, a business, investments, or any other means, originates with God. It's His gift, His enablement, His spiritual power working through us. It is not solely due to our intelligence, hard work, or clever strategies. While those things are important and God expects us to be good stewards of our talents, the ultimate power to get wealth comes from Him.

"that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day": And here is the purpose. The reason God gives us the power to get wealth is that He may establish His covenant. It is not primarily so we can establish a retirement fund, buy a bigger house, or take lavish vacations. While these things are not inherently sinful, they are not the primary reason God empowers us financially. The wealth, the resources, the supernatural provision is intended to advance God's Kingdom purposes on earth – to establish His covenant.

This is a potential danger zone for many of us. Our fleshly desires can easily hijack this truth. We can start wanting wealth for selfish pride or personal comfort, using spiritual principles as a form of witchcraft to manipulate outcomes for our own ends. Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" [Matthew 7:7]. He also says, "if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and it shall be done" [Matthew 21:21]. These are powerful promises! But we must ensure we are speaking to mountains at the Lord's direction, not just because we want the mountain moved for our convenience. We must prophesy to dry bones when God tells us to, as Ezekiel did [Ezekiel 37:1-14]. Ezekiel’s response was, "O Lord God, thou knowest." He waited for the Lord's instruction before prophesying.

We have to constantly check our vertical relationship. Are we seeking God's heart and will, or are we trying to leverage spiritual principles for selfish gain? Any self-exaltation, any impure motive, is rooted in pride – the sin of the devil himself. This is a continuous learning process, requiring us to crucify our flesh daily [Galatians 5:24].

Faith vs. Money: The Just Shall Live by Faith

The just shall live by faith [Romans 1:17], [Galatians 3:11], [Hebrews 10:38]. This is a fundamental truth of the Christian Walk. Our trust and reliance are to be in God, not in our resources. This is why money can sometimes be a problem. The more money you have, the less you feel you need faith to accomplish things. If you have enough money, you can rent the park for the event without needing a supernatural provision. You can hire the staff, buy the equipment, fund the project based on your bank balance rather than a word from God.

This is not to say money is evil; it is a tool. But it's a tool that can easily tempt us to rely on ourselves rather than God. This is precisely why we must remember Deuteronomy 8:18 – it is God who gives the power to get wealth, and the purpose is for His covenant. It keeps our focus vertical, on the Source and the intended use.

Building the Covenant Together

When we understand that wealth is for the covenant, we also understand the importance of the collective body of Christ. God often blesses the body so that the covenant can be established through the combined efforts of the members. This is why Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," not "give me my daily bread" [Matthew 6:11]. We are in a war together, building the Kingdom together.

Sometimes the wealth God entrusts to us individually is meant to flow into collective Kingdom endeavors. It's not always about starting our own ministry or putting our name on something; it's about being a faithful part of what God is doing through the wider body, contributing our resources, time, and talents to the shared mission of establishing His covenant.

Personal Reflections: Learning to Trust the Supplier

Learning these lessons has been a journey for me, marked by periods of toiling like Peter with no results until I surrendered my plan for God's. I've felt the tension between my carnal understanding and the spiritual leading of the Lord. I've had to confront my own desires and check my motives, asking myself, "Is this truly for the Kingdom, or is there an element of wanting recognition or personal gain?"

I've seen God move in truly supernatural ways when I’ve stepped out in faith based on His direction, even when the resources weren't visible. It's in those moments that your faith isn't theoretical; it's active, and you experience the reality of His provision. It strengthens your trust and deepens your relationship with Him, preparing you for the next step of obedience.

Conclusion: Wealth for the Covenant, Not the Couch

So, as we navigate the world of business and finances as Christians, let's anchor ourselves in these biblical truths. Biblical entrepreneurship is not about making money for money's sake. It's about inviting Jesus into our businesses, using our platforms to promote the gospel, listening for and obeying His prophetic voice, even when it challenges our carnal understanding, and recognizing that the power to get wealth comes from Him for the purpose of establishing His covenant.

Like Peter, when we operate according to God's blueprint and for His purposes, we may experience blessings so abundant that they overflow, enabling us to bless others and advance the Kingdom in powerful ways.

Thank you for being a part of this community and for allowing me to share these thoughts with you. If this post has touched you or challenged your perspective, please remember to share it with your friends and family. Take the link and share it on social media, via email, wherever you connect with people. Your comments and likes also help extend the reach of this message, allowing more people to hear about God's design for our lives and our work.