5 Business Basics from the Bible

Do you want to succeed in business as a Christian? You will need to get hold of the business basics from the bible. Your business must be founded on God’s word.

Yes, my friend, the Bible is chock full of business principles.

Sometimes we read the Bible only for comfort, prayer, worship, and Sunday encouragement. All that is good. But have you ever stopped to notice that the same Bible also speaks powerfully about work, money, diligence, honesty, increase, relationships, and stewardship?

Many Christian business people have been messed up by the world out there that they have even forgotten if the bible does indeed contain business basics.

So let us name five of them right from the start.

• Humility.
• Boldness.
• Diligence.
• Honesty.
• Patience.

What, only 5? Yes, only 5 for now, at least. Of course, there are more. I don’t want to overload you just yet. You see, the Bible has many more principles that can shape how you build, serve, sell, lead, manage, and grow in every area of your sphere. But today, my friend, let us begin with these five. Only 5.

The Bible is full of advice on how to handle money. Every business owner can and should build their business on essential principles straight from the Word of God. As you read through these Bible verses and associated principles, ask yourself where you see room for improvement in your own business dealings.

If you are a Christian and you feel called to start a business, I encourage you to begin your research in the Bible. Why?

Because if this is your calling, then it is not just a side idea. And please do not call it that lowly name, “Side Hustle”! Get into business and be serious about it. It may just be part of your life’s purpose. Seriously.

Your business must be built on a solid foundation. God’s Word is the rock. God’s Word is the anchor. If the foundation is weak, the structure will struggle and buckle when pressure comes.

And let me remind you of something powerful.

God has created you with unlimited potential. You are not empty. You are not helpless. You are not without spiritual resources. You have the mind of Christ. Yes, you do, my friend. That’s in the Bible.

That means there is wisdom inside you, waiting to be released. There is creativity inside you. There is discipline inside you. There is the ability to learn, adjust, grow, serve, and build something meaningful under God’s hand.

So let’s get started. Here are the 5 basics.

1. Humility

If you are going to get far in business, you had better embrace humility.

Why? Because, business is not only about products, services, invoices, and profits. Business is also about people. It is about customers, suppliers, partners, employees, and the relationships you build along the way.

If you lack humility, my friend, you will struggle to retain clientele. People may buy from you once, but will they trust you enough to come back? Will they feel valued? Will they feel respected?

Pride destroys relationships. And business lives or dies by relationships. The Bible says, “Too much pride will destroy you” (Proverbs 16:18 CEV).

That is plain enough, isn’t it?

A proud business person cannot listen. A proud business person cannot receive correction. A proud business person blames everyone else when things go wrong.

But humility helps you learn. Humility helps you apologize when necessary. Humility helps you serve customers well. Humility helps you grow without becoming arrogant.

As a child of God, you carry the God brand inside you. Your business dealings should reflect the character of the One you belong to.

Hey, do not confuse humility with weakness.

Humility is strength under God’s control.

2. Boldness

Now, who says that because you are humble, you must be timid?

No, my friend! Let me say one more thing about humility here, even before I talk about boldness.

Humility is not fear. Humility is not weakness. Humility is not hiding your gift, your skill, or your business under the table.

You need boldness in business.

You need courage to approach customers. You need courage to negotiate with suppliers. You need courage to present your ideas, launch your service, correct mistakes, make decisions, and keep going when the market does not applaud for you immediately.

Your customers should sense that you know where you are going. Your suppliers should see that you understand your responsibility. Those interacting with your business should see a spirit of confidence, order, and purpose.

And where does that confidence come from?

Not from arrogance. Not from empty noise. Not from pretending.

It comes from the Holy Spirit directing your affairs.

The Bible says, “God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment” (2 Timothy 1:7 GW).

So,

• be bold.
• Speak clearly.
• Serve confidently.
• Make your offer without apology.

If God has given you a legitimate gift, skill, product, or service, do not bury it because of fear. Step forward with both humility and boldness, combined.

The Holy Spirit is not the author of cowardice.

3. Diligence

Diligence is about persevering determination to perform.

That means you cannot afford to be lazy with your assignment. You cannot start today, disappear tomorrow, and then wonder why nothing is growing. Business needs consistency. Customers need reliability. Suppliers need confidence. Your own household needs to see discipline.

This means;

• You must show up.
• You must learn.
• You must improve.
• You must follow through.
• You must keep your word.

The Bible says, “Being lazy will make you poor, but hard work will make you rich” (Proverbs 10:4 GNB).

That is not complicated, is it?

Some people want success, but they do not want diligence. They want profit, but they do not want the process. They want to increase, but they do not want discipline.

But you, my friend, are a child of the Most High God. You carry the God brand inside of you. You have the mind of Christ.

Therefore:

• Go for it.
• Do the work.
• Learn the skill.
• Make the call.
• Improve the product.
• Serve the customer.
• Review the numbers.
• Correct the weakness.

Diligence does not mean you never rest. Even God established rhythms of rest. But diligence means you do not treat your calling casually.

If your business is from God, then work it with seriousness as unto the Lord.

4. Honesty

This one is key.

No shortcuts and no cheating, please.

In your everyday business dealings, you will meet with temptations. You may be tempted to exaggerate what your product can do. You may be tempted to hide important information from a customer. You may be tempted to use false weights, false promises, false invoices, or false reports.

But remember this, my friend: your business is not outside your worship.

• How you handle transactions matters to God.
• How you treat customers matters to God.
• How you speak about money matters to God.
• How you keep promises matters to God.

Your focus must be to do everything as unto the Lord. Never bring shame to the name of the Lord through dishonest business practices.

The Bible gives this timely warning: “But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin” (1 Timothy 6:9 GW).

That is very serious.

Money can test the heart. Profit can reveal character. Pressure can expose whether you really trust God or if you are willing to compromise when things get tight.

But you are not just building a business. You are building a witness.

Let your yes be yes. Let your no be no. Let your pricing be clear. Let your service be honest. Let your records be clean. Let your business carry the fragrance of Christ.

Honesty may look costly in the short term, but dishonesty is far more expensive in the long run.

5. Patience

Have you heard that worldly saying, “Rome was not built in a day”?

Well, it applies here too.

Business growth takes time. Trust takes time. Skill takes time. Customers take time. Systems take time. Profit takes time. Even a strong tree does not become strong overnight.

Remember what we said about honesty: no shortcuts.

Patience protects you from desperation. Patience helps you resist dishonest gain. Patience keeps you from abandoning a God-given assignment simply because it is not producing overnight.

In Africa, there is a proverb that says, “little by little, an egg will walk.”

Yes, my friend. When a hen lays an egg, she is looking forward to a chick. But there is a process. There is waiting. There is warmth. There is development hidden from the eye. Business can be like that.

The Bible says, “Wealth quickly gotten will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased” (Proverbs 13:11 BBE).

That is wisdom.

Do not despise small beginnings. Do not rush into foolish debt because you want to look successful before your time. Do not compare your beginning with someone else’s harvest.

Let the Holy Spirit lead you.

• Work steadily.
• Grow wisely.
• Improve patiently.
• Build something that can last.

As I conclude,

Here is a bonus basic principle.

Remember the Lord Your God

Never forget this one.

You may have a skill. You may have ideas. You may have connections. You may have energy. You may have a powerful product or service.

But always remember the Lord your God.

The Bible says, “But remember the LORD your God, He is the one who makes you wealthy. He’s confirming the promise which he swore to your ancestors. It’s still in effect today” (Deuteronomy 8:18 GW).

That verse should humble you and strengthen you at the same time. It humbles you because you remember that God is the true source.

It strengthens you because you realize that with God on your side, you can make big plans.

• Yes, you can think big.
• Yes, you can build wisely.
• Yes, you can create value.
• Yes, you can dream again.
• Yes, you can become a blessing.

So make God your business partner. Pray before decisions. Seek wisdom before expansion. Honour Him with your increase. Let your business become a place where Kingdom principles are practiced, not just preached.

Do Not Forget the Tenth

The final business principle I want to leave with you is that you must remember to tithe on your business earnings.

The tenth belongs to God. Only the 10%, and He is content with it when you obediently continue on this path. I am talking about the tithe before the Mosaic law. Like Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek after his war victory. And you are the seed of Abraham.

Now, do not treat this as a religious tax. Treat it as worship. Treat it as honour. Treat it as a continual reminder that God is the source, owner, and sustainer of all you have.

So,

• When your business grows, remember Him.
• When profit comes, remember Him.
• When new doors open, remember Him.
• When customers increase, remember Him.

As you continue to be faithful in your business life, God will make a giant of your business and be a blessing to many others as the Lord directs.

Let’s Talk, My Friend

Right, let’s leave it there for now.

Which of these five business basics do you need to strengthen most in your current business journey?

• Humility?
• Boldness?
• Diligence?
• Honesty?
• Patience?

Leave your comments below. Do you need answers to those questions? Let’s connect here.

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Thank you for reading through this post. My prayer is that you will attain your business dream. Stay blessed and inspired by His spirit for great success.