When we have it in our hearts to start a business, we may feel as if wanting to start a business is contrary to our faith. Isn’t making money or wanting to make more money inherently a bad thing?

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Money is not evil. God does not call us to shy away from starting businesses. The Bible says,

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV, emphasis mine

When we are obsessed with money, when it becomes our heart’s affection, that disease of the soul will lead us to all kinds of evil; however, money is not inherently evil. It possesses no power outside of the worldly system it is attached to and the value we ultimately choose to attribute to it. As believers, money can be a powerful tool in doing the will of the Father.

Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

Luke 16:9 NLT

Our wealth can open doors to do work of eternal weight and true Kingdom impact. Therefore, we must not shy away from the businesses God has put on our hearts. Whether your desire is to start a Christian apparel business or a fashion line that isn’t overtly Christian, what matters at the end of the day is your “why.”

Why do you believe God has called you to this business?

You don’t have to put “Christian” explicitly in the marketing of your business in order to honor God or to be successful. In fact, God wants you to compete in the industry you’re called to and bring you out on top in order to glorify His name. A great example of this is the TV series, The Chosen. They are the largest crowdfunded media project in history. They are not the largest in the Christian segment; they are the largest out of the entire history of crowdfunded media.

God will bring forth the favor and innovative ideas you need in your life in order to be positioned at the top, not so that you would be glorified but that He would be glorified.

Jesus says to us:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Jesus wants your light to shine on this earth!

Season 2 of The Chosen illustrates Jesus writing his sermon on the mount. I encourage you to watch it for deeper revelation as to how and why this passage is so transformative (The film brings the Words of Christ to life in such a powerful way).

This, beloved, is the first way for us to seek the Kingdom first in our business.

1. Receive Revelation (Biblically and Prophetically) of Who You are in Christ. When you understand why God created you, what He created you for, and how your calling to business aligns with that prophetic calling, you will not pray selfishly for your business but selflessly for the Kingdom.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6: 33 ESV

Seeking God is for the purpose of your spiritual growth and development; seeking the Kingdom is about getting a burden from God about how He desires to expand His Kingdom in the earth.

2. Ask God for greater revelation to be an answer to a problem in the earth. When your business becomes one small part of the answer to a real need on the earth, you are able to stay Kingdom-minded, prioritizing your prayers for the Kingdom to come (The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13).

3. Operate in integrity and under Biblical principles. Do not engage in business endeavors that go against the Word of God.

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day

Deuteronomy 8:18 ESV

4. Ask God for prophetic direction in your business. It is very easy to become routine and religious in such a way that we miss the new things that God wants to do in our lives, ministries, and businesses. Ask God to lead you by His Spirit so you are able to stay ahead in your business. God can and will reveal what is coming before it is perceived in the natural. He will prepare you like Joseph for what is to come. Your greatest asset is your ability to hear the voice of God.

If you would like to learn how to hear God’s voice for your business so you can grow and refine your prophetic gift as an entrepreneur and business owner, I encourage you to learn more about our Ministry School for Business.

Some of you have been taught to seek God, but you have not been taught to seek the Kingdom. In the Ministry School, we address how both are absolutely integral in order to become who God has called you to be and to see the fulfillment of His prophetic promises in your life. One without the other is living underneath your inheritance and will lead to unfulfilled promises.

Let me know in the comments which word of wisdom (1-4) blessed you the most! I look forward to hearing from you.

Grace and Peace.