Key Takeaways
1. Entrepreneurship is a Divine Calling to Create and Partner with God
As an entrepreneur, you—yes, you—are a part of God’s plan A.
God's original design. Many Christians mistakenly believe that vocational ministry is a "special" calling, making entrepreneurial pursuits seem secondary or less spiritual. However, the Bible shows God as the ultimate Creator, and He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden not just to enjoy it, but "to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). This demonstrates that work, including creative problem-solving and building, is an inherent part of bearing God's image and an invitation to partner with Him.
Beyond a curse. Work is often perceived as a curse resulting from the Fall, but it predates sin. Entrepreneurship, with its inherent drive to solve problems, innovate, and provide new resources, directly reflects God's creative nature. When entrepreneurs feel "fully alive" in their ventures, it's a resonance with the Creator God who instilled that drive within them.
Communion through creation. Entrepreneurship offers a unique avenue to commune with God. By creating something new, providing value, and bringing order out of chaos, entrepreneurs participate in God's ongoing work to bring His Kingdom to earth. This perspective transforms business from a secular pursuit into a sacred one, empowering entrepreneurs to confidently pursue their God-given call.
2. Anchor Your Identity in Christ, Not in Business Success or Failure
When we place our identity in these things, we’re pulling on the firmest Jenga blocks, begging for our lives to come crumbling down.
The emptiness of self-reliance. Entrepreneurs often define themselves by their accomplishments, profits, or the success of their ventures. This self-reliant identity, however, is inherently unstable and leads to profound emptiness, whether experiencing the highs of a $10 million sale or the lows of 0-for-40 investor pitches. Such experiences reveal that ultimate satisfaction cannot be found in worldly achievements.
Identity in God's eyes. A Faith Driven Entrepreneur's core identity is rooted in being a beloved child of God, made whole through Christ's perfection. This foundational truth provides an unshakeable anchor, preventing success from intoxicating and failure from devastating. It shifts life's focus from "doing" to "being," fostering a deep gratitude that fuels all work as an act of worship (Romans 12:1-2).
Love as the foundation. Jesus' greatest commandments—to love God with all heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love neighbor as self (Mark 12:28-31)—become the bedrock of a faith-driven business. This means daily decisions flow from this identity, influencing how employees, customers, and partners are treated. For instance, a CEO facing layoffs can choose to admit mistakes and support departing employees, demonstrating Christ-like love even in difficult circumstances.
3. Embrace Stewardship: Everything Belongs to God, We Are His Joyful Managers
True generosity flows out of an understanding that God owns everything—and I mean everything.
Beyond mere giving. Many Christians view stewardship narrowly, as an obligation to tithe a percentage of their income. However, biblical stewardship is a profound privilege rooted in the understanding that God owns everything—our money, time, talents, and businesses. We are merely managers of His resources, entrusted to use them for His purposes, not our own.
The genius of generosity. This perspective transforms giving from a duty into a joyful adventure. When we recognize God as the ultimate owner, we are freed from the pressures of performance and experience delight in partnering with Him. As Chip Ingram learned from giving away his car, and later managing a "pastor's discretionary fund," true generosity stems from a heart that acknowledges God's ownership and seeks to fulfill His wishes.
Three diagnostic questions: To cultivate faithful stewardship, regularly ask:
- Am I using everything entrusted to me in accordance with the owner’s wishes? (e.g., Great Commission, building the church, helping the hurting)
- Am I carefully keeping an account of where the owner’s goods are going? (e.g., budgeting time, talent, money with clear intentions)
- Am I becoming best friends with the owner while managing his resources? (e.g., deepening relationship with God through the process, celebrating His goodness)
This approach leads to spiritual and eternal blessings, demonstrating where our true priorities lie.
4. Cultivate Strategic Partnerships for Shared Mission and Resilience
The journey of an entrepreneur is a lonely one. But it doesn’t have to be.
The folly of isolation. Entrepreneurship is inherently demanding and often isolating, with the weight of outcomes resting heavily on the leader's shoulders. However, attempting this journey alone is a "fool's game." God designed humans for relationship, as seen in Jesus' twelve disciples and the biblical principle that "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Power in shared faith. A partnership founded on shared faith and mission is invaluable. Such a "united front" builds trust among employees, partners, and customers, inspiring confidence in the company's leadership. Henry Kaestner's experiences with partners like David Morken and Luke Roush demonstrate that shared faith allows for deeper vulnerability, transparency, and "iron sharpening iron" discussions, leading to stronger businesses and personal growth.
Beyond business benefits. While partnerships offer practical advantages like tag-teaming pitches and shared problem-solving, they also provide immense personal joy and camaraderie. Like the Inklings (C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien) who forged unbreakable bonds through shared experiences, business partners united in Christ can navigate the "battle" of entrepreneurship together, transforming challenges into opportunities for deeper friendship and spiritual growth.
5. Beware the Idol of Work: True Satisfaction Comes Only from God
I tried to have it all. I succeeded. And it was completely, utterly empty.
The "hevel" of success. Many entrepreneurs, like Peter in the "Dirt Cheap Lawn Care" analogy, make work an idol, seeking satisfaction, meaning, and significance in its success. However, as King Solomon discovered in Ecclesiastes, even immense wealth, wisdom, and accomplishment can feel like "hevel"—vapor or smoke—ultimately disappointing. This pursuit often leads to alarming statistics: entrepreneurs are significantly more prone to depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Four areas of disappointment: Solomon identified that success itself can highlight life's inherent disappointments:
- Pleasure ultimately disappoints: Despite having everything, Solomon found it "completely, utterly empty."
- Best business wisdom sometimes fails: "Time and chance happen to them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:11); sometimes, despite doing everything right, things don't work out.
- Worldly justice systems fail: Good goes unrewarded, evil unpunished, which is "meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 8:14).
- Fruit of labor crumbles: Our legacy can be undone by successors, making toil feel "meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19).
Rest in God. To avoid the trap of work idolatry, Solomon advises fearing God and keeping His commandments. True satisfaction, meaning, and significance are found only in our identity as God's children, not in entrepreneurial exploits. This perspective allows entrepreneurs to pursue excellence without intoxication from success or devastation from failure, finding happiness in the present relationships rather than elusive future achievements.
6. Prioritize Faith, Family, Work, and Fitness to Build a God-Honoring Culture
We defined success by our ability to balance all four values well.
Holistic values. Henry Kaestner and David Morken intentionally built Bandwidth on four core values: Faith, Family, Work, and Fitness, in that specific order. This framework created a thriving company culture where employees felt loved and valued, leading to high satisfaction and productivity. These values are not just aspirational but are actively lived out and tested.
Living out the values:
- Faith: Expressed through love for employees, customers, and shareholders (1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 John 4:19). It's about living a life that points to Jesus, supported by a steadfast local church community.
- Family: Prioritized through practices like weekly date nights and making time for children. This challenges the entrepreneurial tendency to overwork, emphasizing submission to one's spouse as an act of serving God (Ephesians 5:21-22, 25).
- Work: Embraced with diligence, perseverance, and faithfulness, doing "whatever you do... all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). This means inviting God into every meeting and decision, recognizing Him as the ultimate authority.
- Fitness: Honoring God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and fostering camaraderie, empathy, and productivity through shared physical activities. This value provides rest, builds team spirit, and enhances mental sharpness.
Values under pressure. These values were tested early when Bandwidth faced a lucrative deal with an adult entertainment company, which violated their faith and family principles. Despite severe financial strain, they canceled the deal and paid the sales rep, demonstrating integrity. This commitment to values, even at great cost, became a turning point, fueling their subsequent rapid growth.
7. Strive for Excellence in All Work as a Reflection of God's Character
If the god you worship isn’t worthy of your best, then how weak is your god?
Beyond "Christian" quality. The term "Christian" in the marketplace is unfortunately often associated with mediocrity or poor quality, leading to skepticism from investors and consumers. However, Faith Driven Entrepreneurs are called to represent a perfect God, meaning their work should not just meet, but exceed market standards. Excellence becomes a form of worship and a powerful witness.
Excellence for God, not self. Pursuing excellence solely for personal gain or recognition ultimately leads to emptiness, as "selfish accomplishments never satisfy." Instead, when excellence is pursued for God's glory, it brings joy in the process and serves a higher purpose. The motivation shifts from boosting self-esteem to offering one's "very best sacrifice at his feet," aspiring to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
A powerful witness. Francis Schaeffer taught that the quality of our work determines our opportunity to be heard. When Faith Driven Entrepreneurs produce excellent products and services, they stand out, prompting others to ask about the source of their distinct peace and attitude. This allows them to point to God, demonstrating His character through their craftsmanship, much like Jesus' perfect carpentry would have reflected His divine nature.
8. Choose Faithfulness Over Willfulness: Partner with God, Don't Force His Plan
God’s will being done through our urgency, our conviction, and our power isn’t God’s will at all.
The entrepreneur's paradox. Traits like urgency, conviction, and a bias for action are highly valued in successful entrepreneurs. However, for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, these same traits can lead to "willfulness"—a sincere but misguided attempt to accomplish God's will through personal strength and resources. This contrasts with "faithfulness," which involves doing our part while trusting God for the outcomes.
God's priority: Our faith. The disciples, despite witnessing Jesus feed thousands, worried about forgetting bread, prompting Jesus to ask, "Are your hearts hardened?" (Mark 8:17-18). This illustrates that God's primary concern is not the project itself, but growing our faith and making us more like Christ. He asks us to do the impossible with what we don't have, so we learn to depend on Him as our ultimate resource.
From "Go get 'em" to "Let's do this together." Willfulness leads to burnout, anxiety, and misplaced priorities, as we strive to prove our worth. Faithfulness, however, means working with God, not just for Him. It involves:
- Authentic Humility: Valuing others, serving like Jesus (John 13:15).
- Eternal Perspective: Keeping God's ultimate mission in mind (John 14:3).
- Abiding Attitude: Staying connected to God through prayer and rest (John 15:4).
- Realistic Expectations: Knowing trouble will come, but God has overcome (John 16:33).
This shift transforms work from a burden into a joyful partnership.
9. Minister Through Deeds: Live Honestly and Lovingly to Display God's Grace
Ministry in deed is the act of living a life that gives light to those who see you.
Tangible love in the workplace. Ministry in deed means expressing God's love through concrete actions in every work-based relationship. This includes providing meaningful work, competitive salaries, and family-friendly policies for employees, as exemplified by Bandwidth's decision to hire chaplains who became invaluable during employee crises. This care then naturally extends to customers, partners, and vendors.
Honesty in brokenness. There's a misconception that Christians must always appear to "have it all together." However, biblical figures like David openly expressed their struggles and joys to God. Entrepreneurs, facing intense highs and lows, can minister by being honest about their own brokenness and challenges. This vulnerability invites others to see a real relationship with God, where His strength shines through our weaknesses, rather than a facade of perfection.
Humility over pretense. Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) highlights the value of humility. While the Pharisee boasted of his good deeds, the tax collector humbly sought mercy, and it was he who "went home justified." Entrepreneurs can easily fall into the trap of presenting a perfect image. Instead, ministering in deed means letting go of control, acknowledging our limitations, and allowing God to work through our authentic selves, even when the business is crumbling, pointing others to eternal hope.
10. Minister Through Words: Be Prepared to Share Your Hope with Gentleness and Respect
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Beyond actions alone. While "preaching the gospel at all times" through actions is vital, it must be complemented by words. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) explicitly calls followers to "make disciples of all nations," which is a vocal activity. Every interaction, from office conversations to investor meetings, presents an opportunity to praise God and share the "why" behind our work.
Sharing your "why." Simon Sinek emphasizes the power of knowing your "why." For Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, the "why" is to glorify God in "whatever you do" (Proverbs 16:3). Sharing your personal testimony—the journey of how God has worked in your life—is the most powerful and relatable form of evangelism. It's not about theological arguments, but about one "beggar telling another beggar where he found food."
Peter's three tips for vocal ministry:
- Always Be Prepared: Not forcing conversations, but being ready to share about Jesus when opportunities arise organically.
- The Hope That You Have: Focus on what God has done in your life, as personal experience is undeniable and relatable.
- Gentleness and Respect: Build relationships based on trust and kindness. People are more receptive to information from those they know and respect, opening the door for meaningful faith conversations.
Prayer as the linchpin. Seeking God first (Matthew 6:33) transforms our approach to sharing faith. Instead of praying for success in our evangelism strategies, we pray for God to open opportunities and provide the right words. Praying for someone in Jesus' name invites them into a sacred communication with God, allowing them to witness His power firsthand and realize they too can connect with Him.
11. Leverage Your Business for the Great Commission: From Everywhere to Everywhere
The gospel has traveled around the world faster on the wings of business than it has even through apostolic effort.
All Christians are called. A pervasive myth is that only pastors or missionaries are called to ministry. However, all Christians are called to leverage their lives for the Great Commission (Matthew 4:19). Historically, the gospel spread rapidly not just through apostles, but through ordinary believers—merchants, carpenters, and entrepreneurs—who carried their faith wherever their work took them, often at zero cost to the church.
Untapped missionary force. Consider the vast potential: in the 10/40 window (where most unreached people live), there are approximately 40,000 traditional missionaries. Yet, there are an estimated 1 million Christians working in other fields in that same region, with at least 200,000 serious about their faith. These "business as mission" individuals are strategically placed, often in areas closed to traditional missionaries, and can advance the gospel in unprecedented ways.
Beyond borders and church walls. Whether through international business ventures, like a neurology professor sharing his testimony in Asia or an Alabama entrepreneur selling wood chips to a UAE sultan, or locally reaching the growing number of "nones" in Western cultures, God wants to use your business. The book of Acts shows that 39 out of 40 miracles occurred outside the church, indicating God's desire to work miraculously in your workplace. Entrepreneur, your skills, ambitions, and dreams are God-given, and He is calling you to make yourself available for His global mission.
12. Pastors and Entrepreneurs Need Each Other to Maintain Perspective and Self
The greatest gift we ever give anyone is who we become.
Shared struggles, shared strengths. Pastors and entrepreneurs, though seemingly distinct, are "close cousins" who share similar drives, temptations, and blind spots. Both are doers, builders, and leaders, often susceptible to loneliness, burnout, and an addiction to growth and productivity. Pastors can be guarded, while entrepreneurs often face transactional relationships, making genuine connection difficult.
Combating loss of perspective. Both groups risk losing perspective, prioritizing earthly treasures and performance over eternal values. Jesus warned against storing up treasures on earth and serving both God and money (Matthew 6:19-24). An inward focus on personal achievement can lead pastors to prioritize pew numbers over individual souls, and entrepreneurs to replace servant leadership with profit and self-aggrandizement. Accurate "upward" perspective (seeing God) corrects this, reminding us that God is satisfied with us regardless of performance.
Guarding against loss of self. Dallas Willard's insight—that the greatest gift is who we become—highlights the danger of being so consumed by "doing" that we lose sight of "being." Entrepreneurs can become so wrapped up in business outcomes that they neglect family and personal well-being, as seen in young entrepreneurs prioritizing business over marriage. Pastors, too, can lose themselves in ministry demands. Both need to ask, "Who am I becoming in this process?" This journey with God is not about speed, but about consistent, intentional steps of integrity and God-honoring decisions, relying on each other to stay grounded in God's grace and pure motives.
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