5 Ways to Put God First As You Grow Your Business
As entrepreneurs, we are inundated with so much information telling us how to run and grow bigger, better businesses. Every day there is more content being released, blog posts being published, and products being launched that vie for our attention. So much so that we stop sticking to our business plans and we can’t hear God’s voice because it’s being drowned by the notion of bigger profits, more email subscribers, and whatever latest digital marketing trend. Before we know it, we try implementing all the things without really taking the time to ask God and discern if it’s best, which leads us to feel overwhelmed, behind, and on this perpetual hamster wheel where we’re just trying to keep.
Instead of going to Him to ask what’s best, we go to the marketers to tell us the new “thing” that’s going to grow our business. And at that moment, God is no longer first. The marketers are first. Forbes is first. Pinterest is first, and God who once served as CEO has been relegated to an entry-level worker who has no say in the direction of our business. And before we know it, we’re either suffering from analysis paralysis, or we’re feeling unfulfilled because we went and made our own plans, instead of putting and seeking Him first. You know who else can relate to this experience? The Israelites.
In Isaiah 29 and 30, the Lord rebuked the Israelites because they made plans without the Lord. They failed to put Him first and experienced so much sorrow because of it.
“What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their evil deeds in the dark! ‘The Lord can’t see us,’ they say. ‘He doesn’t know what’s going on!’ How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, ‘He didn’t make me’? Does a jar ever say, ‘The potter who made me is stupid’?” (Isaiah 29:15-16)
“'What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,’ says the Lord. ‘You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help’...” (Isaiah 30:1-2).
We don’t want to be women who make plans without consulting our Creator. We don’t want to make business plans without consulting our Ultimate CEO. As Christian women business owners, we want to make sure that we are making an impact for God’s kingdom and in order for us to make the most impact, we have to put Him first. Here are 5 ways you can put God first as you build your business.
1) Be spirit-led
Before you start seeking and being led by all the business trends, be spirit-led by first seeking the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Seeking and spending time in His word aids with eliminating the desire to build our Kingdom over His. God’s Word will always give us clarity, wisdom, and guidance on the next best steps we can take (Psalm 119:105). Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right strategies, investments, and partnerships that will divinely grow your business.
2) Be obedient
As we’re being led by the Holy Spirit and He’s giving us direction, it’s so important that we remain obedient by listening to His voice, heeding His correction, and taking action. Is He telling you to move forward with a new offering? Is He telling you it’s time to pare down your schedule? Do you need to lighten your client load? Whatever God is telling you, make sure that you do it. God wants to bless and grow our businesses, but oftentimes our blessings are waiting on the other side of our obedience.
3) Plant expectantly
So many times, God gives us a seed in the form of a vision and because it’s not growing at the rate we expect, we dig it up in doubt instead of expecting that it will grow. Whatever business vision God has given you, plant it expectantly. Pray on it. Research it. Visioneer it. Take action toward developing it. You’re standing on good growing grounds. As you take time plant good seeds and allow them to root, God will cultivate your soil to allow your business to grow.
4) Steward faithfully
There is a season for everything, even as entrepreneurs. There are seasons of sowing, growing, reaping and, resting; no matter which season you’re in, make sure you are stewarding it faithfully. If you’re in the beginning stages of business, cherish the small beginnings, don’t despise them. God loves to see the work begin (Zechariah 4:10). Use the resources that are readily available to you and trust that as you steward them well, God will bless you with more.
5) Share boldly and unashamedly
Many of us entrepreneurs struggle with boldly sharing our brand’s message. We’re afraid of visibility and self-promotion. Don’t be fearful or ashamed of the message that God has given you. Share boldly and unashamedly. Instead of thinking you’re being salesy, slimy, or overbearing, think about the mission that God has given you — to serve. By sharing your message, you’re helping to solve a problem and serve the group that God has called you to. There is no shame in that. When Jesus came to serve us, he boldly and unashamedly proclaimed the message of God’s redeeming love to all who wanted to hear, and those who needed to hear that message welcomed Him gladly. So don’t be afraid of people’s possible reactions, focus on the message and the people you’re called to serve.
Maybe you’ve struggled with putting your passions over your purpose in business. Maybe you’ve abandoned your God-inspired business plan for the fleeting promises of marketing promotions. No matter where you are, it’s not too late to start putting God first. It is He who has given you the vision for your business. Let Him give you direction for how you should carry it out. As you put Him first, He will make the vision plain and give you the clarity you need to build a purposeful and profitable business.
Originally Written for Relevant Entrepreneur
