Believers and Entrepreneurs

Eric Jurmu | The Voice of Zion September 2025 - Round the Table Article --

An entrepreneur organizes and runs a business, taking on above-normal financial risks. These decisions can have life-long consequences, not always good. While opportunities change over time, wholesome and ethical practices remain important considerations.

Although business opportunities have changed and evolved over the years, wholesome and ethical business practices remain important considerations for the aspiring entrepreneur. 

What might motivate a believer to start their own business? How does one’s faith shape the goals they set or the vision they hold for the business? How does a believer define success? What ethical challenges might a believer face or be tempted with as an entrepreneur? What encouragement can we find from God’s Word for someone who is setting out or is an established entrepreneur? 

I presented these questions to believing business owners. It was comforting and encouraging to hear their answers. It is evident that God has worked in their hearts to keep priorities in the right order. 

What to Consider When Starting a Business 

Fear and trust God – He knows the heart and blesses accordingly. Work diligently, keeping faith and a good conscience. Always ask: Will this business or my decisions in it take away my hope of heaven? May God grant owners and employees a way through life with heaven as the goal. Do all in prayer – God blesses in His perfect timing. Even hardships are blessings that deepen our gratitude. With humility, pray: Thy will be done. As Paul writes: Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks (1 Thess. 5:17–18). 

Remember, success in business or life never comes from our own goodness, but from God’s grace. As Jesus taught: He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45). 

When to Start a Business 

Many start a business young, before life’s realities are fully in view. As circumstances change – marriage, children – it’s important to seek God’s guidance and adjust priorities. This can be hard if the business began from personal interest but now demands more time than it should. 

One young father realized his business was taking so much time that he was neglecting his family. What began as a blessing was harming his marriage and children. Time must be balanced, keeping faith, family, and friends first. 

What Kind of Business 

An entrepreneur should ask: What type of business suits me as a believer? One owner prays for a tender conscience to warn him of paths with spiritual pitfalls. While some dangers are clear, others are murky – times when it’s wise to seek counsel from other believers and learn from how the Spirit has guided in the past. 

Scripture allows freedom in life choices, yet not all things are beneficial for faith. As Paul writes: “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is beneficial… No one should seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Cor. 10:23,24, NIV). Ask: What pleases God? Let His Word guide you through difficult decisions: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105). 

Challenges in Business 

Business challenges vary, but a believer trusts that God sees all and aims for actions that reflect this. Ethical questions arise: What advertising is appropriate? Would I cheat on taxes to gain profit? Be tempted to overcharge? Am I paying fair wages that encourage employees? 

In today’s economy, interaction with the unbelieving world is unavoidable and not to be feared. Yet, believers must stay alert to when the enemy of souls draws near through business ties. As Paul warns: Do not be yoked together with unbelievers… What fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14,15, NIV). 

Dealing with Success 

If a business prospers, it is God’s blessing – yet success can bring trials. As the hymn says: If God gives me times of gladness, shall I grieve if He gives seasons, too, of sadness? (SHZ 387:3). 

One owner never intended for his business to grow so large, yet he now carries responsibility for many employees and investments. He asks: How would God want me to manage this? In this, he prays for humility and trusts God’s plan and help. 

Blessings of Ownership 

Owning a business can bring real benefits – freedom to come and go, independence in financial decisions, and flexibility to meet family needs. It can also allow more time and means to support God’s kingdom. 

Yet earthly blessings are for this life only, not the life to come. As Proverbs 30:8,9 prays: Give me neither poverty nor riches… lest I be full and deny thee… or lest I be poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.