Are Christian Entrepreneurs Supposed to be Wealthy?

Did you know that you are supposed to be rich, wealthy, and famous beyond your imagination? Yes, that's right! God wants you to live the "good life." Anyone can get rich with possessions and money, but it takes God to experience a total wealth with possessions, money, and a great [world-renowned] name.

A lot of Christian entrepreneurs go into business and end up broke, busted, and disgusted because they're not making any money. Some have a preconceived notion that God wants them to bless others by giving their products and services away. This can't be farther from the truth. Genesis 12:2-3 (New International Version) reads,

² "I will make you into a great nation
       and I will bless you;
       I will make your name great,
       and you will be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
       and whoever curses you I will curse;
       and all peoples on earth
       will be blessed through you."

God told this to Abram, but what makes you think He doesn't mean it for your life as well?

From this passage we can clearly see that;

• You ARE called to be wealthy!
  
• You ARE destined to become famous!
• You WERE born to be blessed and to be a blessing to others!
  

There are 3 ways you can claim this awesome promise of God. Read on if you're ready to become wealthy!

Embrace Your Gifts, Talents, and Abilities

First thing's first, recognize and embrace the skills God has already given you. You can draw for a reason. You can sing, write, and dance for a reason. Trust me, if you don't get anything else, understand that God knows what He's doing! By using our gifts we honor Him and are more capable in serving others which results in more blessings all around. Don't know what your gifts, talents, or abilities are? Here are a few thoughts on each and how to discover them;

• Gifts - Things we're born with that are typically supernatural in nature or manifest themselves in unexplained methods. Example; I don't know how my mom knows to call me [and knows exactly what to say] when I'm feeling down, but she does it on-time, every-time! That's a God-given gift!
  How to Discover: Ask a friend or someone close if they know what your spiritual gifts are, pray over the answer, and ask God to confirm it for you. He's got to tell you because - according to His word - he wants you to be successful!
  
  
• Talents - These are physical abilities such as being able to paint, write, great at basketball, etc.
  How to Discover: What do you enjoying doing in your spare time? What comes easy for you that may be difficult for someone else? List them out on a piece of paper and see what you come up with.
  
  
• Abilities - These are simply special skills or aptitudes. Example; perhaps you took a class and enhanced your knowledge of web design or public speaking. Honing your skills gives you special abilities and are useful to gaining wealth.
  How to Discover: What have you learned that enhances your skills? List them on a sheet of paper and circle at least 3 that are most valuable.  
  

Pursue Your Passions

Your passions are those things you were called to do while you were still in your mother's womb. When you seek opportunities, projects, and business ideas that you're passionate about you find more riches than you would in a get-rich-quick scheme. Don't know what you're passionate about? Here are a few tips on discovering them;

• Go on a fast - We live in a society of constant movement and noise. Quiet your spirit in order to listen to what your heart tells you. Fasting is a great way to make yourself spiritually aware of your needs and more apt to receiving clear direction and guidance.
  Note: Check out the "Win in 2010" Entrepreneur Fast that kicked off this year. It's never too late to start!
• Analyze Your Past - What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? What did you love doing in college? Search for clues to your passions buried within your past. They may unlock the key to a locker full of money making ideas!
• Read Inspirational Books - Books are great ways to discover new information, open your eyes to new possibilities, and inspire you to new levels in your life. Here's a pretty good list of books for entrepreneurs that you might like to check out.
• Explore Different Opportunities - Switch career fields [I started flight attending in order to pursue my passion of blogging. Sounds weird, but this video will explain more.], volunteer your time with different organizations, do a test run of an idea you're exploring, do whatever it takes to jump start your pursuit of your passion. You might stumble into it but once you find it, it's smooth sailing from there! 

Follower Feedback - Question: How can you discover what you're passionate about?

Deliver Value to Your Customers

According to Free Dictionary.com, value is described as, "Worth in usefulness or importance to the possessor" or, "a principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable." Don't just start a business because it's "hot on the market" right now. The best products and services solve people's problems or help them accomplish something in their lives. Want to know the best ways to deliver value to your customers? Here are a few tips on how;

• Customize Your Services - Don't just match industry standards, give them a unique experience that goes above and beyond anything they've ever paid for!
• Teach Them How to Fish - Sure, you make more money performing a specific task for a client day in and day out. What if they paid a premium price for you to teach them how to do it themselves? Why stop with only your clients? Why not open the floodgates and offer your expertise in the form of workshops and seminars?
  
• Give to Get - It's ok to give nuggets of information, expertise, and samples away now and then. By giving something of value it puts you in position to ask for something valuable back. Bloggers utilize this business model and it works without fail!
  
• Know Your Market - How can you deliver anything of value to prospects if you don't know exactly what they want? Get to know them by maximizing surveys and polls. Do your research and find out who you're selling to, what they're needs are, and how best to serve them. Speaking of service . . .
  
• Deliver Excellent Customer Service - Remember corporate America and big business? This is where they fail and why you will succeed. You have the ability to make your business more personable and direct. Never forget this competitive edge and deliver excellent customer service as naturally as night and day.
  

Note: For more on why customer service is so important to your business read, "Customer Service is Dead and You Killed It."

Final Thoughts

Just because you're a Christian entrepreneur doesn't mean you can't make money and live the "good life," God promises in His word. You're not required to give all your products or services away and you certainly don't have to play to what others think you're supposed to do with your business. You were born to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. Have you been held in bondage by this form of thinking? Do you feel like you should "bless" others by offering services for free? What else can we do to attain the wealth the Bible speaks about? Share your thoughts below.

About the Author

Rod Kirby is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, the #1 Christian Entrepreneur's blog-a-zine for small business, financial, marketing, and social media help. For resources to help you take your life, brand, blog, or business to the next level, check out the Best of The Success Center. You can also follow Rod's rampage of terror on Twitter and find him misbehaving on Facebook.



P.S. Photo Credit of the Flowing Water is from kkitsos on Flickr

Please 1) Subscribe 2) ReTweet this Article 3) Share this Article using the Share Features Below :)

Kindly Bookmark and Share it: