When it comes to starting your own business as a Christian — whether big or small — I believe there are some very important questions we must ask ourselves.

You see, many people want to start a business simply because of the glamour.

They get caught up in phrases like “get rich quick” and “be your own boss”.

But beyond that, they don’t stop to consider if a successful business is the right means to achieve their goals.

Below are three questions that I believe every Christian entrepreneur MUST answer before diving into the world of business.

Through my own successes and failures I always come back to these questions.

And I believe that having clear answers to them has helped keep me focused and determined to see things through.

What are your motivations? (AKA your “reason why” to starting a business as a Christian)

As simple as this might seem… a lot of first-time business owners overlook this simple question!

I believe that the only way anyone can succeed in business is to first get crystal clear on why you’re doing it.

Many people (including plenty of Christians I’ve mentored!) start with the simple “I want to earn more money.”

But why do you want to earn more money?

Do you want the means to give to the needy and help fund good charitable efforts?

Do you want to be able to save more to send your kids to a good college?

Are your finances tight and you want to end the feelings of stress and anxiety?

If you ask me, I think wanting “more money” just for the sake of having more money is the quickest way to failure in any business venture.

Without a real motivation driving you through all the ups and downs… most people quickly burn out and feel like it isn’t worth the effort.

It’s those with a greater mission: to fund their ministries, to give to those who need it more, to provide more for their families…

These are the people who see success in business as a Christian.

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” (Proverbs 12:11)

Are you prepared to step aside and let God run your faith-based business?

This sounds like something we’d do without even having to think about it.

However, a lot of Christians with their own business still end up struggling with this.

Starting a business is a lot of hard work. It involves learning new skills, taking some risk, an enormous amount of persistence…

So when entrepreneurs fight through all of that and finally see success, why wouldn’t they want to take the glory for it?

What we read in Matthew 6:19-21 tells us to not fall into this trap though:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

I think that a business and any success that comes with it must be recognized as two things:

1. Simply a means to serve, give to the needy, and spread His love & kindness.
2. A gift from the Lord that can be taken away from us at any moment, were we to stray from the path He guides us down.

You see, many business owners begin to fear what life would be like if they lost their business.

But if it is the Lord’s will — why would you not trust He has a greater plan for you in mind?

Stepping aside to let God run your business is the best decision we can make. Even if He leads one thing to failure.

We must trust that He is only leading us to something greater — no matter how angry, frustrated, or doubtful we might feel at first.

Who are you trusting to mentor you in starting and sustaining your Christian business?

The sad truth is, there are a lot of false teachers out there.

And I’ve fallen victim here too, especially when I tried a couple MLMs (aka “network marketing”)

Now, the Bible says you can know a tree by its fruit.

Not only does this apply to leaders and teachers, but I believe it also applies to the business itself.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, less than 1 percent of people who join MLMs are able to turn a profit.

So the owners of these businesses who get up on stage and make their ultra-motivational presentations?

You must realize that what they’re doing is asking the crowd to idolize an incredibly small group of people who see results.

So ask yourself: how does one see results in the business ideas you are considering?

Is it by recruiting others and asking them for money?

Or is it by providing a valuable service that helps others in your community and across the country?

If you have answered all these questions and still strongly feel that you have to start a business as a Christian, sign up for our Free Training where we show you how to build a Christian-based business.