Christian, Born an Entrepreneur
“Entrepreneurship is sacred when working with God.
— O. David Odukoya
The Bible teaches that when nothing existed, God created a world that was good and took the risk to create human beings to look after it.
As an entrepreneur is defined to be someone who takes a risk to create something out of nothing for the benefit of all, then that makes God “the Master Entrepreneur”.
Therefore, as people created in the likeness of an entrepreneurial God, Christians have the spirit of entrepreneurship — the Holy Spirit. And the Bible gives us many examples of entrepreneurs who as well were great achievers; they include Apostle Paul, Nehemiah, David, Phinehas, Moses…and Joseph. Certainly,
“…the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].” (Daniel 11:32b Amp.)
What Spurs Entrepreneurship?
True entrepreneurship is a selfless venture which is a reaction to a disturbing situation, and motivated by the love and burning desire for a solution.
Understandably, love is a strong, formidable force; the love for God, especially. And assuredly, whatever is initiated out of love shall never fail (1Corinthians 13:8).
Moreover, it should be noted that entrepreneurship is not only a matter of money, but in every area of human activities. For example:
An Entrepreneur Minister of the Gospel.
He diligently studies the scriptures to dig out truths, practices them himself, teaches others and makes disciples for Christ. Apostle Paul was one, and became outstanding among others (Colossians 1:27-29).
However, this is far from commercialising the Gospel.
From Servitude to Rulership
The Bible gives us some details about the slave boy, Joseph (who later became the Prime Minister!) in the land of his enslavement, Egypt.
The striking factor to his success was love — his love for God, and for others — which are clearly expressed thus:
- And about this time, Potiphar’s wife began to desire him and invited him to sleep with her. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” Genesis 39:7-9
- Pharaoh became very angry with these officials, and he put them in the prison where Joseph was…They remained in prison for quite some time, and Potiphar assigned Joseph to take care of them. One night the cup-bearer and the baker each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning. The next morning Joseph noticed the dejected look on their faces. “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked. And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but there is no one here to tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Tell me what you saw.” Genesis 40:2-8
- Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river… Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh… And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”
So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” …Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do… “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt…
And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? ….You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:1-40
An Open Note
These accounts show that Joseph was a selfless person, working with God. For his love primarily for God reflects his positive interest in people. He therefore was often given insight into solving problems of his generation.
Summing Up
Undoubtedly, every one in Christ is in the likeness of an entrepreneurial God; we have the spirit of enterprise — to influence positive change in the world through words and deeds.
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