The Missing Element: Spiritual Leadership
The biggest mistake I see Christian business owners make is failing to operate as spiritual leaders. This isn’t about quoting scripture in your marketing materials or having prayer before meetings (though those things aren’t bad). It’s about operating from a place of holiness—being set apart in how you conduct business.
Holiness simply means being different, set apart. As believers, we have access to heaven’s wisdom that should give us a supernatural perspective in business. This perspective should completely distinguish us from everyone else in our industry.
Too many Christian entrepreneurs focus on being set apart publicly—wanting their brand to stand out—while neglecting their inward set-apartness. The real work happens in private: your morning routines, spiritual disciplines, and quick obedience to those nudges from the Holy Spirit.
The Danger of Over-Spiritualizing
Interestingly, while some Christian entrepreneurs neglect spiritual leadership, others fall into the opposite trap: over-spiritualizing everything. I’ve seen this lead to:
- Delayed service delivery (“God’s doing a work in me”)
- Undercharging or not charging at all (“God told me to do this for free”)
- Perpetual waiting for a “word from God” before making basic business decisions
- Treating a business like a charity rather than applying sound business principles
This approach isn’t spiritual maturity—it’s often spiritual immaturity. God gave us wisdom, common sense, and business principles to apply. You don’t need to fast for a week to decide whether to take a good job offer.
Building a Kingdom Culture Through Values
One practical way I’ve found to build a God-honoring business is through establishing clear values. Values create culture, and culture determines how your business operates daily.
Think of values as the guardrails on a highway—they keep everyone on track. When someone operates outside your values, it becomes immediately apparent that something’s off.
In my companies, we have eight core values that are biblically based (though they don’t explicitly quote scripture). We highlight one value each week in our Monday meetings and through email communication. This consistent focus builds a culture aligned with God’s principles.
Values do more than guide behavior—they fire for you. When someone consistently operates outside your values, you don’t have to be the bad guy. The values themselves make it clear that person isn’t aligned with your company culture.
Connecting Your Business to God’s Purpose
I believe the biggest reason God wants to bless your business is to build His church. This doesn’t mean your business exists solely to generate tithes (though that’s part of it). It means understanding that business provides both resources and influence.
Look at Joseph in Scripture. His administrative excellence in prison eventually positioned him as second-in-command to Pharaoh. His business acumen became a vehicle for saving a nation during famine.
Christian entrepreneurs often miss this dual purpose. Yes, God wants you to build His house through your giving and involvement. But He also wants you to operate with such excellence that kings outside the church will need heaven’s wisdom that comes through you.
This is how transformation comes to cities and nations—not just through the church building, but through marketplace influence wielded by those who carry God’s presence.
Practical Steps Toward Spiritual Leadership
If you want to build your business God’s way, start with these practical steps:
- Establish a daily encounter with God through prayer and His Word
- Create clear, biblically-based values for your business
- Operate in the fruits of the Spirit (patience, kindness, goodness, etc.)
- Ask yourself regularly: “Does this honor God?” before making decisions
- Invite feedback and correction from trusted spiritual advisors
Remember that holiness is a journey, not a destination. You won’t get it perfect immediately, but consistent pursuit of God’s way in business will set you apart and position you for influence beyond what you could achieve through worldly success alone.
The world doesn’t need more Christian versions of secular businesses. It needs businesses led by Christians who bring heaven’s wisdom, presence, and principles into every industry. That’s how we truly build our businesses God’s way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I balance making money with following biblical principles in business?
Making money and following biblical principles aren’t opposing goals. In fact, biblical principles like excellence, integrity, and fair dealing often lead to greater business success. The key is maintaining proper perspective—seeing profit as a tool for kingdom impact rather than an end in itself. When you prioritize serving others well through your business, financial success typically follows.
Q: What’s the difference between a spiritual leader and just a good business leader?
A spiritual leader has a relationship with the Holy Spirit that informs their decisions and actions. While good business leaders may excel at strategy, management and growth, spiritual leaders bring an additional dimension—they operate from God’s presence, invite heaven’s wisdom, and create space for the supernatural in their business. This presence is often tangible; people can sense something different when they interact with your company.
Q: How do I avoid over-spiritualizing business decisions?
Balance spiritual sensitivity with practical wisdom. Not every decision requires a prophetic word—many just need common sense and sound business principles. Develop trusted advisors who can provide perspective when you’re uncertain. Remember that God gave you a mind to use, and many business principles in Scripture (like in Proverbs) are straightforward wisdom that doesn’t require special revelation to apply.
Q: Should I only hire other Christians for my business?
Not necessarily. Hire the best people for each role who can align with your company values. Being clear about your values during hiring helps ensure cultural fit regardless of someone’s faith background. This approach allows your business to be a light to non-believers while maintaining its distinctive culture. Remember, your business can be a place where people encounter God’s presence through your leadership, even if they don’t initially share your faith.
Q: How do I establish clear values for my business that reflect biblical principles?
Start by identifying 6-8 core principles that matter most to you and align with Scripture. These might include excellence, integrity, generosity, or service. Define each value clearly with practical examples of what living it out looks like in your business context. Then communicate these values consistently—in onboarding, team meetings, and daily operations. Most importantly, model these values yourself as the leader, showing that they truly guide your decisions and actions.
