Christian Business Myth: Christian Values Do Not Make for a Successful Business

Jan 28, 2010, Written by Sue Miley

Many Christian businessmen and women say, “I won’t be able to compete in the market place as secular businesses do not have the same constraints.”  I hear this view from clients.  I read about it on the internet.  I have seen it espoused in surveys.

How Christian Values Make our Businesses More Competitive

Do you feel this way?  The GOOD NEWS for Christian Small Business Owners is that following our faith in all of our business dealings, decisions, and directions would make us even more competitive.  WHY?

  • We would treat all of our customers, employees and vendors with respect, dignity, and integrity. (Proverbs 2:7)
  • We would serve our customers, employees and vendors to the best of our ability. (Proverbs 22:29)
  • We would make plans in advance to achieve the vision. (Proverbs 21:5) ( Proverbs 16:3)
  • We would build our business on a strong foundation. (Matthew7:24-25)
  • We would be excellent stewards of the company’s resources because we would know they aren’t ours anyway.
  • We would persevere even in hard times. (2 Timothy 4:7) (Proverbs 17:7)(Phil 3:14)
  • We would delegate effectively. (Exodus 18:18)
  • We would hire qualified people with high character.  (Proverbs 26.10)
  • We would equip and train our organization. (Proverbs 9:9)
  • We would be consistent and firm in our expectations and commitments. (Proverbs 29:18)
  • We would hold everyone, including ourselves, accountable to Godly character, hard work, and consistently meeting expectations. (Proverbs 19:19) (John 15:2)
  • We would lead with boldness and humility simultaneously. (Proverbs 18:12)
  • We wouldn’t partner with thieves.  “He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; he hears the oath but tells nothing.”  Proverbs 29:24.
  • As a leader, we wouldn’t be riddled with stress and anxiety. (Matthew 6:26)
  • Our services and products would be of the highest quality. (John 15:2)

Do these actions seem uncompetitive?  God created everything and He is way smarter than us.  Whether it is in our relationships, our finances, or our business His ways are everlasting.  Our competitors may use cheaper ingredients to increase their margins, build up their riches in storehouses, use force to get extra work from their employees, but these strategies won’t last.  It will catch up with them.  That is why it is so important to recognize the success of unethical businesses as a “house built on sand” and not get caught up with adhering to the world’s standards.  Leave those not following Godly ways to the Lord and keep doing what we know is right.

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Sue Miley

Sue Miley MBA, MA, LPC helps small business owners build successful businesses on a foundation of Christian values. After 20 years in business, and 10 years as a Christian counselor, Sue uses a combination of faith, business and psychology to help clients in business and in life.

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