How to Set Business Goals With God
Let’s talk about the importance of setting business goals with God as a Christian entrepreneur. In this blog post, you’ll learn why it’s essential to include God in your planning process, how to discern if a goal is from God or yourself, and provide practical steps to ensure your goals align with His will. Additionally, we share biblical stories and modern-day examples to illustrate the power of God-fueled goals. Read more to discover how you can invite God into your business goals and achieve success that glorifies Him.
Setting Business Goals With God
As Christian entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves wondering if it’s okay to create goals for our business. The answer is a resounding yes! It’s a successful habit of a Christian entrepreneur. Proverbs 16:3 encourages us to “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Setting goals helps us stay focused and motivated, and when aligned with God’s will, they can lead to meaningful success and impact. We’re going to cover 5 questions when it comes to setting business goals with God including:
Table of Contents
- Is it ok to create goals for our business as a Christian entrepreneur?
- Why is it important to include God in my business goals?
- How do I know if a goal is from myself or God?
- How can I include God in my business goals?
- What do God-fueled business goals look like?
- Real-life modern business examples of God-fueled goals
A Biblical Perspective When Someone Included God In Their Plans
In the bible, we see a variety of examples of people who included God in their plans and who excluded God altogether. Here are 2 examples of each:
Nehemiah Rebuilding the Wall (Nehemiah 1-6)
- Nehemiah sought God’s guidance through prayer and fasting before taking action to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He continually relied on God for wisdom and strength.
- Outcome: Despite opposition and challenges, Nehemiah successfully rebuilt the wall in just 52 days, demonstrating how aligning plans with God’s will leads to success and divine protection.
David’s Battles (1 Samuel 30)
- Before pursuing the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag, David inquired of the Lord whether he should pursue and if he would overtake them.
- Outcome: God assured David of success, and David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken. Seeking God’s guidance led to victory and restoration.
A Biblical Perspective When Someone Excluded God In Their Plans
Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)
- The people of Babel decided to build a tower to reach the heavens, aiming to make a name for themselves without seeking God’s approval.
- Outcome: God confused their language, causing them to stop building and scatter across the earth. Ignoring God’s will resulted in confusion and failure.
King Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:8-14)
- King Saul, facing pressure from his troops and the Philistine threat, decided to offer a burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel, thus disobeying God’s command.
- Outcome: Saul’s kingdom was ultimately rejected by God. Acting impulsively and not following God’s instructions led to the loss of his dynasty.
1. Is it OK to Create Goals for My Business?
Creating goals is not only okay but also necessary, especially for a business owner. However, as a Christian who is starting a new business, or currently operating a business, the key is to commit these goals to the Lord.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” This verse encourages all Christians to make plans, but with the condition that we commit them to the Lord. Setting business goals with God will help you stay focused and motivated. When aligned with God’s will, they can lead to meaningful success, positive impact, and ensure that your efforts are directed towards His purposes, leading to success that glorifies Him.
2. Why is it important to include God in my business goals?
Including God in your business goals acknowledges His sovereignty and your dependence on Him. Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” By inviting God into your planning process, you tap into His wisdom, strength, and provision. This not only increases your chances of success but also ensures that your work glorifies Him.
Biblically Speaking, It's Foolish To Exclude God When Setting Business Goals
When you set goals without seeking God’s guidance, you can end up ignoring His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. Let’s break down these three characteristics of God:
- Omniscience: God is all-knowing. He understands our past, present, and future. He knows what’s best for you and your business. Why wouldn’t you want to tap into His infinite wisdom to set goals for the business He entrusted to you?
- Omnipotence: God is all-powerful. He has the ability to make things happen beyond your human capabilities. When you include God in your planning, you access His unlimited power to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
- Omnipresence: God is present everywhere. He is with you in every situation and can guide you through every challenge. Including God in your business goals means you are never alone in your journey; you have His constant presence and support.
Ignoring these divine characteristics is not only unwise but also limits your potential. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trusting and including God in your goal-setting process ensures that your paths are aligned with His perfect plan.
3. How do I know if a goal is from myself or God?
Distinguishing between your own desires and God’s will can be challenging. Here are some signs that a goal may be from God:
- Alignment with Scripture: God’s plans will never contradict His Word. If your goal aligns with biblical principles, it’s a good sign.
- Prayer and Peace: Pray about your goals and seek God’s guidance. If you feel a sense of peace and confirmation in your spirit, it’s likely from God.
- Godly Counsel: Seek advice from mature Christians. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
4. How can I include God in my business goals?
Here are four practical steps for setting business goals with God.
- Prayer: Start with prayer, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom for your business.
- Scripture: Study the Bible for principles and examples that can inform your goals.
- Surrender: Be willing to submit your plans to God and be open to His direction, even if it means changing your goals.
- Regular Check-ins: Continually seek God’s guidance through prayer and reflection as you work towards your goals.
5. From a biblical perspective, what does God-fueled business goals look like?
God-fueled goals are those that align with His will and bring glory to Him. We provided some earlier in this post and we’ll share them again here:
- Nehemiah Rebuilding the Wall (Nehemiah 1-6): Nehemiah sought God’s guidance and was able to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall despite opposition. His goal was aligned with God’s purpose, and he relied on God’s strength and wisdom.
- David’s Victory Over the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30): David inquired of the Lord before pursuing the Amalekites. God’s guidance led to a complete victory and recovery of everything taken.
Conversely, consider the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). The people’s goal was to make a name for themselves without seeking God’s approval. The result was confusion and scattering. This illustrates the importance of including God in our plans.
Real-life modern business examples of God-fueled goals
Let’s bring these concepts into a modern context with some real-life examples:
Starting a New Business:
- Example: Sarah felt called to start a Christian bookstore. Before taking any steps, she spent weeks in prayer, seeking God’s direction. She read scriptures related to wisdom and provision, and consulted with her church leaders. She received confirmation through a sense of peace and specific Bible verses that spoke to her situation. Today, her bookstore is thriving, serving as a community hub for Christians seeking resources and fellowship.
Expanding Business Services:
- Example: John runs a successful graphic design business and felt led to expand his services to include website development. He brought this idea to God in prayer, asking for clear guidance. Over the next few weeks, he felt a consistent nudge and saw multiple confirmations through conversations and opportunities that aligned with this new direction. By including God in his decision, he was able to expand his business effectively, meeting a growing need in his community.
Navigating a Business Crisis:
- Example: Emma’s catering business faced a significant downturn during the pandemic. Instead of panicking, she turned to God, praying for wisdom and direction. She felt led to pivot her business model to offer home-delivery meal kits. This idea was reinforced through scriptures about adaptability and provision. By following God’s guidance, her business not only survived but thrived, and she was able to provide jobs and meals to her community during a difficult time.
Creating a New Product Line:
- Example: Michael owns a fitness apparel company and felt inspired to create a line of clothing with encouraging Bible verses. He prayed for clarity and wisdom, and felt a strong confirmation to move forward. He involved God in every step, from design to marketing. The new product line was a hit, resonating deeply with customers and opening doors for ministry opportunities through his business.
Building a Team:
- Example: Rachel needed to hire a new team member for her consultancy firm. She prayed for God’s guidance to find the right person who not only had the skills but also shared her Christian values. Through prayer and discernment, she found the perfect candidate who has since become an integral part of her business, helping it grow and succeed in ways she couldn’t have imagined.
By integrating prayer, scripture, and godly counsel into your goal-setting processes, you’ll align your plans with God’s will, leading to profound peace and purposeful success. These modern-day examples demonstrate the power and practicality of setting business goals with God at the center.