Faith and the Workplace

Discover how integrating faith into your business can transform not just your professional life, but your spiritual journey as well. What if the secret to navigating the challenging business world lies in aligning your ambitions with a divine purpose? Join me, Paula Behrens, as we unlock the profound wisdom of Psalm 37:5 and explore the unique intersection of faith and enterprise. Together, we'll unravel the power of aligning your business with God's higher plan, ensuring your path is lit with clarity and direction in the face of constant uncertainty and competition.

In this episode of Living on Purpose in Christ, you'll learn practical strategies for including God in every facet of your business endeavors. From the importance of prayer and reflection to fostering a mindset of stewardship over ownership, I share actionable insights to help you merge your business values with biblical principles. Along the way, we emphasize the significance of community and counsel with fellow believers, and how strategic risk-taking, guided by spiritual discernment, empowers you to meet challenges with confidence. Prepare to be inspired as we redefine success, not just in terms of profit, but as a faithful commitment to living out the gospel through our work.

More on my Blog >>> Aligning Your Business with Divine Purpose

Transcript

Welcome, everyone, to another episode of "Living On Purpose In Christ." My name is Paula Behrens, your host for the show. And I am truly excited that you are with us today for a conversation that I hope is both inspiring and deeply transformative. Today, we will delve into a powerful theme that resonates with so many of us: "Including God in Your Business Journey." Guided by the wisdom of Psalm 37:5, which tells us, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act," we will explore how faith and business can beautifully intersect.

Before we dive into the practical ways of infusing work with divine purpose, let's take a moment to reflect on our foundational belief: that each of us is here for a reason, a divine purpose that is unique and significant. As believers navigating the economic landscape, our businesses can become powerful platforms for fulfilling God's purposes. When we commit our ways to the Lord, we align our ambitions with His higher plan, and this alignment is key to the manifestation of our dreams and goals, so much so, that our belief system will affect our decisions in where we work, how we act, and what we do to support our families.

Faith, in essence, acts as our compass. In the world of business, where uncertainty and competition are constant, faith provides clarity and direction. When we prioritize our relationship with God, we develop a deeper insight into our journey, often sparing us from unnecessary detours and pitfalls. That's a good thing. Trusting in God requires us to relinquish control—a challenging yet liberating act that ensures that our pathways are illuminated by His wisdom.

So, here are a few practical steps in how you can include God in your business journey. First, always begin with prayer and reflection. With any crucial decision, start with prayer. Allow yourself moments of quiet reflection to seek guidance and discernment. Invite God into every aspect of your business—from strategic planning to everyday operations. When we consistently seek His presence, He faithfully provides the wisdom and strength we need.

Second, align your business values with biblical principles. To truly integrate God into your business life (whether you are self-employed or work for someone else), always remember to align your values and ethics with biblical teachings. This might mean prioritizing honesty, fairness, and integrity in all dealings, ensuring that every transaction reflects the love and righteousness of Christ.

Third, seek counsel from faith-based communities. Surround yourself with other believers who are on similar journeys. Engaging with faith-based business groups offers not only support but also the opportunity to benefit from shared experiences and insights. Remember, where two or more gather in His name, powerful things happen.

Fourth, practice stewardship over ownership. What does that mean? Well, it means that it's important to recognize that the way you use your talents to make a living is not just your own—it is a resource and blessing that God has entrusted to you. This mindset fosters a sense of responsibility and stewardship, encouraging decisions that prioritize long-term impact on the community over immediate business gains. 

Remember the parable of the talents? To the servants who invested their talents and reaped a profit, the master said: “Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

By viewing our talents and resources as something to steward rather than own, we align our actions with gratitude and purpose. This perspective encourages us to cultivate our abilities with care, aiming to enrich not only our own lives but also the lives of others around us. Realize that giving back is an act of worship. Pray and ask God how you can give back in His name—whether through charitable contributions or community involvement—being a faithful steward of what God has given to you should be a core component of your business strategy. Acts of generosity demonstrate your commitment to living out the gospel by serving others as Christ served you.

Fifth, let’s talk about strategic risk-taking with spiritual discernment. Business inevitably involves risk. However, when these risks are weighed with prayerful consideration and spiritual discernment, you can navigate them with greater confidence. Trust that God's plan will provide a safety net, one that will diminish your fears and anxiety about the outcome of your efforts.

Okay, so let's take a moment to hear a testimony from a friend of mine, a fellow believer and business entrepreneur, who has seen the power of integrating faith into her business. Her journey is a testament to the miracles that unfold when we truly commit our ways to the Lord. Lisa's story exemplifies that when we let go and trust, God not only acts but enhances our efforts exponentially.

She writes: "I'm a follower of Jesus, wife, mom, serial entrepreneur, and teacher. In 2018, I quit my 9-5 job to go full-time in my freelancing Facebook ad business. After about a year, I started to feel burned out. I knew something was off but couldn't figure it out. So I did the only thing I know to do... I turned to the Lord and He started to show me that I wasn't in total alignment with Him. I realized that I wasn't working from a place of purpose, but rather "just to make money". As I slowly stopped doing what I thought I should do and started seeking God on what He wanted me to do, the idea of helping other Christians hit me. So in July 2023, I launched my Christ-centered business and in six months it grew from zero to $10K in monthly recurring revenue. I've met AMAZING Spirit-filled brothers and sisters in Christ. AND I'm SO on fire and in flow with what I'm doing with God in business, now. One of the biggest things I realized through this journey I've been on is that I want to help more Christians fulfill their call."

Lisa is a saint, in that she is using her God-given talents to help others use their gifts, for the Lord, as well. Now I know that Lisa's story sounds pretty amazing, but it's also important to acknowledge that the integration of faith into business does not exempt us from challenges. As we go through those challenges if we do as the apostle Paul did and receive it all as joy, those challenges can serve as opportunities for deepening our own walk with, and reliance upon God.

The real test of our commitment lies in our response to those challenges, standing firm in our trust in God's timing and capability. Which brings us back to Psalm 37:5 -- "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."

It all boils down to this. We as Christians should always find ways to incorporate faith into the work environment. Encourage a culture in your entrepreneurial venture or workplace that will uplift and embody Christian values. This could manifest as encouraging a time of prayer to start the workday, hosting Bible study sessions in your home, or simply leading by example with grace and forgiveness. For me, it has become a Faith Building membership CLUB where I provide fresh, new content (every single month) that helps other Christians maintain a deep and rich relationship with the Lord.

Here's the thing. Committing to the Lord is not a one-time act, but a daily, intentional journey. Trust that He will act, often in ways that exceed your understanding. When you do that, your business will become a beacon of light—a testimony to God's faithfulness, provision, and love.

Thank you for joining me on the show today. I hope it renewed your spirit and ignited a newfound motivation to blend your faith with your business aspirations. Let’s close with a prayer:

"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of serving You through our businesses and in our workplaces. We commit our plans, dreams, and efforts into Your hands. Grant us wisdom, patience, and the courage to trust in Your timing. Let our actions reflect Your love and may all that we do glorify Your name. Amen."

I look forward to seeing you next time as we continue to explore how we can Live on Purpose in Christ. And remember, growth doesn't happen in isolation, so I'd love for you to continue this journey with us. Visit my website to discover the Faith Building CLUB, an exclusive monthly membership overflowing with resources designed to nurture and strengthen your faith—featuring prayer journals, devotional journals (one of which is called "God & Business: A 30-day Devotional Journal for Christian Entrepreneurs"). You'll also find Bible lessons, a One-Year Bible reading plan, Calendars, Prayer cards, resources for kids and teens, PLUS so much more.

If this podcast has touched you, please subscribe and share with others who may benefit from integrating God into their business journey, as well. And know that you are not alone—God is with you every step of the way. Until next time be blessed and may your life be a testimony of Christ’s strength within you. I look forward to seeing you on the next show!