"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26

It seems like everyone these days wants to build a kingdom business but very few truly understand what it really takes or the personal and financial price. As a business coach, I have witnessed firsthand the personal and financial sacrifice that many individuals and families are making to be intentional about building kingdom businesses. They face increased overhead due to the desire to do right by employees, customers, communities, and government. They must be willing to transfer the company to someone outside the family if they have not found a family member who is committed to continuing the kingdom legacy that they began.

Some even limit their growth, so they do not compromise their core values or sacrifice their marriage and family. These individuals are modeling the commitment that the early followers of Jesus made when they forsook all to follow Him. They also recognize that a successful kingdom business begins with a successful personal Christian life. You cannot build a kingdom business if you are not modeling a personal kingdom lifestyle.

A kingdom business is a profitable company operated by a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ that models His teachings with the goal of bringing transformation in the lives of individuals, communities, and nations. It is a company that is not only committed to a double or triple bottom line but includes spiritual transformation as a part of how it measures success.

Anyone can make money, but very few people can adhere to these Proverbs:

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with trouble." - Proverbs 15:16

"Better is a little with righteousness, then vast revenue without justice." - Proverbs 16:8

Building a successful kingdom business comes at a price. In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus tells us the price that must be paid to be a true follower. This is the same price that must be paid for followers who operate kingdom businesses.

You must be willing to forsake your family – What happens when your family is against the vision and what God has asked you to do in your life and business? Will you obey God or will you listen to your family? Building a kingdom business may sometimes put you in direct opposition to family traditions and the desires of the family. Deuteronomy 13:6-8

You must be willing to forsake your own life – What happens when your personal desires and interests are inconsistent with the vision and instructions God gave you to apply in your life and business? Building a kingdom business will demand personal sacrifice on your part, and you must be willing to be a living sacrifice. Galatians 2:20

You must be willing to bear your own cross – What happens when you face persecution and trials because of the vision and instructions God gave you? Will you back off or will you persevere? Building a kingdom business may cause persecution, and you will go through trials, but you must be willing to persist in what God has asked you to do. 2 Timothy 3:12

However, with all this cost there is a great reward here on earth and in eternity for those who remain faithful to the end.

"So Jesus answered and said. 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers, or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters, and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life.'" - Mark 10:29-30

My prayer for you today is that you will remain faithful in maintaining a kingdom lifestyle and building a kingdom business so that you may receive your earthly and eternal rewards even if it’s with persecution.

 

Reflection: What are you willing to forsake to build a kingdom business?
 
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Copyright © Patrice Tsague NPIM