CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE NETWORK

GOOD IDEA - OR GOD IDEA?

I first read about the phrase of the title for this chapter from a Christianpreneur coach of coaches, Harry C. Green, of blessed memory, I thought I’ll borrow it. Christian entrepreneur always battle with the dilemma whether your idea is business or ministry related.

Validating your vision is one of the most crucial steps to Christianpreneurship. As a believer, you must ensure that it is God that is indeed speaking to your heart..
It is important that a Christianprenuer operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. That is what makes the difference between having a good idea or a God idea. Hearing every word that the Lord speaks is crucial. One can describe it as operating in a sort of prophetic role or receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit, who plays His role also confirming the mind of God, with words of encouragement, to reach out to your calling and destiny.

A Christianpreneur must know the mind and voice of His master, Jesus Christ. An inspired idea must resemble the character of Him who inspired it. If not, it would be a product of shallow, twisted mind and imagination.
So, the question that most people ask is - how to know whether it is a good idea, or a "God" idea?

Unfortunately, there is no blanket formula for this. However, here are a few checkpoints that might help you to make an assessment.

1. What is the character of the business? Does it exhibit or reflect the character of God?
2. Will the business or anything associated with it force you to compromise God's values in any way?
3. Has God equipped you for this venture? Do you currently have the basic tools to begin the process?
4. Has God sent people to you to help you and encourage you?
5. Does your idea inspire others?

These questions are not meant as qualifiers or disqualifiers. They are only meant to help you to think more deeply about what God wants from you as a Christiantrepreneur. For some, there is still some time to wait. For others, the time to move is now. It is my hope that you will find yourself somewhere in between, ready to march toward His calling on you building a multi-million pounds business enterprise.

This article was first published in the business column of Christian Times. It is taken from a forthcoming book; CHRISTIANPRENEURSHIP:
Building and running a God driven Business by Sonny A. Samuel, an award-winning Christianpreneur, enterprise development expert and media practitioner.