Your Business Is More Than a Paycheck — It’s a Calling

My uncle was called into the ministry, and his son too. My sister, along with her husband, found a way to serve as well. Even my own husband and father served as deacons in two of the largest Baptist churches in our area. Being called to do God’s work definitely seemed to run in the family, and in my younger years I often prayed that one day an opportunity like that would come my way, whether just for a little while or for a lifetime. And true to His nature, God was faithful. He has a way of answering prayers in surprising ways, and that’s exactly what He did when He dropped a simple business “side-gig” in my lap at the age of 41.

Starting my own business was a whirlwind of paperwork, licensing forms, new software, and more networking events than I could count. In the middle of all that chaos, I paused to ask myself a big question: What kind of business owner do I want to be?  I knew right away that I didn’t want to repeat what I’d seen from some of my former employers. There would be no cutting corners on taxes, no raising my voice at employees, no flirting with staff members, no sneaky fees for clients, and no lack of respect toward partners. Then I thought about one of my favorite leaders — someone whose humility and kindness won people over, even the most difficult ones. And I realized: that’s the model I want to follow. Not my way, but God’s way. That was the moment it clicked for me - I hadn’t been called to ministry in the same way as my family, but I had been called...

My business would be my ministry.

Running a business in today’s world is not for the faint of heart. Between payroll, taxes, customer complaints, and the occasional printer that seems possessed, many days it feels like you’re carrying the weight of the world. But what if I told you your business was never meant to be carried alone?

Why This Blog Series Exists

This blog series is designed for entrepreneurs who want to honor God in the marketplace. Throughout these articles, we’ll look at biblical principles for running a business - from budgets and payroll to boundaries and legacy. You’ll laugh a little, think a lot, and hopefully walk away each week with practical steps to both strengthen your business and deepen your faith.

Faith at Work (Without Breaking the Law)

Now before you panic and picture HR knocking on your door with a pink slip, let’s talk briefly about what this means legally. In the United States, you can integrate your faith into your workplace, but you must do it within the boundaries of employment law. One should always seek professional advice on such a topic, but I am happy to share some practical tips:

• You can live your faith openly. Business owners have the right to run their company in alignment with their values. You can set the tone through integrity, prayer in your private life, generosity, and servant leadership.

• You cannot force faith on employees. Employees cannot be required to participate in religious practices.

• You can create a culture of values. Words like honesty, generosity, integrity, and servant leadership aren’t just “Christian” - they’re universal values that reflect biblical principles. Frame your culture around these values, and your witness will shine without coercion.

• You can offer accommodations. If an employee requests time or flexibility for their faith practice, providing reasonable accommodations demonstrates fairness and respect.

In other words: share your faith, don’t shove your faith. Let your light shine through how you lead, how you treat people, and how you handle money. That witness speaks louder than a hundred office devotionals.

Call to Action

Before you dive in, ask yourself: What do I want my business to be known for? Is it just profit, or is it something more eternal? Write down your answer, stick it on your desk, and let’s start this journey together!