As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of ideas, strategies, and opportunities. But amidst this chaos, how do we ensure we're building businesses that truly align with God's plan for our lives? Lance Vantine, host of the IBAM Biblical Entrepreneurship show, offers a powerful perspective on this crucial question.

"Sometimes in our want of pursuing certain things or being overly ambitious or whatever it might be, we tend to put what we want, what we're going after, our pursuits, everything ahead of God, without going to God first, to even see if our pursuits are directed and for him, if it's even what God wants us to complete," Lance explains.

This insight strikes at the heart of a challenge many Christian entrepreneurs face: balancing our ambitions with God's will for our lives and businesses.

The problem is twofold. First, we often rush into business decisions without seeking God's guidance, potentially wasting time and resources on pursuits He never intended for us. Second, we may struggle to discern God's voice and direction in our business endeavors, leading to a lack of clarity and focus.

Lance illustrates this dilemma: "Sometimes when we're building something, God never called us to build it. Maybe we're doing a certain strategy. And if we would have just gone to God first, we wouldn't have spent all that money."

This scenario is all too familiar for many entrepreneurs. We've all experienced the frustration of investing in a strategy or project that ultimately bears little fruit, leaving us wondering if we misread God's direction.

Consider the consequences of continuing down this path:

1. Wasted resources on projects God never ordained

2. Spiritual and emotional burnout from pursuing the wrong goals

3. Missed opportunities to make a real impact for God's kingdom

4. A business that may succeed financially but fails to fulfill its divine purpose

Imagine the regret of reaching the end of your entrepreneurial journey only to realize you've been building on sand instead of the solid rock of God's will. As Lance warns, "What we do for the day will direct and help either propel our tomorrow or it will deflate our tomorrow."

The stakes are high, not just for our businesses, but for our spiritual lives and the impact we could have on the world for Christ. We need a better way forward.

The solution lies in cultivating a deep, moment-by-moment reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance in our business decisions. Lance emphasizes the importance of this spiritual sensitivity:

"We need to be attuned to the Holy Spirit and sensitive to his speaking, because the Holy Spirit speaks to us in such a way that is such subtle. It's a ghostly whisper, what I like to refer it to as when the Holy Spirit speaks, he speaks to us, and he helps us to discern what is of the Father's will."

Here's a practical framework for building your business with God-given clarity and focus:

1. Start Each Day with Surrender

Begin every morning by surrendering your business plans to God. Lance suggests a simple yet powerful prayer: "God, what is your vision for my life and what is your will for today?" This daily act of submission opens your heart to receive divine guidance.

2. Cultivate Spiritual Sensitivity

Develop a habit of listening for the Holy Spirit's "ghostly whisper" throughout your workday. This might involve setting aside regular times for prayer and reflection, or simply pausing before major decisions to ask for God's input.

3. Study Scripture for Business Wisdom

Lance recommends reading a chapter from Proverbs each day, corresponding to the date. For example, on the 16th of the month, read Proverbs 16. Pray for fresh insights as you read, allowing God's timeless wisdom to inform your business practices.

4. Embrace Seasons of Change

Recognize that God may call you to different pursuits in different seasons. Lance notes, "Many times God calls us to something for a season. But maybe that season is up." Be open to pivoting your business focus when you sense God leading you in a new direction.

5. Prioritize Kingdom Impact

Align your business goals with God's mission to spread the Gospel and make disciples. As Lance reminds us, "God wants us to share the good news and the gospel and to make disciples of men."

6. Trust in God's Timing and Power

Remember that God can accomplish His purposes through your business in ways that defy human logic or timelines. Lance illustrates this with a powerful metaphor:

"If God can create the world in six days (or even six milliseconds if He chose), then surely he can create and start up a business in another company and get that company blessed and going within the span of just a few months, even a couple weeks, if he wanted."

This perspective frees us from the pressure to make things happen in our own strength and timeline.

By implementing these practices, you'll develop a business approach that's deeply rooted in God's will, leading to greater clarity, focus, and ultimately, kingdom impact.

The goal is to build a business that's not just successful by worldly standards, but one that fulfills God's unique calling on your life. Imagine waking up each day with crystal clear direction, knowing that your business efforts are perfectly aligned with God's plan.

Picture the impact your business could have when it's fully surrendered to God's purposes:

- Lives transformed through your products or services

- Employees and partners drawn to Christ through your example

- Resources generated to support kingdom work around the world

- A powerful testimony of God's faithfulness in the marketplace

This is the potential of biblical entrepreneurship when we build our businesses with God-given clarity and focus.

Ready to revolutionize your approach to business and align it more closely with God's will? Here are some concrete steps you can take today:

1. Implement a daily prayer routine, asking God for His vision and will for your business.

2. Set aside time each week for deeper reflection and listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance.

3. Start the Proverbs reading plan, seeking fresh business insights from God's word.

4. Review your current business strategies and projects. Are there any you need to pause or pivot from based on God's leading?

5. Identify one way you can prioritize kingdom impact through your business this month.

Remember, as Lance emphasizes, "Truly in Christ, we can do all things. Nothing is impossible for God." When we build our businesses in partnership with Him, the possibilities are truly limitless.

But there's one more crucial step you can take to multiply your impact:

Become an Impact Partner with IBAM (International Business as Mission)

IBAM is on a mission to spread biblical entrepreneurship to impoverished communities around the world. By becoming a donor, you can play a vital role in this kingdom work.

Imagine the ripple effect of your generosity:

- Your gift could provide a startup loan to a single mother in rural Africa, enabling her to launch a small farming venture that feeds her children and sends them to school.

- Your support could fund entrepreneurial training for a young man in Southeast Asia, empowering him to start a manufacturing business that breaks the cycle of generational poverty.

- Your partnership could help build a community of Christian entrepreneurs, fostering spiritual growth alongside business success.

As Lance passionately declares, "This is the power of entrepreneurship as a force for good. Will you join us in unleashing it?"

Don't let another day pass without taking action. Visit ibamodcast.org today to become an Impact Partner and invest in eternal impact through biblical entrepreneurship.

Together, we can build businesses that honor God, transform lives, and advance His kingdom around the globe. The time to act is now. Will you answer the call?

Become an IBAM Impact Partner here: https://www.ibamtoday.com/impact-members