In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, it's easy to get caught up in the desire for quick success. However, as Christian entrepreneurs, we're called to a higher purpose – one that requires patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith. Today, we'll explore the critical lesson that most business pursuits don't succeed immediately and why diligence and discipline are essential in our journey as biblical entrepreneurs.

The Mirage of Instant Success

Imagine you're standing at the edge of a vast desert, your eyes fixed on an oasis in the distance. That shimmering vision of success seems so close, so attainable. But as you begin your journey, you realize that the oasis keeps moving further away. This mirage of instant success is a common trap for many entrepreneurs, especially those driven by faith and a desire to make a difference.

As Lance Vantine, host of the IBaM Biblical Entrepreneurship show, wisely points out:

"Many times our spirit gets ahead of reality, many times the long term vision. We get hasty, and we know that those who are hasty to gather wealth, that wealth will dwindle and ultimately they will be destroyed."

This powerful insight reminds us that true success in business, especially when aligned with God's purpose, rarely happens overnight. It's a journey of growth, learning, and often, overcoming significant challenges.

The Divine Purpose in Delays

Why does God often allow delays and setbacks in our entrepreneurial journey? The answer lies in His greater plan for our personal and spiritual growth. Lance explains:

"God, many times we know he tests the sons of men to see that they are like animals. We know that from the book of Ecclesiastes. And what this means is God will test us to show us that innately we are like animals. We aren't always well behaved. We get anxious, we get hasty."

These tests serve a crucial purpose. They reveal our character flaws, our impatience, and our tendency to rely on our own strength rather than God's wisdom. Through these challenges, we're given the opportunity to grow, to develop resilience, and to deepen our faith.

The Solomon Principle: Building with Patience

To illustrate the importance of patience and perseverance in business, let's consider the story of King Solomon building the temple. Despite having over 150,000 workers at his disposal, it took Solomon nearly seven years to complete this monumental task.

"Even with 150,000 plus people, it took Solomon nearly seven years to have the temple built."

This story serves as a powerful metaphor for our own entrepreneurial journeys. No matter how many resources we have at our disposal, building something truly great takes time, patience, and unwavering dedication.

The Heart of Biblical Entrepreneurship

At its core, biblical entrepreneurship is not about personal gain or rapid success. It's about aligning our business pursuits with God's purpose and allowing Him to work through us. Lance reminds us:

"We need to deny ourselves. We need to take up our cross daily. And we need to desire God above all else."

This mindset shift is crucial. When we prioritize God's will over our own desires for quick success, we open ourselves up to His guidance and wisdom. We begin to see our business not just as a means of personal achievement, but as a tool for Kingdom impact.

Practical Steps for Patient Persistence

1. Seek God's Wisdom Daily: Start each day with prayer and Scripture, asking for guidance in your business decisions.

2. Embrace the Learning Process: View challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.

3. Focus on Character Development: Prioritize dev

eloping godly character traits like patience, perseverance, and integrity in your business practices.

4. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with fellow Christian entrepreneurs who can offer encouragement and accountability.

5. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and be grateful for small successes along the way, recognizing God's hand in your journey.

The Eternal Perspective

Remember, as Christian entrepreneurs, our ultimate goal is not just business success, but eternal impact. Lance beautifully articulates this perspective:

"We are not the embodiment of what happens externally. We are who we are internally. And if we have the Holy Spirit, we are a child of God who is promised to rule and reign with him in heaven forever and ever."

This eternal perspective helps us maintain patience and perseverance even when faced with temporary setbacks or delays in our business pursuits.

The Power of Biblical Entrepreneurship

Biblical entrepreneurship has the potential to transform not just individual lives, but entire communities and nations. It's about using our God-given talents and resources to create businesses that honor Him and uplift others.

Imagine a world where every impoverished community has the opportunity to thrive economically and spiritually. This is the vision that drives organizations like IBAM (International Business as Mission) to equip and empower Christian entrepreneurs around the globe.

Your Role in the Mission

Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs who are committed to building businesses on biblical principles. But many aspiring Christian entrepreneurs lack the resources and support to pursue their God-given callings.

This is where you come in. You have the power to be a catalyst for change, to help unleash the transformative power of biblical entrepreneurship in communities around the world.

Become an Impact Partner

Are you ready to play a part in this global mission? Here's how you can make a difference:

Donate: Your financial support can provide business loans, entrepreneurial training, and experienced mentors to aspiring Christian entrepreneurs in impoverished communities.

Spread the Word: Share the vision of biblical entrepreneurship with your network. The more people who understand this mission, the greater our impact can be.

Pray: Commit to praying regularly for Christian entrepreneurs around the world, asking God to guide and bless their efforts.

Get Involved: Consider volunteering your skills or becoming a mentor to support budding entrepreneurs in your community or abroad.

Don't let another day pass without unleashing the transformative power of biblical entrepreneurship. Visit ibam.org today to learn more about how you can become an impact partner and invest in eternal impact.

Together, we can create a world where business becomes a powerful force for good, spreading hope, dignity, and the message of Christ to every corner of the globe. Will you join us on this mission?

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

Listen to the podcast on itunes here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-business-as-mission/id1757096551

Listen to the podcast on spotify here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ibamtoday

Become an IBAM Impact Partner here: https://www.ibam.org/impact-members

Learn more here: https://www.ibam.org/