The Christian Teenpreneur

As we round-up this month of the celebration of entrepreneurship, let’s spend some time to discuss the Christian teenage entrepreneur. The objectives of this discussion include the following;

•      To encourage teenagers who are Christians to embrace entrepreneurship;

•      To provide the necessary information and knowledge to equip and empower them and;

•      To contribute towards the development of future multi-national organizations established and managed under godly principles

Who is an Entrepreneur?

Simply put, an entrepreneur is someone who provides products and services that solves problems for people; meets peoples’ needs; and adds value to people’s lives.

Who is a Christian Entrepreneur?

The Christian who is an entrepreneur can be described as the “Believer who has ¹answered the Divine call to ²positively impact his/her community in the place of business (providing goods & services) ³under the direction of the Holy Spirit ⁴to the glory of God” (Please take note of the emphases).

The ultimate entrepreneur, our role model, is the Almighty God. In Genesis 1-2, we are told that He created the Universe out of a ‘shapeless, empty, and dark’ entity (Genesis 1:2). The Christian Entrepreneur must be a reflection of the Creator, who made ‘something’ out of ‘nothing’ for the benefit of mankind.

Why Christian Entrepreneurship?

One cannot help but ask this crucial question. What is different about the Christian entrepreneur? Isn’t entrepreneurship the same, whatever may be a person’s religious persuasion? Well, not really. You see, the Bible describes the followers of Christ as the catalysts of genuine development (Matthew 5:14-16). We are to;

•         Meet the needs of people/community

•         Provide economic succour for people (through jobs/careers/allied businesses)

•         Practice faith with works (James 2:14-26)

Factors that make for Christian Entrepreneurship

·         The Environment. As far as the world is concerned, the business environment is ‘secular’, meaning godless. But for the believer, to be ‘Christ-like’ is to be godly. Christianity is a lifestyle. You cannot separate your faith from what you do or who you are. Your faith should be your inspiration. So, even in the place of business, your behaviour, conduct and performance should reflect your faith.

·         The Driving Force. Entrepreneurs are usually inspired and motivated to do what they do. For some, it is about making impact, adding value; but for some others, it’s an opportunity for fame and fortune. What’s yours? For the Christian, it is about contributing to the work of the Almighty God (Deuteronomy 8:18; Matthew 25:35-40).

·         The Vision. What have you been called out to achieve (Proverbs 29:18a)? Can you recognize possibilities and opportunities? When you receive divine vision for whatever you are about to undertake/have undertaken (Mark 1:35), it will sustain you on your journey.

·         The Purpose. What is the type/objective of the venture you have in mind/at hand? Every single one of us has been created for a specific purpose (Esther 4:14; John 15:16). What’s yours? How will your involvement in this venture bear abiding fruit?

·         The Passion. Passion is that strong, powerful, and compelling emotion that has drawn you to this venture. It is the driving force, the intense desire to see a particular problem solved or need met. It is passion that drives persistence and keeps you enthusiastic in whatever you are engaged in. Do you have the passion?

The Challenges of the Christian Entrepreneur

The Christian entrepreneur is a human being, not a spirit. He/she operates here on earth, not on mars or other planets. And so faces the same challenges both as human and as business people. The challenges include;

•         Poor/Inadequate Infrastructure

•         Poor Business Integrity

•         Poor/Lack of Information

•         Lack of funding/high bank rates

•         Unstable Economic Policy

•         Violence/chaos + natural disasters

The Needs of the Christian Entrepreneur

•         The Need to Know Yourself. How much of yourself do you really know? In venturing into the business environment, there is the need for personal stock-taking.

Ø  Your intelligence area – the leaning of your brain function. Are you the Cognitive type (analytical, logical, use of abstract symbols, numbers, and words, slow processing of information, makes specific statements) or the Creative type (intuitive, impressionistic, good with metaphors, images, and narratives, rapid processing of information, makes sweeping statements)?

Ø  Your skills. What are those your God-given talents, gifts, and abilities? Are they suitable for this venture?

Ø  Your values. What are those biblical principles that define you and your venture and cannot be compromised for whatever reason?

S/N	Kingdom Values	Worldly Values
	•         Kindness & Respect for all	•         POWER
	•         Humility	•         STATUS, FAME
	•         Honesty & Generosity	•         WEALTH
	•         Self control	•         PLEASURE
	•         Forgiveness	•         REVENGE

For the Christian in the business environment, there is the battle of godly values (John 15:5) versus business ethics (2 Timothy 3:5). You must know the difference between the both of them.

•          The Need to Know your Business.

Ø  The industry

Ø  The role (purpose) of the business in the community

Ø  The impact (benefits) of the business on the environment

•         The Need to Learn (2 Timothy 5:17).

Ø  Explore learning sources (the Bible, books, magazines, journals, internet, etc)

Ø  Challenge and exercise your body/mind (1 Timothy 4:8)

Ø  Attend personal and business development seminars, courses, conferences and at the end, adopt the learning principles

Ø  Get a mentor. Learn from other people’s experiences. It shortens the learning period. You will need mentors with the following characteristics;

§  The Coach – The one to hold your hand, helping you during the journey and you will trust that you are being taken through the right path.

§  The Critic - The one who will tell you the situation as it is, to your face, with no holds barred and no matter how painful and hurting, you will acknowledge that he/she means well.

§  The Champion – This one is your cheerleader, complimenting and encouraging you and you can trust that it isn’t flattery.

•         The Anchor of the Christian Entrepreneur

Ø  2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT), “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others”.

§  When God gives a man a vision, He also makes available, the provision. May the Lord increase your faith in Him such that you don’t have to worry about resources for your business.

Ø  Romans 3:3 (NLV), “If some of them were not faithful, does it mean that God will not be faithful”?

§  You will meet the ‘naysayers’ on your journey but it shouldn’t matter if other people don’t believe in you or what you have been called to do. Trust God and ensure that their unbelief is not going to keep you from believing in your dream. God will send you ‘enablers’.

Ø  Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV), “Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God”.

§  Watch and pray; be on red alert! Nothing is more valuable than your salvation and your relationship with God. Nothing!

 Conclusion:

When you achieve for yourself, you become successful but when you achieve for God, you become a celebrity!!!