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If you are amongst the vast majority of the planet’s workforce, you will be in the category of employee, rather than employer. Both are required, but, in contrast to the world’s view, one is not greater than the other. However, one has the potential to yield far greater financial rewards than the other.
One of the major questions that you need to ask yourself on the road to serious wealth creation is this: has God wired me up to be self-employed?
Now the Christian entrepreneur can operate within the world of employment, but you have to consider which position you would ultimately be more fruitful in.
FULFILMENT AT WORK
Far too many people are simply unhappy in their work (recent surveys range from over 25% in the US1 to 57% in Australia2). God never said work was going to be easy, but nor did he say it was meant be unfulfilling. In fact it should be satisfying and enjoyable.
There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work.
Ecclesiastes 3:22 (NLT)
The curse resulted in man having to work by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19), but work is a consequence of us being made in the image of our ‘creator’ God. In the beginning, God worked through the six days of creation and was very pleased with what he had accomplished.
And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely.
Genesis 1:31 (AMP)
We too, should be satisfied in our working lives. Unfortunately though, the curse that fell on the world after the fall of mankind has meant that there are many factors that contribute to unhappiness and lack of fulfilment in our work. For example: long, unsociable working hours; being under-valued; low wages; negative relationships, and office politics. Although these things will always happen, times are changing as people are looking to eradicate much of these negatives in their working lives.
More than ever before, in the West at least, entrepreneurially-spirited people are setting up their own businesses in an effort to take charge of their own futures. This may sound very liberating on the surface, but we first have to examine the reality that many of these people are experiencing.
THE RISKS
Take the statistics from the US Small Business Administration as an example. Results show that over half of all small businesses fail in their first year of trading. Moreover, 95% fail within the first five years. This doesn’t sound very inviting for the would-be entrepreneur, does it? The problem here is that people look at the figures and evaluate the whole process as being ‘too risky’.
But you have to bear in mind that the main reasons for new business ventures failing are down to reasons like lack of planning, insufficient capital and poor location. No one should ever underestimate the risks involved in starting up a new business; blind risk is totally different to calculated risk. By their very nature, an entrepreneur will thrive on calculated risk, but without research, knowledge, insight and understanding you would be acting foolishly.
Any enterprise is built upon wise planning, becomes strong through common sense and profits wonderfully by staying abreast of the facts.
Proverbs 24:3 (TLB)
THE REWARDS
So, undoubtedly there are greater risks, but there are also potentially far greater rewards for success, such as:
- Flexibility - you have the opportunity to manage your time as you wish, giving you the chance to work to your own priorities, and set your own work/life balance.
- Morals - ethical decisions can be made that glorify God.
- Finances - your hard work is directly rewarded rather than increasing profits for someone else. This increases the capacity to give financially to the work of God.
- Stewardship - you have the opportunity to invest the gift God has given you to optimum levels, rather than burying it as an employee.
- Adventure - a new venture is an adventure. Taking the journey with God can bring you to a greater level of trust, prayer and faith as he becomes the senior partner in your business.
- Control - you can make your own decisions and benefit from them.
- Security - if you lose a few customers as an employee, you could be sacked and your income can go down to zero overnight. But if you lose a few customers when you are self-employed, you may only lose a small percentage of your income.
TAKING ACTION
So, is God prompting you to make a radical change to your working life? Are you being called to ‘go it alone’ or to embark on a ‘start-up’ with other people? These are big decisions that need prayerful consideration and wisdom and advice from others around you. Take a look at yourself and evaluate how God has created you. If you feel that it’s right to fire your boss then that’s great – but don’t jump the gun! There is no rush, and it’s important to take one step at a time. Keeping God involved at every stage is vital to your success. Look out for the follow up article entitled ‘Fire Your Boss (Part 2) – Do it Slowly’ for more details.
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