How Did Jesus Do Business? What is Jesus Christ to you? To some, he’s the greatest human who ever lived. To others, he’s the saviour of the world. To me, he’s the greatest entrepreneur ever!
Why?
Because he invented salvation and helped mankind solve our greatest problem ever; eternal life!
Jesus didn’t just die so you can make heaven. He died so you can also reign on earth by building a business that matters, change the world and profit from purpose!
The 7 Business Principles Of Jesus Christ
The story of Jesus Christ is the most told story in the whole of human history. This is because it contains so much valuable lessons that have powerful impact on people.
In the spirit of Easter, I bring you seven unusual business lessons from the life of the greatest entrepreneur ever – Jesus Christ!
1) Purpose – why do you exist?
This is where it all begins in business as well as in life. Unless the end is as clear as crystal, it’s impossible to achieve greatness.
Jesus had a clear purpose for coming into the world – to save humanity from eternal damnation and give eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" – John 3:16
As entrepreneur, Jesus knew what is business was; to die so that you and I can have eternal life.
Great entrepreneurs begin with the end in mind. They have a clear purpose why they are in business. As a matter of fact, they started business to fulfill that purpose.
To them, business is how they fulfill purpose. You can only build something great if you started with something great in mind.
2) Message – what is your gospel?
Gospel means good news. As an entrepreneur, Jesus had a gospel (message) he really wanted people to hear. His message was very compelling:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you" – Matt. 6:33
This is a very compelling story. The idea of going after only one thing (kingdom of heaven) and having every other thing else is definitely a good news many people would love to hear.
As an entrepreneur, what is your message?
Having a compelling message is crucial to your entrepreneurial success. A message is the foundation of all your marketing and the essence of your brand. Without one, your marketing will be ineffective.
3) Positioning – who are your target market?
No one business can single-handedly meet the needs of everyone. The whole world is not your target market; even Jesus recognized this brutal fact.
"[…] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" – Matt. 9:13
As an entrepreneur, this is a major mistake you must avoid. Not everyone is your potential customer.
You have to differentiate and position your business so that those who will value what you are offering (product/service) can identify you easily.
Jesus didn’t stay in the church like a pastor would; he was on the street in search of those who were lost. The lost don’t come to church; they are in the world and Jesus understood this perfectly.
Positioning is about identifying your target market and going to them where they are with a message they want to hear.
Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Be something to someone – positioning!
4) Discipleship – who are your vision partners?
No great thing was ever achieved single-handedly by an individual.
Jesus didn’t attempt to save the lost all by himself despite all his divine powers. He enlisted the help of others who were gifted in diverse areas.
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men" – Matt. 4:19
Why did he do this?
The reason is so simple, but not so obvious.
Jesus realized he wasn’t omnipresent –being everywhere at the same time. He knew he was going to die on the cross for the sin of mankind.
He had to raise others who would succeed him and carry on the gospel (message) while he was gone. These were his 12 disciples.
As an entrepreneur, are you trying to go it all by yourself?
This is how many end up in the deadliest business trap ever. You must realize that you are not going to be here forever. What you build should outlive you. The best way to do this is to institutionalize your business by working with a team of vision partners.
While I do understand that at first you might start out alone, this is no excuse not to seek out vision partners along the way.
Great businesses are not the result of an individual, but the collective efforts of several individuals.
5) Innovation – where are your signs and wonders?
Being great is not by mouth.
Being great is a function of impact – signs and wonders.
Great entrepreneurs are great because they make great things happen.
Jesus is the greatest entrepreneur ever because he was the most innovative ever.
Jesus healed the sick.
Jesus made the blind see.
Jesus walked on water.
Jesus turned water to wine.
Jesus rose the dead.
Jesus rose up from dead.
Above all, Jesus invented salvation, mankind’s passport to life after death.
As an entrepreneur, your greatness is tied to how much great things you can make happen. Jesus made great things happen. He performed signs and wonders. He made impossible possible.
And here’s what He has to say to you about innovation;
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father" – John 14:12
6) Profitability – how much souls/customers are you winning?
Great entrepreneurs build profitable businesses.
As there are two kinds of business – good and great – there are also two types of profit: kind and cash.
In Jesus’ case, his profit was in kind.
His profitability is measured by the number of lives he saved. His business is saving lives so his bottom-line is measured in kind not in cash.
As an entrepreneur, part of building a business that matters is being profitable. As a matter of fact, the more your business matters, the more profitable you become.
Businesses that matter make these two types of profit: kind and cash.
Your profit in kind is the ‘good’ [impact] your goods and service is having in people’s lives.
Your profit in cash is the money you are paid in exchange for the goods and services you provide.
Both are essential to your entrepreneurial success. In fact, your profit in cash is determined by your profit in kind.
The origin of both types of profit is value. It’s the good in your product/service that attracts people to pay you money in exchange for it.
"The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered" – Prov. 11:25
7) Legacy – what will you be remembered for?
The true mark of great entrepreneurs is their ability to leave a mark in the sand of time.
Every December, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Every Easter, we celebrate his death and resurrection.
This is a man who lived over 2,000 years ago and yet the world hasn’t ceased to remember Him year after year.
Why?
Because his legacy leaves on.
Jesus is not the only entrepreneur who has been able to achieve this feat. There are others like Him whose legacy transcends their lifetime and are remembered throughout history.
But in His case, He gave his life to fulfill the purpose of the business.
"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" – Matt. 20:28
Great entrepreneurs use their lives to fight for a cause.
What are you prepared to die for?
What cause are you fighting with your life?
Conclusion
To do business like Jesus, you have to follow his seven business principles:
1) Purpose – why do you exist?
2) Message – what is your gospel?
3) Positioning – who are your target market?
4) Discipleship – who are your vision partners?
5) Innovation – where are your signs and wonders?
6) Profitability – how much souls/customers are you winning?
7) Legacy – what will you be remembered for?
Your Turn
How has the life and principles of Jesus Christ impacted how you do business?
