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Entrepreneurialism and Denying the Faith
We could talk about easy, vague stuff today like, “You should be a good person”, and, “Be more loving”. But what would the fun in that be?
No, today I want to talk about a difficult situation for most people. Something that entrepreneurs or people who want to be entrepreneurs need to be thinking about before they jump into this mass of unpredictable, swirling water.
It’s not about raising money or business plans or “how to sell for non-salespeople”. No, it’s about if becoming an entrepreneur will have you denying the faith.
Doesn’t that sound like fun?
ENTREPRENEURIALISM AND DENYING THE FAITH
Okay, so here’s a lovely passage of Scripture. We’re only concerned with the last (bolded) part, but the rest of it is a nice Monday punch-right-between-the-eyes, so I included it, too. You’re welcome.
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
-1st Timothy 5:3-8 (bolding obviously mine)
Okay, so if you’re not providing for your family, you are denying the faith. I may not be a Greek scholar, but I’m guessing that the whole “denying the faith” thing is negative.
A much more motivational way to think about it is that if you’re not providing for your family, it’s like saying, “I don’t believe there is a God.” I didn’t say good. I said motivational.
WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ENTREPRENEURS?
So, if you want to go into business for yourself, generally speaking, you’re going to have to “economize”. In other words, there isn’t going to be much money coming in for awhile, so make sure that all of your eating is essential.
While it might only last for a season, there’s certainly no guarantee of that. So, the big questions for entrepreneurs (and those who want to be) is what qualifies as “providing for your family”.
I’ve been watching some of those invention shows on TV (I love inventions!) and so many of those people have a story where the house is about to be foreclosed on, the family is staying with relatives, and this is their last stop before complete destitution. I remember one father that had a few kids who were living in their car all in service of the invention.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that is not providing for your family.
But then there’s a large, gray area between “living in the car” and “the standard of living we’ve become accustomed to”. During the time that Timothy wrote, much of the Middle East was (and still is) living in conditions that we’d consider deplorable.
And, yet, they qualified as, “providing for his family”. So, what about us?
HAS THE DEFINITION OF “PROVIDING” CHANGED OVER TIME?
Honestly, I’d like to hear what all of you have to say about this. I have my own understanding of this, but I’m not any more of an expert than any of you.
Take some time to think about what this really means. Heck - go crazy and ask God.
Then tell us all what you think about this - especially you entrepreneurs.
Where is the line between “providing” and “denying the faith”? Is it different for each person? Is it different over time?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Enjoy the Search!
-Dan
Photo by: Pittsinger
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