Character Trait # 1: Identity

Let’s be honest. No one goes into business “not” to be successful. I think most entrepreneurs dream of being ridiculously successful. I do. A line from the first day’s reading in Donald Miller’s 2021 business best-seller, Business Made Simple, says, “How do we become ridiculously successful? By making other people absurdly successful!.”

But, is that statement in line with the Bible? I think the answer is: “Depends.” There are several examples in Scripture that back up the statement. Joseph’s story pops off the pages for example. As Egypt’s second in command he became ridiculously successful by making Pharaoh absurdly successful. David and Solomon are others. But do their stories make it OK to want to be ridiculously successful?

It Depends on WHY.

 Do you want to be ridiculously successful to advance your agenda or God’s agenda?

 If you want to be successful so you can:

●       care for the poor and the marginalized

●       seek justice for the oppressed

●       make the world a better place to live, work, and worship

I think the Bible is all over that. In fact, I think the God of the Bible is more pleased with non-Christians who use their success to benefit others, than with Christians who use their success to live lives of selfish indulgence and self-glory. When that’s the case, I don’t think the Bible has your back.

 So, what’s your motive? It makes all the difference.

What guardrails can you deploy to protect the motives of your heart?

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

The human proclivity to justify our own motives to ourselves is unbelievably powerful…and dangerous!

Character Trait #2: Perseverance

The inner strength to keep going when times are tough is a 2021 essential. Day Two’s reading in Business Made Simple puts it like this: “Those who journey the farthest will arrive with the most strength. Keep fighting. Don’t quit.”

A great word for that is perseverance. But is this something taught in the Bible?

Answer: Absolutely!

Just one example comes from the beginning of James letter to some people facing big-time challenges. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Two years ago I asked one of the best businessmen I’ve ever met what he was working on. Quoting James he said, “Count it all joy.”

His industry was brutal and had been for several months. He faced business challenges everywhere he looked. To face the challenge, rather than run from it, he was leaning into perseverance. And preaching the Bible and the Gospel to his own heart on a daily basis.

If there’s anything we’ve needed in 2020 and now in 2021, it’s inner strength. And it applies equally to business challenges and tests of our faith in Jesus.

What is causing you to lean into perseverance today? Who could help you with that?

Here at the CREO COLLECTIVE, we would love to help you reach your kingdom goals.

Glen Stevens is a former pastor turned spiritual entrepreneur. In 2020 he started a coaching business called Teleion, LLC. Through Teleion he helps ambitious business leaders who put a high value on faith and relationships to flourish by growing their companies and integrating their faith. This positions those leaders to make our world a better place to live, work, and worship for everyone. Simultaneously, Glen is launching a multiplying network of micro-churches that truly love people who are disinterested in and skeptical of any church they know of so they can experience the life-transforming love of Jesus.


Glen and his wife, Jill, live in Fargo, ND. They have four adult children. His business website is www.teleioncoaching.com