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THE MAKING OF A CHRISTIAN ENTREPRENEUR
MANUAL
“It’s Business by the book, when God is your CEO”
To become a successful Christian Entrepreneur, you must think like an employer, but act like an employee.
JALEXANDER
This project “The Making Of A Christian Entrepreneur” is dedicated to all the
“Dreamers of The World”
CONTENTS
How To Use This Manual
Childhood Dreams
A Single Step
Introduction
PART ONE – THE JOURNEY
Lesson 1 – Become A Believer
Lesson 2 – God And Choosing Your Business
Lesson 3 – Asking God To Bless Your Business
Lesson 4 – What Gives A Christian Business Meaning
Lesson 5 – Your Purpose In Your Business
Lesson 6 – Your Faith In Your Business
Lesson 7 – Your Presence In Your Business
Lesson 8 – Do You Understand Why You’re In Business
Lesson 9 – Finding Grace In Your Business
Lesson 10 – Finding Balance In Your Business
Lesson 11 – Your Attitude In Business
Lesson 12 – Your Integrity In Business
Lesson 13 – Healthy You Healthy Business
Lesson 14 – Your Family And Your Business
Lesson 15 – Godly Thinking In Business
Lesson 16 – Your Commitment to your Business
Lesson 17 – Finances And Your Business
Lesson 18 – Magnificence In Your Business
Lesson 19 – Relationships In Your Business
Lesson 20 – Values In Your Business
Lesson 21 – Prioritizing In Business
Lesson 22 – Courage In Business
How To Use This Manual
Short and quick answer: Any way you want!
Longer answer: This isn’t your regular business book. For one thing, it’s Christian. Of course, you don’t have to be a believer to get some great advice out of it, but you will need to have a personal relationship with God to receive everything it has to offer. I have discovered in all of my other Christian books; believers tend to enjoy them more.
I used a manual format (made up of 60 lessons) so you the user, can return or start on any lesson you choose. Each lesson is intended to demonstrate a particular Chapter of the Bible. I doubt you would want to read them all in one lesson. My intention instead is to give you an inspiring collection of lessons to help you to “Do Business By The Book.” So, feel free to jump around and read them out of sequence – an order which, I confess, is largely arbitrary anyway.
What does It Mean To Be A Christian Entrepreneur?
Christians in the business world need to understand that their identity and their work is based on God and not on themselves. Jesus Christ is the center from which everything flows. The same is true of our generosity. It does not come from our wealth but from God’s abundant supply.
Entrepreneurs are divided into two groups. Entrepreneurs who just happen to be Christians, and great Christians who just happen to be entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs who are Christians think of themselves as entrepreneurs first and as Christians second, while the opposite is true for Christians who are entrepreneurs. This group gets their identity from God, and the other group get their identity from how successful their business is, at any given time.
“Life is about choices!”
How Christian Entrepreneurs Can Change The World
The Apostle Paul used his tent making company to show Jesus’s model for discipleship. He used his entrepreneurship to love people, preach the Gospel, and teach the word.
Paul made spiritual instruction seem natural and not forced and uncomfortable as he went through his daily routine. He provided a model that is easy for us to follow as we try to make a difference in the lives of those who look to us as partners and mentors.
We can all live more like Jesus if we, live out the Gospel, love people, teach the Word, and build genuine relationships with fellow believers.
God help me to be the person you want me to be, and do the things that will glorify Your name.
CHILDHOOD DREAMS
Dreams are not just random thoughts. They are who and what we could become!
It’s early Saturday morning and once again I can’t sleep. I’m sure the reason for my insomnia has everything to do with a book I’m reading called “GOD IS MY CEO” by Larry Julian. I have this annoying habit or maybe it’s just because I’m a dreamer, but for whatever reason, I’m naïve. I have convinced myself on many occasions that all I had to do was buy some books on any subject, read them a few times, and then I’d be as successful as the author. Wrong! Although I had many examples, the one that stands out the most was when I wanted to learn how to play an instrument, “the guitar”. I thought all I had to do was buy a book, get a few pointers from a friend, and presto in a week or two I would be playing on stage with Jimmy Hendrix. I guess you missed that show, I’m sure it was called Woodstock, but that’s another story.
I have always enjoyed reading a book that has those little paragraphs in boxes that highlight important messages. They help when you want to review a page or a section, so, I’ll use some of mine own, and some that have been around for a long time.
“Never be naïve, about being naïve”
I guess I should start at the beginning. Have you ever heard the sound of a ruler hitting a wooden desk? It’s like someone throwing cold water on you when you’ve been asleep, not nice. Not only does it snap you!
Back to reality but also anyone else within earshot. Especially if they, like you, where in a state of suspended animation. Daydreaming!
If for some strange reason this loud noise didn’t bring me out of my trance the slap to the back of the head by Sister Augustine surely got my attention. This 120-year-old sister new how to control a class, her motto was: I was sent by God to teach, and by God, you are going to learn even if I have to beat it into you.
My imagination ran wild 24 hours per day. I was born in a small fishing and mining town in Cape Britton, Nova Scotia, called Glace Bay.
Growing up in a setting like this with its forts, islands and great folklore would have sparked the imagination of any normal child, unfortunately I was not your normal or average 8-year-old. My every waken hour and most of my sleep was filled with adventure. I was the king of pirates and anyone who played in my imaginary world new that they would be under my command or would play the part of my sworn enemy.
My summer days were spent on these islands, with or without my friends. I’m sure it was because I was filled with so much make believe that I didn’t need anyone around me. I could play for hours, all by myself, from morning till night.
I’m sure spending all that time alone helped me as I grew up “some would say, I still haven’t” but that’s okay. To me, being an adult without childhood dreams would be like owning a car without a motor or wheels. So, if you didn’t have a happy childhood, start one now.
I also had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, although at 7 years old in the early 1950’s, I couldn’t even pronounce that word, and I definitely didn’t know what it meant.
I’d like to share a few silly stories about my life as a very poor young boy. Having nothing wasn’t a big deal in those days. Because everyone was in the same boat. If you didn’t own a business, or you weren’t a professional, you were poor.
Anyway, here are a few more stories.
The first one involved my Father and Uncle (George and John) they were part-time coal miners and full-time thieves and alcoholics. One day they decided to go into the chicken business. I don’t mean raising and selling legally, oh no! They were going to steal them and sell them to whoever wanted to buy them. It’s what they called the black market.
Anyway, they decided that the first two or three chickens they get would go into the pot and (not for sale). I should tell you that all members of the police force were members of a family from that town. Well, it just so happens that the two policemen who were sent to our house to investigate the chicken robbery were cousins (Jim and Bobby Campbell). After having a feed of chicken soup, my Dad said he would keep a look out for any poachers in the neighborhood.
Another little story that I’d like to tell you about is my first attempt at running my own business (I was 9). I had this great idea for making money. I would go into people’s backyards and cut down their fences and then go around to the front and sell the wood to the owner for (kennel wood) small pieces of wood to start a fire. This went on for a few weeks until I got caught red-handed one Saturday morning when old Mr. Jenkins was sitting on his porch watching me cutting down his new white fence. That day I went from owning a business to being on the business end of my Mothers leather belt.
I’m sure you readers have similar stories about your first venture into the world of entrepreneurship.
1) “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood, even if it’s only in your mind.”
2) I have always said, I may be getting older, but I refuse to grow up.
3) “No buddy can make his or her mind grow up, it’s voluntary.”
So, let’s talk about growing up.
I read the other day in one of our local newspapers that a young person, I think in their teens was going to write a column giving advice to people concerning such topics as: Love, Career, Business and Health. Wow! Can you imagine the pressure on this individual being an expert in all these fields at such a young age? I just turned 76 in November 2021, and I can say without a doubt, that I’m not an expert at anything, not even when it comes to living. I don’t know how long it takes to be an expert in your field or profession, but I do know we allow people to make this assumption all the time. We take peoples advice willingly and without so much as a thought as to the validity or accuracy of that advice.
One profession that comes to mind is fortune telling. I won’t be giving you my opinion on this subject. I’ll just say they have not made a believer out of me, and I know for a fact that they never will.
Another area I have a problem with is advice. I can understand when it comes from family or friends, but I draw the line when it comes from strangers. It’s amazing how we put our faith in people we don’t even know. How many times during our day do we ask someone or Google to recommend an expert to help us solve a problem or situation. And then without question, we take his or her advice as Gospel and defend it without checking it out.
A major problem in society today is that anyone can call himself or herself whatever they want. Terms like professional, expert, and best in his or her field and many other handles are thrown around, and we don’t even question them as true. The only time we challenge these experts is when something goes wrong or when mistakes are made. This is when a lot of these self-proclaimed professionals show their true colors. They will deny and swear that it was you who misunderstood, and even when it’s in writing, they will still argue, and in some cases, purge him or her in a court of law.
“To ere is human, to forgive is not always our first choice.”
“Always remember, we all make mistakes. But it is always a sad day when some professions don’t have to admit them.”
The 3 lessons I hope you take with you are: Don’t be naïve. Don’t be naïve. Don’t be naïve.
JALEXANDER
A SINGLE STEP (to life and Business)
This very old saying “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Is still true today.
I first heard this quote in a Tarzan Movie when I was about 10 years old. Even though it made sense at the time it wasn’t until I got older trouble starting new projects that this cliché would take on new meaning.
I am an inventor, at least that’s what I tell people. I didn’t say I was an expert just an inventor. An inventor according to the dictionary means, someone who has invented something new Examples: The light bulb, The Telephone and The TV to mention just a few. An innovator on the other hand is a person who combines two or more inventions creating a new product. Examples: A notebook, a broom or mop, etc.
I have during the past 25 years compiled a list of over 125 innovations. Some of these are patented, some have prototypes and all have drawings and descriptions. I’m telling you this because not one has made me a penny. I have over the years used every excuse in the book, and I still do till this day. I blame everyone but myself for my inability to bring any of these products to market.
It’s obvious, because you bought this book, you’re in the same boat. It matters not that you have 100 ideas for a business or an invention, if you can’t get it to market it’s basically worthless.
Oh, by the way: “If you can think of a business or product, so can a thousand other people.”
The trick is, who is willing and able to bring it to market, first! There are many reasons why it won’t be you.
- You won’t show it to anyone, because you protect it like it’s your
- You won’t take on a partner; because you’ll have to share the profits with them and why should you it’s your invention.
- You don’t have the Money or the Know How.
These 3 challenges are the main reasons why I’m writing this manual “The Making of a Christian Entrepreneur.”
Just so that we are on the same page, if this book or any future books by me or by someone else, are to be of any use, you have to have a product/service to work with. I maybe stating the obvious, but you would be surprise if you new the number of people out there, who are carrying their brain child idea around in their heads.
You cannot patent an idea for a business or a product. It has to be tangible, otherwise it doesn’t fall into categories such as Intellectual Property, copywriting, etc.
So, with this in mind, get your idea out of your head and down on paper. It does not have to be pretty, or to scale, just a rough idea will do. By the way, this is not nuclear science! I guess I should apologize to those of you who think I am getting too basic with my instructions; well I don’t! Everything is easy once you know how to do it.
A word on advice:
If you tell anyone about your idea for a business, you’ll get a hundred suggestions on how to proceed. The first one you will probably hear, if you are an inventor, is to register your idea by sending it to yourself. While this may be okay if you want to keep it for your personal records, but just so you know, when it comes to the law, this action won’t stand up in court.
You’ll see in this manual and in future books, we will be analyzing and dissecting most small businesses. Without exception, the principals and guidelines for all entrepreneurs, no matter what business they are in, are the same.
As I stated in my introduction there is no one book or person that you can follow and duplicate and come out with their exact results. Of course, you can choose to not take anyone’s advice, and keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
“You are going to make mistakes,
But hopefully, you’ll only make them once.”
Complacent/Comfortable
These two words should bring wonderful feelings of joy to your hectic life. The thought of retirement in a few years, that promotion you sacrificed your time and health to achieve. How about that relationship that now gives you all the love and security you wished for?
Warning! Contentment to an entrepreneur is like kryptonite to Superman. It drains your energy, and like a big Christmas diner it leaves you bloated, slow, and the feeling that you want to lay down on the nearest couch.
You may not want to hear this, or like what I’m about to say, but here it is anyway. (except for God) “It’s you against the world!” There is no you and me or you and them, it’s only you, a one-person army. I’m not saying you won’t at times have a few allies. You will need them to bring you much needed supplies, and maybe even fight a few battles with you, but when it’s all said and done, there is only you, and if you are not giving 100%, then you probably won’t win.
Stay hungry and stay motivated!
I know there is someone reading this section and saying, “I’ll never be alone if you have a lot of money” this is true in some cases, but if you remember what money can’t buy such as: books, but not knowledge, medication, but not health, a house, but not a home and of course one of the most important lessons learned over the past 100 years happened in the computer world. Billions and billions of dollars were lost because a lot of investors didn’t learn any lessons from the past and honestly believed that money could buy anything.
We will be discussing money in a few lessons, but for now, all I will say is, that money can be a good friend, or an unrelenting adversary.
So, getting back to being too content for our own good! I’m definitely not saying that you should be strung out to the point where your health is at stake. What I’m saying is that a little stress can be good for you. There are three ways to play the game of life. (compared to Baseball and Chess)
- We all know what it’s like to be in the game.
- At one time or another we have all sat on the bench.
- The third way is to go through life as a spectator, and I can safely say that this is the least rewarding of the three.
Have you ever watched two people playing chess, if you haven’t, don’t! It can be one of the most frustrating experience of your life! An observer always sees the game a different way then the players. This is like a stranger trying to tell you how you should be running your life. The game of Chess has been used as an analogy to compare battles, wars, and ultimately to the struggles and pitfalls of life. In chess as in life, we need to plan ahead. In life, as in chess, we need to keep in mind that even though we lose some battles, we can still win the war.
Cliché time again:
“We don’t plan to fail; we fail to plan!” I wish I could think of the authors name, so I could give them credit for this quote, but I guess if you get out of it what I did, then that alone will be their own just reward.
Unlike Chess, except for the fact that we have to play alone, life offers us the opportunity to choose teammates. These teammates, partners and allies, must be selected with great care. In some cases, it could be a matter of life or death. If you think I’m trying to scare you, you are absolutely right! To win in the game of life, you must surround yourself with allies that share your beliefs, your principles, and your sense of right and wrong.
I’m not talking about, nationality, color, or business background. I’m referring to people who are honest to a fault. Just for the record, if you find one or two of these people, you need to cherish them, and don’t just promise, but give them the world. What they will give you in return, will be priceless!
If you have read, or someone told you that being a Christian entrepreneur would be easy, “surprise” they lied! I don’t think anyone in this day and age, believes that running a business only requires minimal effort (except those who believe in Get Rich Quick schemes) but, just in case there is, here is a well-known statistic. 9 out of 10 new business fail within the first two years. You shouldn’t despair, because you could be that 1, but you’re going to need more than a few dollars and a little bit luck.
I can’t stress how important it is to find the right people to help you, and in return, I hope you give back more than you take!
How to start:
Step one – I explained in the first part of this section that you need, no must, have a product or service, a drawing, description and complete knowledge of your idea before you try to start a business or launch a product. This may be a no brainer to some, but for others who think they can go on gut feelings and without direction, will surely be on the road to failure.
Step two – Even if you are going to finance this project completely by yourself, at some point you will have to involve other people. So, I suggest you start at this stage to find the help you will eventually need.
After you have read everything in print and that can be an enormous task. You will need to make human contact.
The best way to do this is to join a group, a club, or an organization. You need to be around people who share your interest in what you are doing. Most of these clubs screen their members and especially new comers. I belong to an organization that helps people with their inventions and I was so impressed after the first meeting, that I didn’t read anymore books for at least 3 months. Always participate completely in every meeting. Collect and give your contact information. Join all workshops and groups and before long you will discover that you have a lot to contribute. We all know that the more you give, the more you receive.
Step Three – Follow up all business leads, and treat every contact with the respect you would like in return.
Step Four – The information highway is a two-way street. If you continue to take and not give, you will soon find yourself out of the loop. I truly believe that there are more givers than takers in this world, but that maybe just my naivety showing through. Sometimes when we are learning, we get caught up in situations where we can only receive, but we should always remember that, a favor given is a favor owed.
Playing the role:
Have you ever heard the expression “You have to “Walk The Walk and Talk The Talk?” Well, this has never been truer than in the business world. Well maybe in love, but we won’t go there!
I will be devoting an entire lesson on Attitude, but I would like to just say a few words at this time, on this very important subject. Attitude like money is everything, I repeat everything! With a great attitude and a little money, you will have a great start to owning the world. Because the one who brings the right attitude will win every time. With the right attitude even losing, which is something we will be doing all our lives, will be taken in stride.
“Show me the person who has never lost, and I’ll show you a person who has never played the game!”
We will all feel within our life time, “The thrill of Victory, and the agony of Defeat.” It matters not how many times we get knocked down, it’s how many times we get back up.
It is my hope that you will read and use over and over again the information not only in this manual, but all of the great knowledge that has been passed on to you through the years.
“Business like Life, is a journey, not a destination.”
Introduction
Attention: This is not a “Get Rich Quick System.” If you’re looking for a way to get into business with very little effort, you should close this book and go online and find the latest Fad or Pyramid Scheme.
But, if you’re looking for a business that will last and prosper, while promoting Our Lord and Savior, then this manual is for you. This book will not only help you to create and run a great business, you’ll build a company that God will say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
If you intend to have a business that will make you rich, have a 10-room house, and a car or two, that’s okay with God. He wants you to have all these things and more. But, without God, these things will only give you a sense of accomplishment and worth, here on earth.
I’m sure you know that you came into this world with nothing, and that’s how you will leave it.
Your way of life shows that you have made a choice to love money, not God.
So, whatever stage your life and business are at, you need to give them to God.
Make the right choice, from the very start! Build up your treasures in Heaven, and not here on earth.
I would say without exception, of the 1000’s of books written in the past 50 years pertaining to business, most were written after the author had obtained some or a large degree of success. This would be compared to a travel reporter writing his/her entire report without notes or pictures strictly from memory. I don’t think the editor would be impressed.
I sure that if you have dreamed of being an entrepreneur, you have probably read everything in print on your chosen field. I also know that you believe, the book you just started, is the one that will catapult you to your rightful place in the business world. Well, I don’t want to be the one to burst your bubble, but even if you followed the author’s instructions “mine included” to the letter, you will still need God and a lot of hard work.
I’m sure you must be thinking that if I have success with this manual, I will be like all the other successful business authors and retire and never have to write again. I don’t know of any author in history that stopped at one successful novel.
Someone once told me that a person should learn from others mistakes, because we’re not going to live long enough to make them all ourselves. This is true in all aspects of our lives, but especially true in Love and Business.
This is not an account of my life over the past 40 years, even though I started with nothing and I still have half of it left. My goal is to help a few people realize their dreams.
This cliché is old, but it remains true “The Dream Never Dies, Only The Dreamer,” so always remember, “Success is just a dream come true.”
Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Please walk with me on that long journey, into your future.
J Alexander