Session 2 - God Owns My Business

Summary

In this session of 'Faith Driven Entrepreneur,' the concept of stewardship over ownership in business is explored. The video emphasizes that all resources belong to God, and entrepreneurs are merely stewards. It features Bertie Laurence, CEO of WASTEPLAN, who shares his journey of integrating faith into business, aiming for zero waste to landfill and using profits to support education and alleviate poverty in South Africa. The session challenges viewers to consider their businesses as God's and to use their success for His purposes, promoting a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.

Takeaways

• 😇 The concept of stewardship versus ownership is central to the Christian entrepreneur's perspective on business, emphasizing that all resources are gifts from God to be managed for His purposes.
• 🌿 Entrepreneurs are likened to stewards in God's kitchen, using the ingredients He provided to create, but not owning the ingredients themselves.
• 🛠️ The struggle with surrendering ownership to God is real, especially for those who have put in significant effort and risk to build their businesses.
• 💡 The idea that everything belongs to God challenges the traditional notion of personal ownership and success, prompting a shift in how entrepreneurs view their achievements.
• 🌱 A business owner's intentional act of giving shares to God symbolizes the ultimate surrender of ownership and a commitment to use business for divine purposes.
• 🌟 The story of WASTEPLAN in South Africa illustrates how a business can be a vehicle for environmental stewardship and social impact, aligning with Christian values.
• 📈 The pursuit of zero waste to landfill is a tangible goal for businesses to reduce environmental impact and align with a higher purpose.
• 🏫 NICA CAPITAL's mission to alleviate poverty through education in South Africa shows how business profits can be redirected to address social injustices and improve lives.
• 💼 The transformation of a business from a for-profit model to one that includes a non-profit structure can redefine the purpose and legacy of the company.
• 🌱 The principle of abundance in Christianity encourages entrepreneurs to see potential for wealth creation and sharing, rather than scarcity and competition.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the 'Faith Driven Entrepreneur' series?

The main theme of the 'Faith Driven Entrepreneur' series is exploring how the principles of the Gospel can shape an entrepreneur's approach to creating, leading, and stewarding their business in a way that aligns with their faith.

How does the concept of stewardship apply to entrepreneurship according to the transcript?

In the context of entrepreneurship, stewardship is viewed as the understanding that all resources, including business ideas and assets, are gifts from God. Entrepreneurs are seen as stewards who manage and cultivate these resources for God's purposes, rather than owners who possess them for personal gain.

What is the significance of the Garden of Eden story in the discussion of business stewardship?

The Garden of Eden story is used to illustrate the concept of stewardship over ownership. Adam was not the creator of the garden but its steward, tasked with cultivating it. This analogy is applied to entrepreneurs, suggesting they should view their businesses as entrusted to them by God for cultivation and service rather than as personal possessions.

What challenges does an entrepreneur face when trying to integrate faith into their business practices?

Entrepreneurs may face the challenge of reconciling their personal sense of ownership and accomplishment with the belief that all they have is a gift from God. This can create a tension between the desire to claim personal success and the need to acknowledge and submit to a higher purpose.

How does the idea of 'God owning the business' change the entrepreneur's perspective on business growth and success?

The idea that 'God owns the business' shifts the entrepreneur's perspective from personal achievement to divine purpose. Success and growth are seen as opportunities to serve God's kingdom, with the entrepreneur acting as a steward to maximize the impact of the business for spiritual and social good.

What is the role of the non-profit entity NICA CAPITAL in the story shared by Bertie Laurence?

NICA CAPITAL is a non-profit entity that was created to legally represent God as a shareholder in the business. It owns 51 percent of the business, ensuring that the company's profits are used to finance the Kingdom of Jesus and alleviate poverty through education, particularly in South Africa.

What is the 'Adopt a School Project' mentioned in the transcript?

The 'Adopt a School Project' is an initiative where NICA CAPITAL participates in five schools, focusing on teacher development and mentorship programs to improve the quality of education and support the holistic development of children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.

How does the concept of abundance in the script relate to the entrepreneur's approach to business?

The concept of abundance suggests that there is enough for everyone and encourages entrepreneurs to operate with a mindset of generosity and innovation. It challenges the scarcity mentality and promotes the idea that by investing and giving away resources, entrepreneurs can create more value and contribute to a society of abundance.

What is the significance of the biblical references to the idea of stewardship in the transcript?

Biblical references, such as those from Deuteronomy and Colossians, emphasize that everything belongs to God, reinforcing the concept of stewardship. These references guide entrepreneurs to view their resources and talents as gifts to be used for God's purposes, rather than personal ownership.

How does the transcript suggest entrepreneurs should approach the use of their financial success?

The transcript suggests that entrepreneurs should view their financial success as a means to increase their potential for impact in God's kingdom. They are encouraged to use their resources to sow into the kingdom, not just to build their own kingdoms, and to understand that God multiplies resources to increase the standard of giving, not just living.