What I like most about Matt Bell's new book "The Kingdom Empowered Entrepreneur" is that it focuses on values and inspiration. This combination is not seen as often and so critical to supporting an entrepreneur who is eager to incorporate their faith into their work.
Matt chose a very practical format for his book. It is essentially a 30-day guide to reframing your entrepreneurship efforts in light of the Kingdom. So each day has Scripture, application, prayer and several questions for you to work on. He has broken the book into key sections that work you from a core understanding of who you are as an entrepreneur in Christ all the way to the daily work you need to be doing in light of your identity. The 7 sections are: Identity, Purpose, Trust, Gifts, Overcoming, Blessings, Action.
As I read it, I came away with an overwhelmingly optimistic message that is grounded in the daily realities of the innovator. Matt stays focused on what life in the Kingdom should be like if we are walking with Jesus but he also acknowledges the many challenges, failures and barriers that we will face. This optimistic approach, grounded in Jesus' strength, rather than our own, was refreshing.
With so much talk of "blessings," I was concerned that he might be leaning towards the prosperity gospel message that we see in evangelical churches around the globe. However, as I dug into what Matt is saying, his use of blessing is very Biblical. He is challenging us to reach for what God has promised us without apology, but recognizing that those blessings take the form of what God wants for us instead of what we selfishly want in order to be comfortable or wealthy. In fact, we need more encouragement to expect God's blessings when we walk in His ways and do His will. He promises to provide for us richly if we are aligned with His purposes and committed to His Kingdom and not our own.
If you are a Christian entrepreneur or innovator, I would recommend you consider taking this 30-day challenge. Buy the book and start it on the first day of the month. Then read it faithfully each day; working through the Scripture, prayers and activities. I guarantee that you will be grounded, encouraged and propelled to greater acts of faith because you invested in this effort.
Here are some of the best quotes from the book:
- "And as Christian entrepreneurs, we know that God is the one who is doing the calling." pg. 57
- "If you are walking with the Lord, though you may have moments of going this way and going that way, you will not go astray." pg. 68
- "As an entrepreneur it is critically important to stay focused on where you are going, not what you are going through." pg. 74
- "...we must invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in our businesses with us so that we remain continuously in tune with God's voice throughout the day." pg. 78
- "In order for our plans to succeed we must first put God in charge of our work. " pg. 83
- "God looks for people who seek Him and will follow the desires He has placed in their hearts regardless of what the path to achieving those desires looks like." pg. 128
- "Your current situation does not dictate your outcome. God will guide your outcome." pg. 142
- "The source of the creativity of the entire universe dwells inside of every believer." pg. 176
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