God is entrepreneurial, and as his image bearers, we are wired to create, innovate, and multiply. It’s in our very design.
Isaiah 43:19 reminds us of his creative nature: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God doesn’t just create; he invests in us with purpose. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 reveals his desire for us to use what we’ve been given—not to “conserve” it or bury it, but to multiply it. In the parable, the master praises the servant who took risks and grew what was entrusted to him:
“‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” – Matthew 25:20-21.
But the servant who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked sharply:“You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest” – Matthew 25:26-27.
This strong statement reminds us that fear and inaction are not acceptable excuses in God’s eyes. He expects us to take risks, innovate, and build something meaningful with the gifts he has entrusted to us.
What it means to be entrepreneurial
The word entrepreneur comes from the French entreprendre, meaning “to undertake.” That’s what entrepreneurs do—they undertake bold challenges to create a better future.
Entrepreneurship isn’t limited to running a business. It’s about taking risks, challenging the status quo, and creating something that honors God and impacts others.
- A church leader is a social entrepreneur, shaping culture and vision.
- A stay-at-home parent is a family entrepreneur, building a legacy of values and love.
- A corporate professional is a business entrepreneur, innovating to create new opportunities.
God’s entrepreneurial nature is woven into us. If you can vividly imagine the future God has in store for you – if you can almost taste it – you’re already halfway there. But imagination alone isn’t enough. The parable of the talents makes it clear: God’s expectation of multiplication applies everywhere, including the workplace where we spend most of our time.
Fear and the illusion of limited resources
What holds us back? Fear.
The third servant in the parable buried his talent, driven by fear and a scarcity mindset. He believed he didn’t have enough to risk losing what little he had. How often do we feel the same way?
But here’s the truth: God doesn’t expect perfection. He honors bold faith, even in the face of failure. Most successful entrepreneurs don’t hit their stride until their mid-40s, often after multiple failures. Life is messy and unpredictable, but God calls us to move forward in faith, not to hold back in fear.
Dreaming big in a Soviet classroom
As a teenager in the USSR, where entrepreneurial activity was illegal, I often found myself bored in class. My ADHD didn’t help, nor did the monotony of the Soviet educational system.
Instead of taking notes, I sketched logos of Western brands like Adidas, Nike, and Coca-Cola – symbols of creativity, freedom, and opportunity. While my teachers explained quadratic equations, I was perfecting the Coca-Cola logo.
When the Soviet Union collapsed, everything changed. Free enterprise became possible. For those of us eager to take risks, it opened doors we had only dreamed about.
Those doodles came to life. As a recording artist, I landed endorsement deals with Adidas, Guess, and Head & Shoulders shampoo. My commercials aired in 15 countries, and I worked with top directors and producers.
The artists who inspired me, like Michael Jackson, became part of my story. Michael attended one of our charity events, and I collaborated with the producer of KISS in Los Angeles.
None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t taken risks and multiplied what God had given me.
What it takes to multiply your talents
You don’t need to start a billion-dollar company or make headlines by 20. You just need to imagine what’s possible and take the first step, even if success feels uncertain.
These four qualities define those who succeed at creating a new future:
- They vividly imagine the future. They see, feel, and taste the life they’re building, and that vision fuels them through challenges.
- They invest what they have. Time, treasure, and talent are poured into something that feels real enough to be worth the effort.
- They actively learn. They grow their skills to bridge the gap between where they are now and where they want to go.
- They seek guidance. Coaching, mentorship, and community accelerate progress by offering direction and insight.
Does this resonate with you?
If this resonates with you, I’m hosting two free webinars for Christian professionals:
- How to Recalibrate or Reinvent Your Career: February 5 at Noon CST
- How to Integrate Work and Faith by Elevating Purpose and Performance: March 5 at Noon CST
For weekly strategies on success and significance, sign up for my newsletter at www.christianrayflores.com
Christian Ray Flores is an evangelist, entrepreneur, and business coach living in Austin, TX. Follow him on social networks here.
