“Wherever true Christianity spreads, it must cause diligence and frugality, which, in the natural course of things, must beget riches! And riches naturally beget pride, love of the world, and every temper that is destructive of Christianity. Now, if there be no way to prevent this, Christianity is inconsistent with itself and, of consequence, cannot stand, cannot continue long among any people; since, wherever it generally prevails, it saps its own foundation”
—John Wesley, 1789 (Hamilton.)
It certainly is true that many Christians, such as John Wesley, believe that being an entrepreneur and the accumulation of wealth is sinful. However, the truth is that being an entrepreneur can be a selfless calling, in the same vein as a calling to become a minister. Along this line of reasoning, maximizing shareholder value should not be the number one objective of the firm, which is contrary to what students are taught in business school. The more important objectives for a Christian entrepreneur should be that of stewardship, service, principles, and economic sustainability, which are the real underpinnings of the firm.
Christians believe that God is active in the process of beckoning people to the work of ministry, guiding and shaping people in their choices to become ministers or priests. While it is true that people choose the ministry, it is also true that they are chosen for the ministry by God. In other words, God calls people to the ministry (Explore Ministry, Recognizing a Calling.) It appears that most people fail to associate Christian entrepreneurs and their firms as ministries. Purpose, stewardship, service, principles, economic sustainability, and philanthropy are over-lapping values carried by individuals ...