Five Requirements of Success: A Guide for the Entrepreneur
Success is not an accident. It’s not a stroke of luck or a random gift bestowed upon the fortunate few. From a biblical perspective, success is a purposeful pursuit, a calling rooted in the stewardship of God-given talents and the courage to step into the unknown with faith. As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that the drive to create, build, and impact the world mirrors the creative nature of God Himself. In Genesis 1:28, God commands us to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” This is not a passive suggestion—it’s an entrepreneurial mandate to take dominion over our sphere of influence.
Through years of study and real-world experience, I’ve identified five biblical requirements for success that every entrepreneur must embrace: Vision, Strategy, Resources, Hard Work, and Commodity of Exchange. Beyond these, there’s a bonus factor—the eternal factor—that transforms success into significance. Let’s explore these principles and see how they align with Scripture and the entrepreneurial drive.
1. Vision: Seeing Beyond the Horizon
Proverbs 29:18 declares, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision is the starting point of all success. It’s the ability to see what others cannot—a future that doesn’t yet exist. For the entrepreneur, vision is the spark that ignites innovation. Think of Abraham, called out of Ur to a land he’d never seen (Genesis 12:1). He didn’t have a map, but he had a promise.
Your vision must be bold, God-sized, and specific. It’s not enough to dream vaguely of “doing well.” What problem are you called to solve? What legacy are you building? Write it down, as Habakkuk 2:2-3 instructs, and let it guide your every decision. Without vision, your entrepreneurial journey lacks direction, and you’ll wander aimlessly.
2. Strategy: The Blueprint of Dominion
Vision without a plan is just a daydream. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Success requires strategy—a deliberate, actionable plan rooted in wisdom.
In business, strategy is your roadmap. It’s how you’ll bring your vision to life. Joseph exemplified this in Genesis 41, devising a plan to store grain during seven years of plenty to survive the famine. Entrepreneurs must ask: How will I reach my market? What steps will I take? A clear strategy turns your vision into a tangible reality, aligning your efforts with God’s principles of order and preparation.
3. Resources: Stewarding What’s in Your Hand
No entrepreneur succeeds alone. Exodus 4:2 shows God asking Moses, “What is that in your hand?” Moses had a staff—a simple tool—but God used it to part the Red Sea. Resources are the tools, people, and opportunities God places in your path. Success demands that you identify and steward them wisely.
In entrepreneurship, resources include capital, networks, skills, and time. Don’t despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Start with what you have, and trust God to multiply it as you step out in faith. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) reminds us that faithful stewardship of resources leads to greater responsibility and reward.
4. Hard Work: The Sweat of Your Brow
Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.” Hard work is non-negotiable. The entrepreneurial drive thrives on diligence, not wishful thinking. Proverbs 10:4 reinforces this: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
Success isn’t handed to you—it’s forged through effort. Paul modeled this in Acts 20:34, working as a tentmaker to support his ministry. Entrepreneurs must embrace the grind, pushing through setbacks and fatigue. Your vision and strategy mean nothing without the discipline to execute them. Hard work is your offering to God, a testament to your faith in His provision.
5. Commodity of Exchange: Creating Value for Others
Ecclesiastes 5:19 says, “When God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, this is a gift of God.” Success isn’t about hoarding—it’s about creating value that blesses others. In business, your commodity of exchange is the product, service, or solution you offer. It’s what the world pays you for.
Jesus taught this in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you.” Your entrepreneurial venture must solve a real need, meeting people where they are. Whether it’s a physical product or a transformative idea, your commodity is the bridge between your vision and the marketplace. Without it, there’s no exchange, no growth, no success.
Bonus: The Eternal Factor—Turning Success into Significance
Here’s where the entrepreneurial journey transcends the temporal: the eternal factor. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Success without significance is hollow. The eternal factor asks: How does your success glorify God and impact eternity?
Consider King Solomon, who built wealth and wisdom but later reflected in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Your business isn’t just about profit—it’s a platform to reflect God’s character, provide for others, and advance His kingdom. When you align your success with eternity, it becomes a legacy that outlasts you.
Action Step: Take the 45-Day Challenge
Success, biblically defined, is about fruitfulness—multiplying what God has entrusted to you. As an entrepreneur, you’re wired for this. Vision gives you purpose, strategy gives you direction, resources give you tools, hard work gives you momentum, and a commodity of exchange gives you impact. The eternal factor? That’s what makes it all matter.
Ready to put these principles into action? I invite you to join the 45-Day Challenge at FivestarMan.com. Over the next 45 days, you’ll build a practical plan to ignite your entrepreneurial drive, rooted in these biblical truths. It’s not just about success—it’s about significance. Step up, take dominion, and let’s build something that echoes into eternity. Visit FivestarMan.com today and start your journey.
Neil Kennedy is the founder of FivestarMan and a passionate advocate for authentic manhood and entrepreneurial excellence, blending biblical wisdom with practical insight.
