Each one of these words represents a person who does not follow the world’s system – its way of doing things. So, you would imagine that a person who embodies all of these words would be considered radical. Before I give you what I consider a ‘Maverick Christianpreneur’, let’s break down and define each word.
The Maverick: There was no shortage of the use of the word ‘maverick’ during the 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections. Senator John McCain and his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, used the word so much that it made me sick to the stomach. A maverick is considered as one who does not follow the crowd. Mavericks are independent in thought and action, and resist adherence to group or group think. The group or crowd that I am specifically addressing is ‘the world’. The world would have you fall into a group and not display your independence. Think about it, independent thinking creates innovation, progress, growth, and change. Without it, we would be a society of the norm. A society where everyone think alike, dress alike, talk alike, etc. Now who would want that?
The Entrepreneur: My mentor, Dan Kennedy, says that “the entrepreneur is the loneliest person in the world”. To some extent, this is true! An entrepreneur embodies the maverick mindset and can even be considered a little crazy at times. No one, except another entrepreneur, understands the pain, frustration, joy, excitement, and love and passion that an entrepreneur goes through on their business endeavors. The person who typically considers an entrepreneur crazy is the person who would feel more comfortable following the crowd. Would you go into a burning house while everyone is running out? How about swimming upstream while everyone else is riding on tubes down the river? An entrepreneur does just that. They start, build, and grow businesses during recessions (W. Clement Stone, Walt Disney, Bill Gates & Paul Allen, and Amazon…just to name a few). Why? Well, because they are a little crazy, they see opportunity, and most of all, they don’t follow the crowd!
The Christian: Lastly, but certainly not least, (save the best for last) is the Christian. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. Certainly, by design and construct, the Christian is the most eccentric of all. As Christians, we are in this world but not of this world (John 15:19), thus we cannot follow the world’s way of doing things. Our way is that of the Father which is outlined for us in His Word and by prayer and fasting. Because we don’t follow the world’s system, Christians are considered to be mavericks/odd/abnormal/peculiar/and-the-list-could-go-on and on.
So, now that we have dissected each word of the phrase – ‘Maverick Christianpreneur’ – let me tell you what I consider the definition to be.
The Maverick Christian Entrepreneur: A Maverick Christianpreneur sees their success not as their own, but for the Kingdom of God. They recognize that their success is a desire of God so that He can showcase to the world the blessings He has given His children. Additionally, their success allows the Kingdom of God to be expanded throughout the world. Here are some other points that describe a Maverick Christianpreneur:
Recognizes that they are the manager of their business and God is the CEO
Pays tithes, offerings, and first fruits of their business as well as themselves (Malachi 3:8)
Doesn’t compromise righteousness (right standing with God) for anything, especially profits (Proverbs 13:11)
Recognizes that the success of their business is God’s will (3 John 1:2, Genesis 12:2-3, & Deuteronomy 28)
Recognizes that the purpose of their business is to push/promote/enable/expand the Kingdom of God…introducing people to Christ Jesus (Proverbs 11:30)
Giving back is a joyful action, not a burden
Attentive to the Holy Spirit and follows His instructions (John 14:26)
Walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Pray routinely for their life, family, business, and others (1 Timothy 2:1 & Matthew 21:13)
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