How to Practice Biblical Contentment While Still Growing Your Business
In entrepreneurship, there’s always another thing to work toward:
More revenue
More clients
A bigger audience
A better offer
More time
A bigger team
The next business milestone
There's nothing inherently wrong with wanting your business to grow, but when your eyes are always fixed on your next goal or the next thing you need to do to feel successful, you’re never satisfied.
You hit the goal, enjoy it for approximately five minutes, and immediately start thinking about what's next. This is where contentment becomes a spiritual practice, not an excuse to stop pursuing growth.
But how do you pursue growth without making “more” your source of satisfaction?
I recently listened to a sermon about greed that completely changed my perspective on biblical contentment, and I want to share how it applies to your business.
Recognize That “More” Will Never Be Enough
You can tell yourself that you’ll be content when you hit six figures, or have a team, or have more freedom, but reaching the next milestone doesn't eliminate the desire for the one after that.
The goalpost is constantly moving. You’re passionate about your business, which means you always have new ideas and goals. That’s part of what makes entrepreneurship so exciting!
But that desire for the best can tie your sense of worth to business growth.
Biblical contentment isn't about having everything you want. It's learning to be satisfied in what God has already provided, regardless of circumstances.
Biblical Contentment Isn't the Same as Complacency
As a bookkeeper, I’m also sometimes a therapist when it comes to money. From working with dozens of Christian business owners, I've found that people think wanting business growth or money is unspiritual.
This is probably an important section for her audience because Christian women can sometimes feel like wanting business growth is somehow unspiritual.
It’s not wrong to have monetary goals and achievements. Contentment doesn't mean you have to stop setting goals or pursuing opportunities. The Lord blessed you with gifts to create, run, and grow a business that helps others.
You can be content with where God has you while still being excited about where He may be taking you. There's a difference between:
“God, I trust You with what You have given me, and I'll faithfully steward it.”
“I need this business to become bigger because then I'll finally feel successful.”
Growth is an act of stewardship. It becomes a bigger problem when growth is an attempt to prove yourself.
Stop Letting Your Eyes Live in the Future
I know I could be better at this, but it’s so easy to let planning for the future take over the present.
You’re constantly thinking about:
What's the next launch?
What's next quarter going to look like?
When can I hire?
When can I leave my other job?
What's the next revenue goal?
What should I change next?
You can become so focused on what you're building that you miss what God is doing right now. Contentment asks you to notice and appreciate today's provisions and opportunities.
That’s why it can be so beneficial to journal or reflect on your achievements. Many people do this at the end or beginning of the year, but doing this exercise quarterly can bring you back to the present.
Let Gratitude Interrupt Comparison
Sometimes thinking about the next thing is actually comparison, not ambition. You see someone else making more money, or traveling more, or growing faster. Now what you were grateful for yesterday doesn’t feel good enough anymore.
I partially blame social media for this because we see the highlight reel people choose to share and start to compare. But it could also be because we haven’t practiced biblical contentment.
You have to intentionally redirect your attention toward what God has entrusted to you (i.e., your business). Gratitude is the best way to change your focus (and turn off your social media notifications, or better yet, delete the apps completely if you don’t rely on them for marketing).
You can be grateful even in the difficult times of business. Focus on recognizing what’s good instead of what’s missing.
Practice Biblical Contentment With Your Current Numbers
Numbers are important. You can’t do business without knowing and understanding your revenue, expenses, profit, cash flow, taxes, etc.
But numbers can become emotionally loaded, changing how you feel about yourself depending on whether you had a “good” month or a “bad” month. A revenue goal becomes a measure of your worth.
Hear me: Your financial reports are information, not an identity statement.\
Biblical contentment doesn’t mean ignoring your financials; it means changing your mindset and attitude toward them.
Try repeating to yourself:
“I'm going to steward these numbers well.”
“I'm going to make wise decisions.”
“I'm going to pursue healthy growth.”
“I'm going to trust God with the outcome.”
Set Business Goals From a Place of Stewardship, Not Discontentment
A lot of business goals revolve around money, and that’s not a bad thing. You need to make money to serve people well.
But monetary goals aren’t the only option. Especially as we approach New Year's resolutions, try creating goals around these areas instead of revenue:
Serving clients well
Creating sustainable work
Providing for your family
Giving generously
Creating jobs
Improving your systems
Protecting your time
Making room for motherhood
Using your gifts well
This lets you pursue healthy ambition without making ambition an idol.
Build Rhythms That Help You Practice Biblical Contentment
Contentment comes with practice. It’s not natural for us to feel satisfied with where we’re at. Culturally, we’re taught to want more and more and more, but biblically, we’re taught to be happy with what God has given us.
Here are some weekly contentment habits to practice:
Review your business numbers.
Celebrate what went well.
Thank God for specific provision.
Identify where you've been chasing “more.”
Ask what actually needs your attention.
Set your next goals.
Surrender the outcome.
If needed, incorporate these other contentment practices:
Keep a gratitude list.
Limit comparison-triggering social media.
Celebrate milestones before immediately setting another goal.
Take time away from the business.
Pray before making major financial decisions.
Regularly remind yourself of God's faithfulness in previous seasons.
You Can Want More Without Believing You Need More
Wanting more isn't automatically discontentment. You can want to grow your business and make more money.
The question is: do you believe you need more in order to finally be happy, successful, secure, or enough?
Biblical contentment is learning that you can pursue more without needing more to be okay.
There will always be another something. Milestone, idea, goal, opportunity…
You don't have to choose between biblical contentment and ambition. You can pursue growth while remaining deeply grateful for where you are.
I’ll leave you with Philippians 4:11–12:
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
