Real Success Isn’t in Your Bank Account
The Question Every Christian Entrepreneur Is Asking
On our Faith & Work call, an agent asked what so many of us feel:
“How do I build a business on biblical principle without drifting into guru-hype or the self-help hamster wheel?”
We brought in Leland Gross (founder of PeaceLink Financial Planning & Accounting) to dig into money, motives, and the daily rhythms that keep your work holy and effective. This post distills that conversation into a field guide you can live starting today.
The Two Ditches: Hustle Idolatry vs. Holy Hesitation
Entrepreneurs tend to fall into one of two ditches:
Hustle Idolatry: “If I just do more, I’ll finally be okay.” (More leads, more units, more followers.)
Holy Hesitation: “I’m scared ambition will corrupt me, so I’ll play small.”
Biblical business lives in the tension: we work diligently while we rest deeply, because God—not the pipeline—provides. (Deuteronomy 8:18; Psalm 127:1–2)
PDA lens: Build Predictable rhythms, choose Dollar-Productive actions, and keep them Aligned with who God made you and the season you’re in.
A Right-Sized Definition of Success
If “success” = revenue only, your soul will get thin while your calendar explodes. A biblical definition is triple-yes:
Submission over Ambition: I build, but He directs. (Proverbs 16:9)
Stewardship over Status: I manage God’s resources, not my worth. (Psalm 24:1)
Faithfulness over FOMO: I serve the people in front of me—right now—with excellence. (Colossians 3:23)
Quick heart-check: When you lose a listing or a client chooses someone else, do you spiral—or can you honestly say, “Lord, thank You. That wasn’t our assignment.” Your first reaction reveals your theology of provision.
Why “+25% More” Won’t Fix Your Heart (and What Will)
Leland pointed to research showing that at every income level, people believe they need ~25% more to feel okay. That’s not data—it’s desire. The heart always asks for “more.”
Gospel counter-move:
Gratitude grounds you in what God already did.
Generosity loosens money’s grip.
Sabbath re-teaches your soul that you’re secure even when you stop.
If you won’t give at $10k, you won’t give at $100k. Generosity is about freedom, not figures.
Money That’s Holy, Not Heavy: Three Rhythms
Give First (Percentage + Purpose):
Start with a % you’ll actually do. Automate it.
Choose one Kingdom-aligned cause each month your team can celebrate together.
Save Wisely (Stewardship ≠ Hoarding):
Build prudent reserves (household + business).
Beware “bigger barns” thinking that postpones joy, mission, and hospitality. (Luke 12:16–21)
Enjoy Now (Taste the Gift):
Bless your spouse, your kids, your neighbor in real time.
If your “someday” plan starves your people today, it isn’t stewardship—it’s fear.
PDA Your Week: A Practical Operating System
Predictable: lock your calendar around non-negotiables.
AM: Scripture + Gratitude (5–10 min), Daily Five Card (lead gen/follow-up), 1 money task.
Midday: Client delivery block, team huddle (10 min), margin buffer.
PM: Admin wrap, next-day plan, hard stop for family/Sabbath rhythms.
Dollar-Productive: do the few things that move revenue + referrals.
Conversations with past clients/SOs, active deal strategy, live negotiations, warm introductions, ask-and-serve touchpoints.
Aligned: keep boundaries that match your assignment and season.
School pickup, Sabbath dinner, Sunday rest, phone off blocks, “no” list.
Script: “Here’s how I stay responsive without sacrificing my family commitments. It keeps me healthy—so I can serve you better.”
Team Culture That Resists Comparison
Monday Meeting Liturgy (15 min):
One verse (Deut. 8:18 / Ps. 127 / Col. 3:23).
Gratitude round: God’s provision (client or personal).
Loss reframe: where we trusted God instead of spiraling.
One bold ask for the week (introductions, event invites, partnership reach-outs).
Shared language:
“Work like it depends on us; pray because it depends on the Lord.”
“We compete with our calling, not with other agents.”
Scripts You Can Use This Week
Provision Reset (self/team):
“We’ll work the plan—and trust the Provider.”Boundary Builder (client):
“I return calls 8–5 and twice nightly. If something’s urgent, text ‘URGENT’ and I’ll step out. That structure keeps me sharp for you.”Loss Reframe (team):
“Not our assignment. Let’s bless them and move. God will send the right ones.”Generosity Cue (household):
“What would feel joyfully sacrificial this month? Let’s do that—first.”
Field Examples (What This Looks Like in Real Life)
1) The “Ambition vs. Submission” Week:
You want to hit a stretch unit goal. You push hard…and protect Sabbath anyway. A hot lead asks for Sunday showings. You offer Saturday slots and a Monday lunch. They respect it—and you keep your soul. (If they don’t respect it, that’s clarity too.)
2) The “+25% More” Moment:
You feel the pull to upsize for status. You run the PDA check:
Predictable: Will this add stress to our rhythms?
Dollar-Productive: Does it help our mission or just our image?
Aligned: Does this match our season (kids, calling, cash)?
If not, wait—and redirect a portion to generosity/hospitality this month.
3) The “We Lost the Listing” Debrief:
Team prays for the seller by name. You send a sincere, “If anything changes, we’re here.” Then you ask for one warm introduction from a current client. Momentum restored—without bitterness.
7-Day Challenge (Micro-Habits that Change Everything)
Day 1: Read Deut. 8:11–18. Write 5 ways God provided in the last 30 days.
Day 2: Automate a percentage gift (even if small).
Day 3: Block your Daily Five and one money task for the next 5 weekdays.
Day 4: Choose one boundary you’ll honor this week (ex: school pickup / no Sunday work). Tell your team.
Day 5: Text three past clients a specific encouragement (no ask).
Day 6: Hospitality hour—invite a neighbor/friend for coffee or dinner.
Day 7: True Sabbath—no production, no planning. Worship, delight, and rest.
Objections I Hear (and Biblical Replies)
“If I set boundaries, I’ll lose clients.”
Some, maybe. You’ll gain healthier ones—and your endurance. (Mark 2:27)
“I can’t afford to give.”
Start small, start now. Generosity isn’t about amounts; it’s about allegiance. (2 Cor. 9:7)
“I’ll rest when I hit my number.”
That’s Pharaoh talking. Rest is resistance; it proves you trust a better Master. (Ex. 20:8–11)
The Three-Question Leave-Behind (Weekly Review)
Where did I submit (not just strive)?
Where did I steward (give, save, enjoy) with clarity?
Where did I trust God’s provision—especially in a loss?
Journal two lines for each. Share highlights with your spouse or team.
Final Word
You were built to build. Ambition isn’t the enemy—idolatry is. Anchor your calendar in Scripture, tune your money to your mission, and lead with rhythms that are Predictable, Dollar-Productive, and Aligned. You’ll grow—and keep your soul.
The PDA Formula: The PDA Formula gives you a simple system to finally take control of your business. Learn how to focus on what’s Predictable, Dollar-Productive, and Aligned so you can stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that grows consistently without costing you your peace.