Here is the proposition - "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36.

Would you trade your marriage, family, or soul for a successful start-up? Most likely, if you are reading this blog, the answer to that question is... "No!" Most men want to win at home and at work, and if pushed to an answer, would always choose relationships over riches. Yet, the tension of doing what it takes to get a start-up off the ground, while navigating the demands of marriage, family, and personal health can be overwhelming.

Believe it or not, Jesus once was the pioneer of the largest, longest lasting and most impactful organization the world has ever known. He was not a CEO, nor was He a businessperson (at least not in the way we understand it - see Luke 2:49). Yet, the Bible is full of life-changing, timeless, transformative truth that will not only aid you in your start up endeavors but help you from losing your soul in the process.

If you are an entrepreneur, you have a product, a service, a dream, a plan, a burning desire to get this “thing” off the ground, to turn nothing into something, to start your business, non-profit, ministry or organization. Don't do it alone... and don't do it without the ones you love. It can be easy to convince yourself that you don't have time to invest in a cohort when you are in the start-up phase, but by aligning yourself with other like-minded and wise leaders, you position yourself for lasting and unilateral success.

Jesus once asked a provocative question worthy of your consideration - “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’” Luke 14:28-23.

Have you effectively counted the cost of what this endeavor will require of you, your spouse, your kids, your money, your time, or your health? The objective to asking this question is not to deter you from pursuing your dreams, but to manage expectations and to provide the guardrails for priorities and margin necessary to maintain long term health and sustainability.

Finally, as a man, it is important to think carefully about what precisely you are trying to build, and for what purpose you are trying to build it. Jesus is clearly not opposed to building a tower, for instance, but when that tower is designed to replace God or steal His glory, He will block your efforts at every turn (see Genesis 11:4-11). Why you are building this start up is just as important as what you are building. If you have your success ahead of your soul, you will end up declaring bankruptcy; one way or another.  If you put your priorities in alignment with God’s, you will never be short at the end of the month.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” - Matthew 6:33

The Soul of an Entrepreneur is a new IMPACT Cohort study for men who want to succeed in launching a start-up without compromising their convictions or depriving their relationships. It is possible to grow as husbands, fathers, and leaders and launch your start-up well.  Find your band of brothers and join or start an IMPACT Cohort and participate in The Soul of an Entrepreneur. Launch here.