COUPLES IN BUSINESS
Cultivating Intimacy while growing a Kingdom Business
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. — Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)
There are no scientific studies that indicate that entrepreneurs have a higher chance of divorce. However, according to Inc Magazine, launching a business can shatter the foundation of a marriage due to increased financial pressures, and the business can often feel like the “other lover,” drawing the attention of the spouse away from their marriage. Moreover, troubled marriages can put even a thriving business at risk. Headlines are full of influential, well-known CEOs facing marital failure.
The global rate of divorce has increased over the years, with over 50% of marriages in the United States ending in divorce. Though most Christians will agree with the biblical stance found in Malachi 2:16, stating God hates divorce, there seems to be no major difference between Christian and non-Christian divorce rates.
“According to various studies, the 4 most common causes of divorce are lack of commitment, infidelity or extramarital affairs, too much conflict and arguing, and lack of physical intimacy. The least common reasons are lack of shared interests and incompatibility between partners.”
DOES BUSINESS SUCCESS REDUCE THE RISK OF DIVORCE?
In reality, business success is not an automatic deterrent to divorce. Whether your mate is actively involved in the business with you or not, business does create a risk to the marriage, and success can actually increase the risk, but it can be avoided.
The risks include:
Since marriage is a protected institution before God, it should take precedence over the business.
You do not have to choose between your marriage and your business; you can thrive in both no matter what stage your business is in!
Here are seven keys to minimizing the risk of divorce in business:
- Make sure that the business fits in God’s plan for your family, not just one of the spouse
- See the business as a family business, not his or hers, even if one of the spouses is not actively involved.
- Have clear rules of engagement between the business and the family
- Have routine meetings to update each other and pray about the business
- Have a clear role for the non-involved spouse, even if it is a passive role
- Identify key activities that the non-involved spouse can be involved in without disrupting the business operation
- Engage the non-involved spouse in some coaching sessions, update each other, and agree on key decisions that will significantly impact the family
COUPLES IN BUSINESS RESOURCES
We at the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Community are dedicated to supporting Christian entrepreneurial couples in harmonizing their personal and professional lives. Our range of resources is specifically tailored to help you nurture your marriage and family while growing a successful Kingdom business.
Couples in Business Training
