Who are your business mentors? The tech titans, the financial gurus, the startup legends? We’re constantly told to seek out mentors, to learn from those who’ve walked the path before us.
What if some of the most profound and practical entrepreneurial advice you could ever receive isn’t found in a modern business textbook or a trending podcast, but in a collection of stories thousands of years old?
Think lessons on strategic planning from ancient military leaders, lessons on resourcefulness from survivors in the desert, and lessons on perseverance you will never match. You will also get stories about unexpected leadership, crazy vision, smooth negotiating, and the everlasting power of faith from people who lived through truly biblical experiences.
Forget the typical executive coaches; this blog will reveal how the timeless stories from Bible provide vital lessons for today’s ambitious entrepreneur, offering thoughtful teachings that go beyond eras and industries.
5 Powerful Stories from Bible Every Entrepreneur Should Know:
1. Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14 – 30)
Jesus tells a parable about a wealthy master who goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with different amounts of money that is five talents, two talents, and one talent, according to their abilities. The first two servants invest the money and double it, while the third, out of fear, hides his talent in the ground. When the master returns, he praises the first two for being faithful and rewards them with more responsibility. The third is punished for his inaction and has his talent taken away.
➤ Business Lessons: This is one of the stories from bible that teaches entrepreneurs about risk-taking, investing, the importance of growing resources, and expanding the bandwidth of skills and abilities.
2. Joseph’s Rise to Power in Egypt (Genesis 39 – 41)
Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, is betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into slavery. In Egypt, he is falsely accused and imprisoned. Despite hardships, he remains faithful and uses his gift of dream interpretation to help Pharaoh. Recognizing his wisdom, Pharaoh makes him governor of Egypt. Joseph prepares the land for a coming famine, saving countless lives, including his own family.
➤ Business Lessons: This story shows how having a vision or goal, along with strategic planning and wise financial management, can help an entrepreneur cope in bad days.
3. The Widow’s Oil Miracle (2 Kings: 1 – 7)
A widow in desperate debt seeks help from the prophet Elisha, fearing she will lose her sons to slavery. Elisha asks what she had was just a small jar of oil. He instructs her to borrow empty jars from neighbors and pour her oil into them. Miraculously, the oil multiplies until every jar is filled. She sells the oil, pays her debts, and sustains her family.
➤ Business Lessons: Even the smallest resources or ideas, when acted upon with faith and creativity, can scale into something profitable and sustainable.
4. The Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31: 10 – 31)
This passage describes a detailed portrait of an ideal woman who is strong, wise, and industrious. She runs her household with diligence, engages in trade, makes investments, provides for her family, and is respected by all. She plans ahead, speaks with wisdom, and uses her influence to serve others. Her success comes not from luck, but from discipline, character, and a sense of purpose.
➤ Business Lessons: She represents the ideal entrepreneur: Hardworking, Strategic, Forward-Thinking, and respected for her values.
5. Building the Tabernacle (Exodus 25 – 40)
After receiving instructions from God on Mount Sinai, Moses is tasked with building the Tabernacle, which is a sacred space for God’s presence among the Israelites. Skilled artisans are appointed, and the people generously donate materials. Every aspect is built with precision, purpose, and excellence. The Tabernacle becomes a symbol of divine order, teamwork, and worship.
➤ Business Lessons: This is among a few stories from bible that emphasize the power of detailed planning, collaboration, skilled delegation, and shared purpose is what’s important for a thriving business.
Successful Business Owners Inspired by Stories from Bible
Mary Kay Ash: Faith-Driven Leadership and the Parable of the Talents
Mary Kay Ash, the legendary founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, built more than a beauty empire; she built a values-driven organization rooted in biblical principles. Taking inspiration from stories like “The Parable of the Talents”, Ash believed that every person was assigned unique gifts and potential.
Her mission was to help women discover their talents, grow in confidence, and succeed professionally. She implemented Christian ethics in her corporate culture, focusing on servant leadership, personal responsibility, and putting God first, family second, and career third. Her company thrived because she prioritized empowerment over profit, creating a business that reflected her faith and the belief that ethical stewardship leads to abundance.
Truett Cathy – Building on the Sabbath Principle and Godly Stewardship
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, is a shining example of a businessman who boldly aligned his enterprise with biblical values. Like Noah, who followed divine instruction despite public doubt, Cathy chose to close all Chick-fil-A restaurants on Sundays, even when it meant potential loss of revenue. This Sabbath principle, drawn from the Ten Commandments, wasn’t just about rest; it was about prioritizing faith and family. Cathy also believed in stewardship, mirroring the responsibility given to Adam in the Garden of Eden: to care, manage, and grow what is entrusted. Through consistent ethical practices, employee care, and customer respect, Cathy built one of the most beloved fast-food brands in America, all while honoring God in every decision.
Dave Thomas – Serving Others, Inspired by the Good Samaritan
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, ran his business on the biblical principle of serving others, much like the Good Samaritan. Adopted as a child and deeply moved by the value of compassion, Thomas used his platform not just to build a successful fast-food chain but to give back. His faith inspired him to establish the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which helps children find loving families. He practiced servant leadership and believed that doing good was good business. Just as Jesus taught humility and compassion in leadership, Thomas lived those principles by uplifting others, both within his company and beyond. His legacy is a testament to how kindness, generosity, and Christian values can drive long-term success.
Conclusion:
As we have seen, the latest guide to modern entrepreneurial success is rarely seen in the technology journals. Often, the deeper and actionable insight can be found in the narrative that we forget exists.
We had a prophetic Joseph who managed his resources and built an economy. We had the Widow, who solved a problem with resourcefulness and cleverness. We also had the Virtuous Woman, who had discipline and was excellent.
The stories from bible are literally a treasure chest of examples regarding business. These aren’t stories of ancient communities that we use as metaphors; these are case studies that we can dive into on leadership, resilience, resourcefulness, and ultimately purpose. Using these oldest principles, we can develop a different edge, build with character, and thrive no matter the business climate.
FAQ:
1. What is the greatest story ever told in the Bible?
The Greatest Story Ever Told is a 1965 American epic religious film that retells the Biblical account of Jesus of Nazareth, from the Nativity through to the Ascension.
2. Who are the top 5 parables in the Bible?
These were: the Ten Virgins, the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan. Artists famous for depicting parables include Martin Schongauer, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and Albrecht Dürer. The Workers in the Vineyard also appears in Early Medieval works.
3. What is the first story I should read in the Bible?
Consider Reading Genesis First. However, Genesis proves to be a more important beginning to a story than any other beginning you have ever read. You desperately need to read it. It’s the beginning of God’s story, but it is also the beginning of your story. The Bible isn’t fiction; it’s the story of reality.
