By Nathan Loyd Ndungu
Why Faith Belongs in Business
When people hear the word faith, they often think of church on Sunday, prayer, or personal beliefs. But for me, faith is something much bigger—it’s a way of life. It’s how I make decisions, how I treat people, and how I lead. And yes, it absolutely belongs in the boardroom.
Over my 30+ years as an entrepreneur, consultant, and CEO of multiple companies, I’ve found that the Bible isn’t just a spiritual guide—it’s also a powerful business manual. The same principles that build strong character can also build strong companies. When applied with integrity, biblical values like honesty, service, humility, and stewardship can shape strategies that create long-term success—not just for a business, but for the people it touches.
Business Isn’t Just About Profit
Let’s be honest—most businesses are built to make money. And there’s nothing wrong with profit. But when profit becomes the only goal, we lose sight of people. We forget the importance of trust, ethics, and purpose.
I believe business should serve a greater mission. It should build communities, uplift workers, empower customers, and create opportunities. That’s why I built companies like Avoveg Health Kenya Ltd and Avoveg Health LLC—not just to export avocados, but to transform the lives of small-scale farmers across Africa. We pay fair prices. We invest in training. We build relationships. Why? Because people matter more than just the bottom line.
Biblical Values That Guide My Business
Here are a few biblical principles I follow every day in business, and why I believe they still matter—maybe now more than ever.
1. Integrity: “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” – Matthew 5:37
Integrity means doing the right thing even when nobody’s watching. In business, that means keeping promises, being transparent in deals, and refusing to cut corners. I’ve walked away from partnerships where I saw unethical practices—no matter how profitable they looked—because long-term success requires a clear conscience.
When clients or partners know they can trust you, you don’t just gain contracts—you build lasting credibility. That’s real value.
2. Servant Leadership: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26
The world teaches us that leadership means power, control, and status. But Jesus flipped that idea upside down. He showed us that real leadership means putting others first—listening, guiding, and lifting others up.
As a CEO, I try to lead like that. Whether I’m working with farmers in Kenya or executives in the U.S., I see leadership as a responsibility to serve. It’s not about being the boss. It’s about helping others succeed.
3. Stewardship: “To whom much is given, much will be required.” – Luke 12:48
Everything we have—our time, talent, and resources—is a gift. We are stewards, not owners. In business, that means being wise and responsible with what we’ve been given. That applies to finances, but also to how we treat employees, manage resources, and care for the environment.
In our avocado export business, we’re not just moving products—we’re stewarding the land, nurturing farmers, and managing global relationships. We make decisions not just for profit today, but for sustainability tomorrow.
4. Honesty: “Better a poor man who walks in integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” – Proverbs 28:6
In global trade, I’ve seen how dishonesty destroys trust—and sometimes entire businesses. I’ve learned that it’s better to lose a deal and keep your integrity than win with deception. Honest business might take longer, but it builds something that lasts.
Faith is Not Weakness—It’s Strength
Some people believe that bringing faith into business makes you soft or naive. I disagree. Faith gives you strength—especially in times of failure, conflict, or uncertainty. I’ve faced major setbacks in my entrepreneurial journey, some of which I share in my book, My Successful Failures. What carried me through was my faith. It gave me the resilience to keep going, to learn, and to grow.
Faith also gives you clarity. In a world full of noise, trends, and pressure, biblical principles give you a compass. They remind you who you are, what you stand for, and what truly matters.
Creating a Faith-Inspired Culture
You don’t have to preach in the office to build a faith-centered business. It starts with how you lead—your tone, your decisions, and your example. When you lead with honesty, humility, and purpose, it spreads. It creates a culture where people feel valued, safe, and inspired.
In our team meetings, we open with a word of encouragement or reflection. We celebrate not just results, but character. We value people over profits, and purpose over pressure. That’s how faith quietly transforms the workplace.
Final Thoughts: Building with Purpose
At the end of the day, business is not just about what you build—but how and why you build it. I believe that faith and business are not separate worlds. They are deeply connected. When we bring biblical principles into our strategies, we create companies that not only thrive financially but make a lasting impact.
Faith doesn’t just belong in the church—it belongs in the boardroom, the marketplace, and every area of leadership. It reminds us that success isn’t measured by what we have, but by who we become and how we serve.
So if you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or just starting out—don’t leave your faith at the door. Bring it with you. Let it guide your decisions, shape your vision, and define your success. That’s how we build businesses that truly matter.