Are Christians Allowed To Start Businesses?

If you’ve ever wondered whether Christians are allowed to start a business, you’re not alone. While some believers see business as a distraction or even a gateway to greed, the Bible paints a much richer and more empowering picture.

In fact, the New Testament gives us multiple examples of faithful followers of Christ who worked with their hands, operated businesses, and used their skills to support ministry efforts.

Let’s take a closer look at three clear examples from Scripture: Paul the tentmaker, the fishing brothers Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and the business-minded couple Aquila and Priscilla.

Paul the Apostle: A Missionary and a Businessman

Many Christians know Paul as the apostle who wrote most of the New Testament. But what some may not realize is that Paul was also a tentmaker by trade. He didn’t just preach—he worked.

“And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” — Acts 18:3

Paul deliberately chose to work with his hands so that he wouldn’t be a financial burden on others. In his own letters, he regularly emphasized that he labored “night and day” (1 Thessalonians 2:9) to support himself while ministering.

Tentmaking wasn’t a side hustle—it was a practical and strategic way to fund his travels, meet his needs, and position himself for long-term ministry without being dependent on others.

His trade made him mobile and flexible, which was essential in a time when travel and shelter were major needs. Paul could sell tents in any city he entered, which helped him stay self-sufficient while sharing the gospel.

If Paul—arguably the most influential Christian missionary in history—ran a business to support his calling, so can we.

Peter, Andrew, James, and John: From Fishermen to Fishers of Men

Our second example is a group of men who played a foundational role in Jesus’ ministry. Before they followed Christ, Peter and Andrew, along with James and John, were commercial fishermen.

“Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.” — Mark 1:16 

This wasn’t a casual hobby. These brothers ran a fishing business—complete with hired workers (Mark 1:20). They weren’t dependent on others to provide for them.

They had developed a skill that not only met their family’s needs but also gave them the freedom to follow Jesus when He called.

“And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.” — Mark 1:20 

The fact that they left everything to follow Jesus tells us something important: business didn’t hold them back. Instead, it enabled their obedience.

With mobile skills and flexible income, they could go wherever the Lord sent them. God even repurposed their fishing background when He said,

“I will make you fishers of men.”

Business didn’t disqualify them—it equipped them.

Aquila and Priscilla: Ministry-Minded Entrepreneurs

The third example brings us back to Acts 18, where Paul meets a married couple—Aquila and Priscilla—who are also in the tentmaking business.

“…he found a certain Jew named Aquila, with his wife Priscilla… and because he was of the same craft, he abode with them… for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” — Acts 18:2-3

What’s remarkable about Aquila and Priscilla is that they didn’t just run a business. They also hosted and led a church in their home (Romans 16:3-5). Their business wasn’t separate from their ministry—it supported it.

Their shared occupation with Paul formed the basis for collaboration and friendship in the gospel. This couple is a powerful example of how entrepreneurship can coexist with, and even strengthen, spiritual leadership.

Why Business Is a Blessing, Not a Burden

These examples from the New Testament make it clear: there’s no conflict between being a Christian and owning a business.

In fact, when done right, business can create freedom, flexibility, and financial resources that fuel kingdom impact.

Whether it’s tentmaking, fishing, or another godly skill, Christians can turn their work into worship and their business into ministry.

You’re not pursuing greed—you’re stewarding gifts. Share on X

And as Scripture shows us again and again, God uses skilled workers and business owners to accomplish His purposes.

You Can Start a Business Too

If you’ve been hesitant about starting a business as a Christian, the Bible gives you more than permission—it gives you a pattern.

Paul used his trade to travel and preach. Peter and the other disciples leveraged their fishing business to support their families before following Christ.

Aquila and Priscilla combined ministry and entrepreneurship to bless others and build the early church.

You don’t need to choose between faith and finances. When your heart is right, business becomes a tool for impact. You can provide for your family, fund ministry, and serve others—all while honoring God with the work of your hands.

To dig deeper into how God uses wealth and why He gives it to some more than others, read this next article. God bless.

WATCH THE VIDEO