Advantages:

Disadvantages:

You are the Boss! As the owner of the business you have the right to make the decisions and and the authority to implement them. You do not report to anyone higher than yourself in the business. However, you must make God your senior partner in the business and act as if He owned it. You are His steward, His manager, His junior partner or His Headman and you will account to him for how you have served His interest in your business.

As the Boss, you are now responsible for the business. As the saying goes: "the buck stops here!" You must bear the responsibility of your decisions. You must act responsibly when you face difficulties and not shift the blame to someone else. You are responsible for the money; the product; the people and the assets of the business. The success or failure of the business rests upon your shoulders.

You make the decisions. It is important for you to exercise wisdom in your decision-making. God promises to give wisdom to those who lack and who ask for it. So ask Him to give you the wisdom to make the right decisions.

You make the mistakes. New business people will always make mistakes as they start their businesses. Be sure to learn from your mistakes and not allow them to happen again.

You enjoy the freedom of independent activity. As long as your activity is consistent with God's word, you can do business with whomever and wherever and whenever you want to do it.

You are accountable to God and to others for the choices that you make in business. Freedom is not a licence for irresponsibility. You are free as long as you are subject to God's word. If you depart from his commands you are actually enslaving yourself to the Prince of this world and you lose your freedom.

You get the profit from the business. For most people this is the reason why they start the business. The profit enables the business to succeed and provides your family with the food and other necessary things for life.

You risk the loss. If you are not wise in your business activity you will lose your profit and even the investment in your business.

You work on your own time. You can set your own hours of business and do business whenever you want.

You will work long hard hours. Small business people can work up to 16 hours a day to keep their business profitable. Remember that God requires you to have a day of rest. You will wear yourself out if you do not rest!

You meet the needs of others. Your business will provide the profit to meet your family's needs. If you have employees it will provide for them. Also, you provide tithes, freewill offerings and support of the needy.

People think you have money and they come looking for it. Many business people find family and friends approach them for loans because they see the business activity. It is important to explain to people that you and your business are separate entities and that you cannot draw from the business except as a proper arrangement. Share with them the fruit of the business but don't allow them to eat the seed!

You are self employed. You can take a salary from your business and you can set the amount of that salary. Remember to keep some of the profit in the business so that you can expand the business with capital from the profit.

Your income is irregular and uncertain. Especially at the outset of a business it is difficult to know how much profit can be expected and when it will occur. Be careful not to sell on credit. Also, be careful not to take money out of the business too soon. Make sure everything and everyone else is taken care of before you help your self to the money!

You have tax advantages. Many countries allow small business people to deduct the business expenses from the business income. Expense that you incurred as an employee may now be tax deductible such as transport and utility costs.

There is a lot of paper work and legal requirements to be met. It is important to seek professional advice from tax experts, accountants and lawyers so that you meet all the government requirements. It is important for you to keep good records and expense receipts.

You have job satisfaction. Usually, small business people like what they do and like to see the results of their work. Be careful though to do the things you don't like doing as well such as keeping the books up to date.

You have too many jobs. Small business people have to be "jack of all trades." They are responsible for all the areas of the business and if they do not have an employee there, the job falls to them. Manage your time well and be sure to make time for that which is important but perhaps not urgent!

You gain a sense of dignity. There is dignity in a job well done. Take pride in your product and in your business but not in your self!

You must face the problems. Be diligent to prevent problems but when they happen face them and trust God to help you solve them.