Faithful vs. Willful

How An Egyptian Business Paid Back $20 Million
Shady Hebeish

In Session 3 of 6, we feature the story of Shady Hebeish, who inherited the Hebeish Group with with $20 million of debt. In this session, we dig into what faithfulness looks like amidst the tangible pressures of resourcing and running a business as a faith driven entrepreneur.

Discussion Questions

The Last Will Be First

We all want first dibs because next best can mean second rate. But in Genesis 13, we read how Abraham displayed his true character by giving the first choice to Lot. Following Jesus often requires a willingness to let others go before us. After all, Jesus did say that “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16).

  • Are there any areas of your business where God is calling you to serve others, and give the first choice to someone else?

Trusting in God

This idea of faithfulness and willfulness is often one of the most difficult things in all of entrepreneurship. How can we be obedient and faithful but not yet selfish and close-fisted? It begins with trusting that God’s way is truly better.

  • In what areas have you been impatient with God’s timing? Share with your group, and ask for prayer for patience.

  • Have you had to let go of something you thought was  ‘good’ only to discover God’s best for you? Do you trust that God wants the very best for you?

Managing Money

The spirit of Mammon—wealth regarded as an evil influence or false object of worship and devotion—is a stronghold in the world of business and finance today.

  • Did this video provoke any reflections on how you can think about financial markets as a Christ follower?

  • How have you sought to be faithful in how you’ve managed money in your business? How might you have been willful?

Ideas to Explore the Mark Further

Looking for some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of Faithful vs. Willful.

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    Join Faith Driven Entrepreneurs as they gather together each week for Global Prayer to faithfully seek God’s will for their business. The One Minute Pause app by John Eldredge is a great tool for practicing the art of surrender.

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    How do you know if you’re being faithful vs. willful? Today, there are several great spiritual integration resources and research that can help you understand, and also deepen your faith and motivation as an entrepreneur. Eido Research, formed by James Waters, provides research and learning services that help Christian organizations lead with faithfulness.

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    Create a strategic plan for your business that can help you set goals in alignment with the vision God has given you, and stay accountable to that. If you don’t have a template for strategic plans, download and fill out the Strategic Plan for Ministry, created by C12, a partner ministry that supports faith driven business leaders that desire to make an eternal impact.

Don’t Worship Work

Redefining Success
Stephan and Louis Greyling

When Stephan and Louis Greyling started Greyling Motors they knew that they had to redefine success to align with their values for family and quality of life. In this session, we highlight how an important step to not worshipping work is defining success based on kingdom values, rather than worldly values.

Discussion Questions

Defining Success

Success doesn’t necessarily come from working harder or growing bigger. 

  • How would you define your success as an entrepreneur? 

  • How do you quantify success while qualifying God’s love in the work that you do?

Known By Your Love

In Mark 12:28-31, Jesus shares that the greatest command is to love God and to love others as we love ourselves. In John 13:35, Jesus also says that people will know that we are his disciples based on our love for one another. 

  • How can our workaholic tendencies corrupt us into thinking that it’s all about the task in front of us rather than the people or even God himself?

  • Are you known for your love for others at work? Why or why not? 

People Before Profit

Stephen and Louis talk about the importance for them of working together as brothers in unity, providing sustainable working hours for their employees, and treating their clients with integrity. Putting people before profit can be costly, but it can also be a powerful expression of your faith values.

  • Does a focus on people necessarily have to come at the expense of your bottom line? What creative and practical ways have you been able to support both?

  • How might you make business decisions that place people before profit this week?

Ideas to Explore the Mark Further

Looking for some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of Don’t Worship Work.



  • The gifts and traits that draw you towards entrepreneurship also pose particular temptations for your calling as a citizen of God’s Kingdom. A Rule of Life for Redemptive Entrepreneurs by Praxis for a set of practices that guard your habits and your rhythms as you work.



  • Our anxiety as leaders can make it difficult to step away from our work. Seek to understand your anxiety and how it might affect others. Look at Managing Leadership Anxiety Resources by Steve Cuss on more tools for healthier leadership.



  • Set aside one day a week as Sabbath for your family. Read the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer and his accompanying ‘How to Unhurry’ workbook for biblical-based guidance on how to slow down and practice Sabbath.

Stewardship vs. Ownership

Stewarding Generational Transfer
Reuben Ang

In this session we hear the story of Elsie’s Kitchen, a catering group based out of Singapore. As a Christian, Reuben Ang believed he needed to do business differently. There were a lot of things he needed to surrender and change. 

Discussion Questions

Looking to the Interests of Others

Philippians 2: 3-5 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” 

  • How does “counting others more significant that yourselves” apply to the business world? 

  • In what practical ways can you serve the people around you while also serving your bottom line?

Redemptive Business

  • How are you treating your employees now? Are there small changes you could make to help them know that they are esteemed members of the business? 

  • How can you take a “redemptive lens” to your business? Are there ways you have viewed your business as separate from your spiritual life?

Leading Your Community

  • What would it look like for your business to be a leader your community looks to for innovation and best practices? 

  • How might your business create ripple effects that are more significant than fads that fade and short-lived gimmicks?

Ideas to Explore the Mark Further

Looking for some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of Stewardship vs Ownership.



  • One way to surrender a sense of ownership for the money we make is to bring it into the light. Consider sharing about your finances with other trusted Christ-followers. Ask for Godly wisdom and guidance in how to steward it well.



  • As an entrepreneur, leaving the business we invested so much of our time, thought, sweat, and tears into can be nerve-racking. But if we believe that it all belongs to God anyways, the success of the business is not dependent upon us. Part of stewardship is considering the long-term sustainability of the business. One way you can plan and execute this is by creating a succession plan. Take time this week to think through the future of your business. What does a succession plan built on long-term look like in your context? What kind of timetable are you working with? Who will be the major players in the next generation of leadership? What can you do today to start preparing them for tomorrow?



  • Building, leading, and stewarding a long-lasting business impacts more than just you and your employees. The effects can reach your community as well. How might your company ensure that it’s not an ivory tower separated from the people around you? How can you create meaningful influence that outlives you? In what ways can your company give back to the community that has supported you? How might your family be involved? From sponsoring community events to offering scholarships to making donations to special initiatives, stewardship goes beyond community and public relations. The values that drive your company inside can be the same principles that influence the world outside.