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Guest post by: Thomas J. Madden Become an Author

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The man called Jesus was not the typical preacher, orator or communicator of His day.

Jesus kept his advice simple. He made sure it was understandable to the common man. To do that, He sometimes used stories called parables or symbols, but always kept them simple, straightforward and practical.

We know today that for millions of customers worldwide, today called Christians, Jesus became their Lord and Savior. But was he also in a rarified sense, an entrepreneur?

In very secular terms, the definition of entrepreneur is ever evolving as it becomes mainstream. While we speak of many of the originators of businesses in the past as entrepreneurs, it was not until the mid1970's that the concept became a prevalent enough part of our economy that a definition even was necessary.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary from 1913 defined an entrepreneur as "one who creates a product on his own account." But does just creating a product or business make one an entrepreneur? How about if one takes His father's concept of eternal life and turns it into huge, successful enterprise? Is that not entrepreneurial?

Investorwords, a set of definitions of financial terms, defines an entrepreneur as "an individual who starts his/her own business. So could one substitute "religion" for "business? From the Merriam-Webster Online comes a more current definition: "one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise (or faith?)." Certainly Jesus assumed risks. Was not his cross the ultimate proof of that risk? Did it not become the world's most recognized symbol or brand?

Ashoka, an organization which promotes social change, calls for "social entrepreneurs," people who open up major new possibilities in education, health, the environment, and other areas of human need. So why couldn't one of those other areas be religion? Couldn't also a belief in God and the reward of everlasting life come under the definition?

Just as business entrepreneurs lead innovation in commerce, Jesus inspired immense social change. The concept of business entrepreneurs leading innovation and change is appealing because it denotes more than something as humdrum as just starting a business.

An entrepreneur herself, Daile Tucker, provides her thoughts on what it takes to be an entrepreneur in "Are You an Entrepreneur?" She defines an entrepreneur as "a person who has decided to take control of his future and become self-employed whether by creating his own unique business or working as a member of a team." All right then, consider that Jesus worked with a group He called his disciples and in a multi-level marketing sort of way, they propagated his ideas, the faith. She identifies work ethics and several character traits of successful entrepreneurs, ending with "entrepreneurs compete with themselves and believe that success or failure lies within their personal control or influence." Jesus also subscribed to free well by having his followers choose as he did between right and wrong, love and hate, faithfulness and unfaithfulness.

Entrepreneurs are about loving their journey, not their destination, wrote Tom O'Malia in his introduction to the book, "Been There, Done That, " For Jesus it was all about love, it was a journey of love, but the heavenly destination he promised was one that each of his followers has the freedom and power to obtain.

The ultimate entrepreneur, Jesus dealt with many aspects of human life, but the one that he spent longest on was the need to love. His focus was not just on the love for our friends and family, but something much more challenging, a love that tests every nerve, every sinew.

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them, which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44). Can you remember that, Mr. Paladino? Can you forgive him Mr. Cuomo?

Yes, the entrepreneurial mind can operate in all sizes and types of endeavors, including even in one heaven sent.

So entrepreneurs, thank God for He's given you a journey of love.

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