Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding are three of Heaven’s greatest assets available to you as you grow a Kingdom-driven business. Although many people use these terms interchangeably, they are different. Knowledge is information and facts; understanding is the ability to give meaning to that knowledge; wisdom is knowing what to do with (how to properly apply) the knowledge.

In my own entrepreneurial journey, I have experienced the nuances of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

I’d heard and read the scripture Matthew 11:28-30 numerous times in my Christian life. I knew in my mind that Jesus’s yoke was easy and that his burden was light. It was a fact, but yet it had no true meaning to me. In my hunger to experience more of God in my work and truly live out the message of Kingdom-driven entrepreneurship that God called me to inspire, teach, and mentor others in, I experienced an illumination in my heart - a supernatural moment of insight - when hearing a different translation of the scripture in a sermon. It was The Message translation and it said:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Suddenly, the knowledge I had became understanding. The lights turned on! I knew in my heart that there was another way of doing business that was completely different from the world of “hustling and grinding” that I had grown so accustomed to, even as a believer who desired to impact lives for the Kingdom through the marketplace.

Once I had understanding, God gave me wisdom over the next few years. It was God who walked with me and showed me how to practically apply the knowledge and understanding to my business. It changed everything! It also led to the writing and release of my book, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t.

It’s easy to fall into a trap of self-sufficiency due to your ability to thoroughly and independently perform research, and you may allow your own (or others’) experiences to shape your understanding. If you want to effectively do business in partnership with our awesome and limitless God and have a greater Kingdom impact in the marketplace, it begins with respect and adoration of who He is. It is acknowledging Him as the source of truth, the understanding of the truth, and the wisdom required to experience a godly kind of success in both the earthly and heavenly matters concerning your business.