Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
The Estherpreneur is a weekly chat about doing business and life God’s way. Join your host, Edna Harding as she offers biblical strategies and practical applications to improve your mind, business, spirit, relationships, and finances. Listen along as she talks with guests on how to thrive in all areas of life. Edna is a Wife, Mother, Growth Strategist, Author, Minister, Certified Maxwell Business Consultant and Executive Coach, an accredited Master Mindset Coach, and Speaker whose message of hope, truth, and wisdom reaches people all around the world. FavorandWealth.com Estherpreneur.com
Edna Harding [00:00:03]:
Welcome to Estrepreneur, a podcast for entrepreneurs and leaders doing business and life God's way. Each week we discuss biblical and practical tips to improve your mind, business, spirit, relationships, and finances. Listen along as I speak with special guests on how to thrive in all aspects of life. Hi, I'm Edna. Like many of you, I wear many hats. I'm a military wife, mother, author, certified John Maxwell business and executive coach, trainer, and founder of Favor and wealth, where we help the good guys win. So tune in as we bring on the light. Well, hello everyone.
Edna Harding [00:00:48]:
Thank you for tuning in for another episode of the Estrepreneur podcast. My name is Edna Harding, and I'm so excited to. To have you guys joining me this week. I just want to say for those of you guys who have been just so supportive through all of this, I, you know, I just recently had a. A advisory call with my clients, and I was just talking to them about my podcast and kind of giving examples, like, of what an intro episode would look like. And I looked back at the intro episode. I started this podcast July 17, 2020. July 17, 2020.
Edna Harding [00:01:39]:
And five years later, here I am teaching people how to create a podcast. And what a full circle moment. And I was just sharing this story about, you know, what the Lord told me to do, and I was giving her some strategies. But to me, it was the most beautiful thing. Like, I had an aha moment in front of my clients. Like, wow. Like, this is insane because my. As I'm recording this episode, this actually is on July 18, 2025.
Edna Harding [00:02:12]:
I'm not sure when exactly this is going to be going to be published. My assistant's going to be doing that. But my point is I was just in awe that I have been consistent all these years out of that one step of obedience. So I just want to welcome you guys. Welcome. This has been five years and counting. If this is your first episode, welcome, welcome, welcome. You joined in at a good time.
Edna Harding [00:02:42]:
But I do have to say that if you just have time. Time to binge listen, listen to the earlier episodes when we first started this podcast because I had some amazing guests who have some powerful stor transformations and stories. I've been following some of them in their journey, and it's just interesting to see where they are now since I first interviewed them five years ago. So today's episode, we are going to talk about the Beatitudes, but specifically we are going to talk about business lessons from the Beatitudes. Okay. I need to make sure that I'm recording properly. I I just want to say that this is, this is such a well known passage, you know, blessed is a meek. Blessed is the hungry.
Edna Harding [00:03:31]:
Blessed, not the hungry. Yeah. Blessed are those who hunger, thirst for righteousness. There's all these beatitudes, but I always say, like, let's, let's look at it from a, from a CEO's perspective, right? And one thing I've realized is that you can learn something from every Bible verse. And so please don't tune me out. You think you know, but you really have no idea. So let's go ahead and start with the first beatitude, which is blessed are the poor in spirit. What this means is humility.
Edna Harding [00:04:06]:
In business, it's about recognizing that you don't have all the answers. And that is actually your strength. The fact that you know you're limited and you don't have everything figured out, that's your strength. Because the most powerful leaders and entrepreneurs and CEOs that I find are those who stay teachable. Okay? And this is so important because I've had clients where they want to hoard everything and they don't want to delegate anything. You know, you want to be an expert in everything. When I say I had a client, I'm talking about myself. Okay? I'm.
Edna Harding [00:04:43]:
Let's just call this. But I'm. Exactly. I've had clients like that. But me specifically, I wanted to do everything because I was good at everything. But what I realized is that was dumb, first of all. And second of all, that was extremely prideful. And so when I humbled myself and I hired smarter people than me, those who are willing to challenge me surround me with people who ask questions and not just say yes.
Edna Harding [00:05:11]:
I started admitting my blind spots. And then my business started growing exponentially. So this right here is key. Humble yourself and don't let pride limit your growth. Okay? So ask someone for help. This week, the second p attitude that we're going to talk about is blessed are those who mourn mourning in business. Have you guys heard of that? Yes. Yes, yes, no.
Edna Harding [00:05:36]:
Yes, no. Well, let me tell you, it's like thinking about all the lost contracts, all the failed launches, all the ended partnerships. That's what mourning in business mean, right? M O U R N I n G. Okay, I've had clients that were betrayed by partners. I've had clients who, who, gosh, got all their money stolen. I've. I myself have gone through business. Bank, not business, but bankruptcy that affected my business, right? Instead of rushing to bounce back, take the time to grieve the loss Take the time to acknowledge your pain.
Edna Harding [00:06:19]:
Take the time to acknowledge those losses. Because what happens is when you take the time to reflect on those things, that clarity will lead into a new model that ultimately becomes your breakthrough business. So for me, having gone through all that financial loss, I realized all the things that are essential in order for you to have a successful business without money. And that's what I'm teaching my clients now. I'm teaching them cost effective ways to grow their business, to launch their business, and still get tangible fruits for their, for their efforts. Right. And so that is an example of how, you know, looking back at all the losses I've had, what lessons I've learned, and creating something out of that, does that make sense? All right, so beatitude number three is blessed are the meek. Meek doesn't mean weak.
Edna Harding [00:07:11]:
Okay. It actually means power under control. Okay. So an example of this is, I know for me, I like to share clients with my competitors instead of hoarding them. So for example, if I run into people, they're looking for business coaching, but does not want me to, but does not want to do soul work, I recommend them to other coaches, business coaches that may be of the world, but it's not my cup of tea. Am I doing it because I don't know, because I don't want to work with them? No, it's just I know that they're not my audience. So I'll send them over to those who, who, who are, who wants to work with people like them, okay? Now if they're open to working with someone that implements biblical wisdom into their, into their. Sorry guys, my brain is going back.
Edna Harding [00:08:06]:
It's been a long week into their business, then yes, feel free to, to join me. So the point is that weakness of like, okay, I am, I'm not, I'm, I'm not going to pretend to be something that I'm not. What happens is it builds your reputation in the industry that you're supposed to be part of. Like, in, like, you, you're, you're able to build a reputation for the people you're actually assigned to. Does that make sense? And not only that, your generosity will make you unforgettable. So people wonder, like, why do you recommend this person or this program and this program, instead of saying like, you know, some people, thank you, Holy Spirit, some people, whenever they're talking about their coaches and mentors, they just like, you know, I have a mentor, I joined this program, or blah, blah, blah, I actually tell my clients specifically which mentor, how much they're Charging. And I promote their program sometimes. Sometimes I go to their websites on my calls because I am not afraid to be a blessing to other people in my space that can give them the solution that they're looking for.
Edna Harding [00:09:24]:
Does that make sense? All right, number four, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is the one that shakes us, because righteousness should always come over revenue. What does that mean? Integrity over income. Okay, so I've walked away from a lot of business before because it didn't align with my values. I say no to people who wants to join my programs. That's why I have people apply to join my programs. Because I don't just accept anyone. I make sure that whatever business that they're starting lines up with the word of God.
Edna Harding [00:10:00]:
Okay? Not to say that they all have to be Christians, but they have to be open to just hearing about the gospel and hearing about the truth of the word of God, but also that whatever business that they have doesn't go against. So, for example, if, if someone told me, hey, I, I, I want to start an abortion clinic, yeah, I'm not going to do that. Okay? Because that goes against the word of God. Does that make sense? So as long as your business doesn't go against the word of God, whether you believe in God or not, yes, I will work with you. But does that make sense? Okay, number five. Blessed are the merciful. Mercy isn't weakness, it's wisdom. Okay, I remember I had a client who couldn't pay me for months due to a family emergency.
Edna Harding [00:10:45]:
So instead of taking legal actions, like, mostly because we have a contract, I gave her grace and she ended up paying every penny and sent me, you know, some referrals as well. So I, I want you to think of who in your business needs a second chance or a soft place to land, right? Who, who, who, who can do that? And if so, and if, if you do have those kind of people, how are you going to help them? How are you going to land that, that, that second chance or that soft place to land? Right? And I hope, I hope I'm making sense. I'm just, I'm sorry, guys, I'm just. People's names are coming to mind, just like I could think of that. I believe the Lord wants me to help me, but that's another, that's another thing. All right, so number six. Blessed are the pure in heart. God honors pure motives.
Edna Harding [00:11:41]:
So are you building your business to heal or are you building your business to prove that you're something? To prove that you're successful. Is your marketing honest or is it manipulative? Right. Just know that clients can feel the purity of your intentions, whether they're internal clients, external clients, prospects. You need to audit your why. Right. Audit your why. What's really driving you and your business? What's really driving your KPIs? What's driving all these things that you want to accomplish? Is it because you're trying to prove something to people or is it because you truly want to honor God with it? Does that make sense? And number seven, blessed are the peacemakers. True leaders build bridges.
Edna Harding [00:12:27]:
So instead of joining like a high ticket or low ticket coaching wars, you could create a space where both collaborate. Okay, so like you could like compete. Like, like, for example, like if you know somebody that complements your, your business, you could do like a part. I've done, I do have to say I've done, what do you call it, workshops where I involve other people. It is not easy because there are, gosh, there's unfortunately not everybody has pure hearts. And so yes, I've taken, got taken advantage of a lot of times, but I learned a lot from, you know, working with partners or working with people to collaborate. And you know, the funny thing is actually none of them really worked out. I've now I think about it a lot of my collaboration type of work, like as far as business wise, never really planned out, like for some reason Gavo shut it down.
Edna Harding [00:13:30]:
So I don't really know what the why that did is, but I can tell you that I was willing to work with them and I've spent a lot of time to plan stuff, given them a lot of free tips and resources. But at the end of the day, he shut them down. And I know there's a reason for it, but, but there is a way for you to collaborate. I just haven't found the right person to collaborate with yet. And for whatever reason, God is blocking that. But who knows, maybe in this season God's going to open doors where I could really, truly collaborate with people who have pure hearts and truly want to make impact to the kingdom of God. All right. And number eight, blessed are those who are persecuted.
Edna Harding [00:14:15]:
When you stand for righteousness, some people will walk away. In fact, when I started to openly talk about faith and business, specifically in like professional platforms, I lost a lot of followers even though they knew that I've been part of, you know, God's thing. But the fact that I was very vocal, a little bit more bolder and a little bit more vocal about my walk with God I think people, some people got turned off. But that's okay because the people who stayed became my ride or die people. Right. So your values will cost you. Yes. But they will also build you.
Edna Harding [00:14:54]:
So I want you to ask yourself, what truth have you been avoiding to speak in your brand? Right. What? Sorry, what truth have you been avoiding speaking in your brand? Right. What exactly are you not saying? Because you care about what other people think? Okay. All right, so let me challenge you guys with this. Choose one Beatitude out of this episode that's tugging your heart today. Take one. Action. As an act of I agree with this Beatitude and do it in faith.
Edna Harding [00:15:28]:
And watch how God honors you, because he always does. You know, these Beatitudes aren't just like soft spiritual slogans. For example, they're actually tested. They're eternal strategies. And they truly built a business. It doesn't just survive, it actually multiplies. It transforms. And most importantly, it glorifies God.
Edna Harding [00:15:48]:
So let's go ahead and pray and then we'll call it a day. Father, we just thank you for this time. I thank you for our brothers and sisters who are listening on the other side, who is just like soaking in just your word, Lord God, all your instructions for our good Lord, Give us the courage to lead humbly, Lord. Give us courage. Give us the courage to mourn losses with honesty. Teach us to be vulnerable to you, Lord God, and help us to serve with meekness and hunger for the right things, Lord, the God things. Help us to show mercy. Help us to stay pure, God.
Edna Harding [00:16:25]:
Help us to make peace and help us to stand strong, Lord, and let our businesses reflect your kingdom every single day for the rest of our lives. May you be glorified. May you be honored in Jesus mighty name. Amen. Amen. Well, thanks for bearing with me, guys. I know you could probably tell my voice is running out. It's been a long, long week.
Edna Harding [00:16:49]:
I'm ready to get a go on vacation. So excited about that. But thank you guys again for joining me today. You know, subscribe share this episode with a kingdom minded entrepreneur and tag me on social media with a Beatitude you're living out this week. You could use the hashtag Beatitudes business and tag me at the Estrepreneur on Instagram or you could find me on LinkedIn and you could tag me there as well. So until next time, my friends, keep shining, keep leading with purpose, Keep increasing your profits and leave a legacy that truly speaks of the wonderful God we serve. All right. Blessings, my friends.
Edna Harding [00:17:28]:
I'll talk to you soon. Take care. Thanks for joining us this week on Estrepreneur. Make sure to visit our website, favorandwealth.com for more information on our services. While you're at it, if you found value in this show, we'd appreciate a rating on itunes. Or if you simply tell a friend about the show, that would help me out, too. Also, check out my book, the Ugly side of Sales, available on Amazon, where I share seven of my secrets on how to win and grow business the right way. Until next time, keep shining.