-- Episode #69: Entrepreneur Working for the Lord! — Charles Musgrove Episode Overview Rich Sanders and Charles Musgrove explore what it means to pursue business success while remaining faithful to God's purpose. Through their discussion of entrepreneurship, financial leadership, biblical stewardship, and generosity, they examine how Christians can align their professional lives with their faith and use their resources to serve others. Key Discussion Topics **1. Alignment Before Achievement** Charles shares a central principle from his recent presentation: alignment should come before achievement. Entrepreneurs often focus on reaching goals without considering what success might cost them. Establishing a clear vision, mission, purpose, and set of values helps ensure that achievement supports the life God has called them to live. **2. Understanding the Role of a Fractional CFO** Charles explains how a fractional Chief Financial Officer provides high-level financial expertise to businesses that don't need a full-time CFO. He distinguishes the responsibilities of a CFO from those of an accountant, bookkeeper, and CPA, helping small-business owners understand the financial support they may need as their companies grow. **3. Finding Joy and Purpose in Work** Charles discusses his decades-long career in accounting and financial leadership and why he intends to continue working as long as God gives him the health and opportunity to do so. He emphasizes that work is part of God's original design for humanity, not merely a consequence of the Fall. **4. Discovering and Developing God-Given Gifts** The conversation explores the responsibility to recognize the abilities God has entrusted to us, develop them, and use them to benefit others. Charles reflects on how he has helped business owners solve problems and make better decisions throughout his career. **5. Business Success, Faith, and Values** Rich and Charles discuss how professional success can be measured by more than financial results. When business leaders remain aligned with their values, they can experience greater satisfaction throughout the journey rather than waiting until they reach a particular milestone. **6. Generosity and Leaving a Legacy** Rich introduces John Wesley's well-known teaching: earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. Charles connects this principle to financial stewardship, explaining how wise financial decisions can create opportunities for generosity and provide for future generations. **7. Combining Financial Stewardship and Leadership** Charles shares how he expanded his professional work in 2026 by becoming a certified Maxwell teacher and completing financial foundations certification through the Maxwell leadership program. His goal is to combine his financial experience with leadership principles to help others grow and make better decisions. 8. Being a River, Not a Reservoir One of the central principles discussed is that wealth should flow through us to bless others rather than simply accumulate for ourselves. The more we are able to earn and manage wisely, the greater our potential to support charitable causes, serve our neighbors, and advance God's work. 9. Money Is a Tool, Not the Objective Rich and Charles challenge the misconception that Christian faith and capitalism are incompatible. They discuss how financial resources can help meet practical needs, support ministry, and share the Gospel. Money itself is not the ultimate goal; what matters is how it is earned, managed, and used. 10. Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth Charles emphasizes the importance of continually developing leadership skills, expanding knowledge, and improving oneself. Even when we discover principles later in life that we wish we had learned earlier, we can begin applying them today. 11. Recognizing God's Direction in Your Career Charles reflects on three pivotal moments in his professional journey, including discovering his aptitude for accounting in college and later transitioning from an ownership role in a CPA firm into his own business. He describes how reflection, an internal sense of direction, and a willingness to pursue new opportunities shaped his career. Key Takeaways Define success before pursuing it. Align your business decisions with your faith, values, and purpose. Treat work as an opportunity to serve God and others. Develop your God-given abilities instead of allowing them to remain unused. Build wealth through wise earning, saving, and financial management. Avoid unhealthy consumer debt while making thoughtful financial decisions. Give generously and plan intentionally for your family's legacy. Keep learning, growing, and responding to new opportunities. Use financial success to create a positive impact beyond yourself. Memorable Principles Alignment before achievement. Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. Be a river, not a reservoir. Money is a tool, not the objective. The more we make, the more we give. You don't get to start over, but you can start today. About Charles Musgrove Charles Musgrove is a CPA and experienced financial professional who has spent approximately four decades working with businesses and entrepreneurs. His work includes fractional CFO services, financial problem-solving, and advising business owners. In 2026, he expanded his focus to include leadership teaching and financial foundations through the Maxwell leadership program. https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleshmusgrovejr/ https://www.facebook.com/answersthatcount https://www.facebook.com/charles.musgrove.10/ https://charlesmusgrove.com/ https://answersthatcount.com/ Continue the Conversation What does alignment before achievement look like in your business or career? How are you using your gifts, resources, and influence to serve others? Share your thoughts in the comments, and join us in building a community where faith, entrepreneurship, financial stewardship, and generosity work together. Visit https://christiancapitalist.life to learn more about the Christian Capitalist movement.
