It happens daily. One person has an idea, the other one has the money, or maybe it is a matter of one knows how to get the job done, whilst the other one knows how to sell the product. Perfect match, right? Yes, until they start making money, then everything changes.

Over the years I have asked clients, who profess to be Christians and approach me for a partnership-agreement (or similar a document), to go back and answer 10 questions before I will start the process. An estimated 8 out of 10 does not return.

The questions?

1. What will we do when we make money?

2. What will we do when we lose money?

3. Who will have the final say? (Don't tell me everything will be unanimous.)

4. How big do we want to grow? (When will enough be enough?)

   Do we agree on Biblical principles of:

5. honesty - or will we have a secret cash receipt book SARS will not know about, or an inflated “expense account”, or .... etc.?

6. equal scales - or will VIP customers be treated differently by receiving better discounts and preferential pricing?

7. integrity – will we will stick to our quote / price or our product & service, no matter if it ends up costing us?

8. tithing – are we called to fund His Kingdom or just ours? (And to what extent?)

9. accountability – towards each other, our spouses and Him ultimately?

10. stewardship – will we always acknowledge His ownership and when a problem present itself ask the question: “What will honor Him?”

 Decide on your values and principles before you start the partnership.

I have noticed (without fail) that when a believer and a non-believer enters into a partnership, it is merely a matter of time before the believer will compromise.

2 Corinthians 6: 14 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”