Close your eyes and imagine a picture of a successful business. What do you see? High revenues and satisfied customers? How about a quickly expanding industry? Million-dollar deals? Every entrepreneur hopes and prays to see this picture and more.

But while all these are fair metrics of success, a Christian business owner must look not only at his business plan but also at the Word of God to see how He defines true success.

The thing is, for a Christian, success means having a higher purpose for doing business—to honor and give glory to God.

But don’t be mistaken. There is nothing wrong with working hard to increase profit, win more customers, and draw-up bigger business goals. Actually, as a Christian, you are called to be a good steward of the business God has entrusted you. Therefore, you must strive to keep getting better to be able to succeed.

A closer look at success

Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) is undeniably one of today’s most remarkable businessmen. In an article by Business News Daily, author Ekaterina Walter reveals the five P’s of Zuckerberg’s success in her book entitled “Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook’s Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg.”

In your quest to look success in the eye, there is nothing wrong with following after trailblazers like Zuckerberg. After all, he’s arguably the best. But keep in mind that God also has a measure of success that’s more than just profit.

So as you look at Zuck’s success, make sure you look at it with Biblical eyes to help you better apply his tips in your Christian life.

Success is ‘Passionate’

Zuckerberg says be passionate about what you are doing. Pursue something you believe in and be committed.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Success is ‘Purposeful’

It’s not all about the product you’re selling, but how you’re touching lives.

As a Christian, make sure your business has a purpose higher than just making money: use it to help others or share the Gospel.  “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Success cares for ‘People’

Zuckerberg builds people up. Remember, your people are the ones who will help you carry out your vision.

In your pursuit of success do not forsake helping others. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.

Success creates innovative ‘Products’

Like Zuckerberg, God can enable you to do something innovative, like Facebook, that changed the world.

“See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.” Exodus 35:30

Success builds ‘Partnerships’

You can’t do everything alone. Zuckerberg builds powerful partnerships with people to energize his vision.

Relationships matter to God. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9.

As we go through life, it’s not wrong to follow after the footsteps of some of the best people in their field, but always put God’s ways and His word higher than anyone and anything. Sure, we want to replicate their success, but never forget that true success comes only from Jesus.