BUSINESS AND THE BIBLE

By: Alvin G. Bilolo

MANY PEOPLE THINK OF THE BIBLE AS A BOOK OF SPIRITUAL ADVICE, BUT IT IS FAR MORE THAN THIS. IT CONTAINS FACTS AND WISDOM ABOUT GEOLOGY, WEATHER, CULTURES, LANGUAGES AND A MYRIAD OF OTHER SUBJECTS. IT ALSO CONTAINS MANY TRUE STATEMENTS ABOUT ECONOMICS, AND IT HAS A WEALTH OF GOOD ADVICE ON HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS.

12 BIBLE PRINCIPLES FOR BUSINESS

1. DILIGENCE

“Do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean (lowly) men.” - Proverbs 22:29

The word “diligent” in Hebrew means to be “quick, or skilful, or ready.”

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. – Romans 12:11 (NLT)

“Not (be) slothful in business; (but instead be) fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 (KJV)

Proverbs 27:23 says: “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.”

2. RIGHT PLANNING

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.”

He wants us to set before Him our plans, or enterprises, and our intentions FIRST. So before we get to the “thinking” part, we have to make it clear what we hope to DO.

New businesses need to work out the general parameters of the business – site, size, stock, suppliers, type of customers, staff, vehicles, and so on. There are dozens of details which need to be decided on before the doors open. For this to be done properly it is always wise to get advice from other people who already have the experience.

3. THINKING

Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

Wise input produces wise output. If we feed our mind on wisdom, and good information, when it comes to running a business, we will have one of our greatest assets with us all the time – our clear, positive thoughts.

4. MORALITY

A business cannot run indefinitely if it is based on corrupt practise.

Anyone who operates a business MUST have a good moral framework, or what is known as “ethics” to support every part of that business.

The moral laws operate reliably too, and no person is immune from their effects. Grasping them leads to success, ignoring or rejecting them leads to failure.

This is why God says, in Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked (person) forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

5. ACCURATE MEASURE

Deuteronomy 25:13-16 has some very salient wisdom, which is as modern and relevant as today. God commands that all weights and measures be equitable. In other words, when you buy something that claims to be 1 kilogram, it ought to be 1 kilogram, and the same goes for all and every transaction for any and every product.

Any business that does not charge fair price for accurate measures is courting disaster.

6. PUT GOD FIRST

The Bible commends Solomon the king on his enterprises, which involved both importing and exporting with nations far away from Israel. The queen of Sheba was extremely impressed by the prosperity which marked the king’s reign (see 1Kings 10 for more details). We are told, as a footnote to Solomon’s reign, that he managed to bring God’s Law, at least in large part, to bear on the people of Israel, so it seems that what’s good for a whole nation is good for the individual businesses within its border. The principles of God’s Law, even when practiced in part, are still valid today and always will be valid.

Take a tip from Solomon: put God first, obey God’s Law, and expect to see things take off.

7. PRINCIPLE OF SABBATH

Most people know about taking a break, or running off for a holiday, or resting up at least at the end of each busy day, so the Sabbath law is still kept, though in a multitude of different ways. Part of a healthy lifestyle has to include recreation. Humans are not built to be machines. We need variety, amusement, distraction and entertainment. We need avenues to be creative. A break is an important factor in running a business, because it refreshes the manager and staff and there are some studies which show that regular resting can extend one’s lifespan.

This spiritual aspect of the Sabbath is entirely missing from many businesses, whose only goal seems to be self-elevation and material gain.

8. HONESTY

Is it possible for an atheist to do well in business? Of course it is. It is overwhelmingly possible for a person of any philosophical or religious persuasion to do immensely well at business.

Psalm 37 is a good example of what we just said. In this Psalm the writer is complaining about rich people. He sees how wicked people “bring their plans to pass”, they are “rich”, they are well armed, they have “great power” and they “spread themselves like a green tree”, and they are always well fed and happy, but all through the Psalm the writer also notes that the wicked have their day. They will not last.

9. MOTIVES

A fundamental question we should ask if we are thinking of starting a business is “Why am I doing this?”

To continue with an inheritance Psalm 39 has some good advice for business people. “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.”

Ecclesiastes 2:20 says: “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity (or skill); yet to a man that has not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.” Or, as the proverb goes, “You can’t take it with you!” Examine your motives. Consider your purposes. Get your priorities right. Aim for quality of life, rather than quantity. Life is short; make the most of it while it lasts.

10. KINGDOM THINKING

There are two kingdoms in this world. One kingdom is guided by the Spirit of God; the other kingdom is driven by Satan. Whose kingdom do you serve?

Psalm 10 tells us about the second kingdom. “The wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy, and renounces the Lord.”

Psalm 112: “A good man deals graciously and lends, he will guide his affairs with discretion.”

When it comes to running a business, we have the same two choices. We can either run things on kingdom principles, or the very opposite. We can be generous and gracious or greedy and rude. We can dodge tax, and take money ‘under the table’ or declare everything, and pay our dues, even though in hurts. The Lord knows which way we are going and which kingdom we serve.

One kingdom model presents a person who is lazy, scheming, proud, greedy, materialistic, driven. The other model presents honesty, love, graciousness, genuine interest in customers, generosity and so on. Both models are capable of great success, but only one model pleases the Lord, and generates integrity.

11. LABOUR OR LUXURY

“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Ecclesiastes 5:12

12. JESUS IS THE END RESULT

Applied to a business, a manager and staff would benefit greatly if they put God, the true God, at the head of their lives. Instead of seeking personal gain, the priority would be to please God. Jesus commanded that people should love God, love their neighbour, and love themselves. This, He said, was the first and greatest commandment.

God’s word is universal. It works for all people, all cultures, at all times. It was given to mankind for two reasons. First, to give us a framework in which to live, just as a set of rules allows a sports team to play.

The second reason God gave us the Ten Rules is to show us how difficult it is for any of us to meet the standard of righteousness which would qualify any of us to enter God’s Kingdom.

Biblical business principles, linked to committed Christ trusters, is a winning combination.

Reference: http://essays.mightymag.org/bible/how-to-run-a-business-using-bible-principles-intro/

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!