Called to Business

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6)

How many times has God helped you out? How many times has He provided for you in your hour of need? Many times He works for our advantage and we are completely unaware.

So what should our response be? How often do we acknowledge Him in what we do, what we say and how we act. We can acknowledge it to Him. Saying thank you to God is an important part.

“Doing life” His way is a major way of acknowledging His Lordship in our lives. Acknowledging His Lordship in our influence and success, or overcoming of life’s problems, is not only a witness but will help align ourselves to His will.

When all is aid and done and we stand before God. The complexity of our journey will be shown to have been a straight path, where we have acknowledged Him and done it His way.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to remember to acknowledge you, in all I do.” Amen

“And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3)

Imagine the smartest guys in the world all in the same room? The business worlds who’s who. Buffet, Jobs, Gates, Morgan, whoever you want. You have absolute access. How exciting would that be?

We have access to a mind, an understanding, a power of change, a foreseer of all, with an infinite capacity, and all the time and individual attention we want. Yet sometimes we loose the comprehension of such access. It cost a lot. More than money can buy. Let’s not take it for granted.

There is an essence in the scripture that understanding and wisdom need to be toiled for, as searching for gold, or silver. There is a measure of discipline, sweat, dedication and work required. Will we pay the price for insight beyond our realm of understanding? Will we seek the wisdom of God? Wow, what a privilege to have access to to the throne room of unfathomable grace.

Quick Prayer. “Please give me insight into those things that prevail against me.” Amen

“Roll your works upon the Lord, commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and so shall your plans be established and succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)

If only my thoughts were aligned to God’s will. Take a look at this scripture. If we cast our works onto Him, commit and trust them to Him, He will make us think along the lines of His will. Why? So that your plans will work, and you will have success!

That is staggering in it’s significance. Trust Him and He will turn our hearts to His will. We know that if we are in His will, He will guide us and lead us. How comforting to know that as we commit our works to Him, He will turn us to not only hear from Him, but our very thoughts become His thoughts. Truly the mind of Christ.

Quick Prayer. “I commit my business to you, please align my thoughts to your will that my plans may succeed.” Amen

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Sometimes our natural tendencies can come to the fore. Pausing to seek God’s wisdom can often shift our view, and may save us from an unseen consequence. It is worth considering that we are not always right ad that God has a better view.

When we belong to God we are in His Kingdom, under His jurisdiction. To prosper in this realm we need to follow the auspices of the King. Doing it God’s way should be our prime modus operandi, even when it doesn’t make worldly sense. But occasionally we need some specific insight. Asking God and expecting an answer is part and parcel of a walk with a personal saviour.

Quick Prayer. “Show me your way Lord, that I may walk in it.” Amen

“Surely there is a future and your hope will not be cut off”. (Proverbs 23:18)

Sometimes, life is tough. Often very tough. But we serve a God who is a redeemer.

Regardless of what you face today, there is hope in God. Even self inflicted trouble can be redeemed by Him. King David the adulterer and murderer, who took another man’s wife and had her husband killed, was forgiven and his situation redeemed. The fruit of this relationship was Solomon, the greatest and wisest of all. God created a future and hope; and was David’s salvation.

There is a future and God loves you, cares about you, died for you.

He still has a plan and purpose for your life, regardless of your circumstances.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you for hope, you are my salvation.” Amen

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5.)

The old adage goes; “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Cliched, yes, but it is none the less true, and the scriptures agree. I have seen many business plans that have been so long and so complex, as to render them useless. They go straight in someone’s bottom drawer, only to see the light of day at the next ‘strategic review.’

Planning in its purest sense is clearly identifying what you want t look like in the future. Taking a view, say three years hence, and very clearly, and more importantly, demonstrably and empirically, writing down in the simplest measurable terms, what your business should look like. My personal view is to do this as an “ideal sweet spot” in your industry, regardless of your current state.

The second phase looks at how you will get from where you are now, to where you want to be. Just the significant things that need to be done. A short list broken down into 90 day segments. A list of no more that ten things that will build you toward your stated goals. Again these should be measurable, demonstrable and allocated to a specific resource. Review this every 90 days and set your next goals, taking into account any changes in the internal or external environment over the last 90 days.

This is a one page, goal driven planning process that is flexible, easy to understand, inclusive and moves you toward where you want to be. You will be amazed you quickly you can move. The planning process ensures you focus on what is important, rather than what is urgent. That you focus on what will make you great, rather than just good. That is a vital distinction.

Quick Prayer. “Lord, help me to plan, and as I commit these plans to you, bring them to pass according to your word. Thank you and Amen”

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Pro 15:22 NASB)

When we are in leadership, we often feel we need to be seen to have all the answers. Often we think we do have all the answers. The Scriptures are very clear that, despite our blind confidence, we don’t. We need others’ perspectives to get a holistic view.

Often in our business we are removed from the reality of day-to-day contact with customers and suppliers. those on the front line will often have massive insights into our problems and opportunities.

Even when identified, open dialogue and input are desirable for a clear view. Proverbs 19:20 emphasizes the point, saying, “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days” (NASB).

Quick Prayer:

Lord, help me to listen to those you have placed around me. Amen

“Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3.)

When you are making plans please be careful. Invite God into what you are doing. He may well have a different agenda. Prayerfully consider any important decision and seek the wise counsel of others.

Make a point of committing your works to God. Offer them up to Him in a specific way that you are comfortable. Doing this will allow His blessing to fall and His wisdom to prevail. You will see opportunities you didn’t see before, and be amazed at the way things begin to line up.

When times are tough you will know God is with you as you have committed your business to Him.

Quick Prayer. “Father, I once again commit my business to You. Lead me, guide me, and establish my plans according to your will and word.”

“‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:8)

What do we think about? What occupies our attention? If you are in business, or even if you are not, I am sure material wealth is a core focus. We worry about what we have, don’t have, want or feel we need. If we have a lot, we are concerned with its preservation. Not enough, we are concerned by where it will come from. This has two effects, takes our eyes off what is truly important, and causes us concern.

The antidote is a clear understanding of where the true ownership is. If all wealth is God’s and we have surrendered to Him and walk in His precepts, He cares for us and will provide all we need. He even promises to give us the desires of our heart. It is all His, truly His, exclusively His. Lets keep are eyes on what is real and eternal, not artificial and temporal.

Quick Prayer. “Forgive me for being so focused on the physical.” Amen

“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.” (Leviticus 25:23)

Is God interested in real estate? Yes He is, very interested as it turns out. A small strip on the edge of the Mediterranean has been the central focus of His redemptive purpose and the attention of the world for generations.

This land, our land and all land belongs to Him. When we transact or own the land we are merely leaseholders for our Lord, stewards of His property. Land ownership as we understand it, is a misnomer. With this in mind, let us be generous, productive and mindful when dealing with land and always acknowledge its true owner.

Let’s serve people and steward land with an open hand; generous, gracious and grateful.

Quick Prayer. “I acknowledge that all land is yours Lord” Amen