Called to Business

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” (Proverbs 4:6)

There are two kinds of wisdom: worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. The worldly kind is fine, but in Godly wisdom we gain an eternal perspective and the wisdom of ages—the wisdom of a Creator who knows us intimately and formed us individually.

Pressing into God and seeking His wisdom has great benefit in all we do as we serve God in the marketplace. Godly wisdom is often in contrast to worldly wisdom, and the truly wise can discern the difference.

True wisdom always originates with Him Who is wisdom. He is not only the origin of all true wisdom; He is wisdom itself. Wisdom is a characteristic of who God is. When you seek wisdom, you are seeking Him.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to truly seek Godly wisdom Lord.” Amen

“Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.” (Proverbs 1:23)

I hate discipline. When God is working on something in my life, those adjustments are sometimes not easy. However, as we respond to those things, God begins to talk to us, reveal more of Himself, and makes known more of His character and ways. Sometimes we miss out on His blessings because we resist His correction.

These corrections are always for a purpose. He will often highlight a behavior because it may well cause us to stumble down the track. He doesn’t do it for His entertainment but for our greater good.

His promise is to “pour out His thoughts.” Imagine that—thinking the thoughts of God.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you that there is wisdom after a rebuke.” Amen

“How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!” (Proverbs 1:17)

We live in a world saturated with overt marketing and an information highway driven by social media. Blatant marketing is now receiving the distain of educated and critical consumers. We need to be much smarter in how we present our products in a desirable light.

Influencing the influencers, experiential marketing, social responsibility and alignment with good causes, are all good ways to target marketing without shouting about the brand, and getting a negative response.

If you want to be really creative, how about asking the Creator. In Him is the fullness of creativity and the fullness of wisdom. What an indescribable resource.

Quick Prayer. “Please fill me with your wisdom and strategies.” Amen

“Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.“ (Proverbs 12:13)

Talk, talk, talk. We do a lot of it, in particular in leadership positions. But how much is really constructive? We also talk a lot of rubbish sometimes, or is that just me? If evildoers are trapped in their talk, we should be aware of this lesson and ensure our talk is liberating, encouraging, and limited.

This word also seems to show a path of escape as others trap themselves in their talk. Wisdom would therefore commend some careful consideration before talking. Sometimes saying nothing is an appropriate response. We can be profound just in our silence, and there is a time to say nothing and to walk away.

Quick Prayer. “Give me wisdom when confronted with evil talk.” Amen

“Yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” (Proverbs 6:8)

Life comes in seasons. A time to plant, a time to wait, a time to harvest, a time to store away grain. How we act and what we do with our resources should be driven by an awareness of what season we are in. Economies have seasons as do businesses. Do not assume plenty will always be there.

Alternatively if you see no fruit but have sown faithfully your harvest will be coming. Sometimes it rains in Summer and the sun shines in Winter. Discerning timing is a key part of a successful business. God can give you that insight.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to be aware of what season I am in.” Amen

“She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.” (Proverbs 5:6)

Where are you going? What are you trying to achieve? What is the future state of your company that you are aiming to get to? We all need direction in order to focus, to allocate resources, and to create vision and momentum. If we don’t know where we are going, how will we know when we get there?

Don’t be aimless and wander. Ask God for clarity of direction. He has a plan and purpose for your life. Part of our destiny is orchestrated and for part we need to partner with God, hear from Him, and impact our circumstances with faith prayer and action.

How can we be obedient if we do not hear, and how can we hear if we do not listen?

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

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8)

If you are in a leadership position in business, God has given you influence. What will you use it for? To bless yourself and your family? Yes, that is fine. To bless others in your company or church? That is fine too. But what of those who have no voice in society, those who have no influence or resources—who will speak for them? How will their voice be heard and justice done?

Often we see life through our own worldview, blissfully unaware of others who are less fortunate than ourselves. It is our duty to look again and ask how we can help. You can make a difference.

Is God speaking to you today?

Quick Prayer. “Let me see the needs of others, and the courage to speak for them.” Amen

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” (Proverbs 12:1)

It is easy to forget that God is our Father, and like all good fathers, He will bring correction and discipline from time to time. This is often manifested in difficult circumstances or a word from someone else. How should we react to these events?

Getting before God to understand what adjustments He wants to make in us is a good start. We can be thankful that we have a loving Father who wants the best for us. Our attitude to receiving discipline and correction will determine our ultimate altitude in life and our walk with Him.

If you keep getting a “Why am I here again?” feeling, you may not have learned the lesson yet.

Quick Prayer. “I need your correction in my life Lord, help me to be aware.” Amen

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” (Proverbs 10:11)

Fountains are wonderful. They are refreshing, life giving, beautiful, and awe inspiring. Our words should refresh, encourage, and inspire those around us.

The alternative doesn’t bear too much consideration. Today be aware of what you say. Are you speaking life or death? Your mouth should be a fountain of life.

Try and be conscious of what you say and its possible impact. If you are anything like me, you will be surprised by how little you say that enlightens the life of others. Maybe that is why the wise seem to speak little and listen a lot.

Look for the opportunity to refresh someone at work this week. You well may be surprised by the reaction, though I would hope it is not one of total surprise.

Quick Prayer. “Let the words of my mouth refresh others.” Amen

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)

Avoiding shortcuts and not burning bridges are two ways of protecting your reputation. Being pleasant to deal with, regardless of how difficult a situation or how bad a deal goes, will ensure your reputation stays in place.

The Bible places such things above material gain and above precious jewels. We too should have the same perspective. We are the physical manifestation of God’s love to the world, after all. Often people will judge God by how they see us.

Protecting our reputation protects God’s reputation; we are, after all, His representatives.

Quick Prayer. “Please protect my reputation.” Amen