Called to Business

“Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.” (Proverbs 15:16)

How much is really enough? What price are you paying for the extra you think you need? Is the ambition to be wealthier fogging your focus on God? That is a key question. Please think about that for a moment. Don’t dismiss it out of hand; it may apply to you.

Sometimes the price you pay is too much for the prize. What price are you paying? What price is your family paying?

Being grateful for what we already have can disempower the greed and consumerism that so easily ensnare us. Being content is a Godly attribute and reflects true priorities and a recognition that He has our best in mind.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you for what I already have Lord.” Amen

 

“In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” (Proverbs 21:1)

God has the power to change a man’s heart. He has the influence to give you favour amongst men and a willingness to open doors for His children. As His follower, you have a right to ask for His influence and favour. He may say no, or he may open a door that seems stuck fast.

Why not ask and see him empower you and your business as you seek to serve Him?

The right favour at the right time can bring breakthrough change. Sometimes we look at an option and say, “That would never happen.” But God is the God of the breakthrough, quite capable of moving a man’s heart and giving you favour. Ask Him; you may be surprised at the outcome.

Quick Prayer. “Lord would you incline the heart of those in authority toward me please.” Amen

“Those who have no sense deride their neighbours, but those who have understanding hold their tongues.” (Proverbs 11:12)

Sometimes the best thing you can say is nothing at all. Giving someone a piece of your mind may be a piece you can ill afford to lose.

There is grace in overlooking an offense, mercy in not taking retribution, and forgiveness in answering gently to a harsh critic. Grace, mercy, and forgiveness are all things that have been freely given to us.

Let’s treat others as God has treated us. Thank goodness He does not give us what we deserve. Why not treat others as God treats us? Our businesses will be all the better for it.

Quick Prayer. “Help me bite my tongue sometimes please Lord.” Amen

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

Business people tend to have a lot of acquaintances but not too many friends. Taking the time to build deeper friendships is a great investment. Character full friends who will be with you regardless of circumstances have enormous value. Perhaps you too can be a friend like that and enrich someone else’s life.

We are all busy, but when we take the time to invest in others, we find ourselves surrounded by friends. The ones who give and take, who love with reciprocity, who live transparently, and who will hold us in mutual accountability—those are our true friends.

Like all worthwhile things, true friendships develop over time, needs care and consideration, and can endure the good times and the bad.

Quick Prayer. “Give me wisdom in my friendships please Lord.” Amen

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

What a great promise. A straight path, true, accurate, full of purpose and direction with a sense of accomplishment. The required condition is “surrender”. Giving it all to God is a constant state, not a onetime event. We often see submission in a negative context, but here we learn that its outcome is positive and beneficial.

This is particularly true in business, where we are making decisions constantly and busy in a rapidly changing environment. Pause; take a moment, and submit your situation to God. You will be surprised how straight that path can become.

Quick Prayer. “I submit all I am doing to you Lord.” Amen

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

When we are in a position of authority in our company there is a temptation to be harsh. We can easily display emotions that are not appropriate. This is especially true when faced with an angry person.

The wisdom of this scripture is that an unexpected gentle response can disarm a potentially volatile situation. Often when challenged we may assume a gentle answer is a sign of weakness and that authority demands a certain demeanor. This scripture would indicate a better way.

Leadership does not demand that we act in a harsh or distant manner. Our example is Jesus. How did He act? Take a look in the gospels for an example of true leadership in action.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to be gentle.” Amen

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Ouch. With a scripture like that it behoves us to remain humble. Humility is not a “I’m just a worm” view it is a perspective that agrees with God and a focus that doesn’t exult ourselves at the expense of others.

It is a position that acknowledges that all we have and all we are comes from God. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, all good things come from Him. To think that we are somehow responsible for the gifts we have or the influence we have is not only proud it is also naive.

Quick Prayer. “Forgive me my self reliance, I put my trust in you Lord.” Amen

“In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

If we have given our lives to God he will guide our paths. What a reassurance that He is indeed in control. So should we stop planning, no of course not. But in our planning lets invite God to participate. He will anyway, so why not get an inside view? It can often be an easier journey.

We will plan and push out in a direction but it is God who will establish our steps, God who will watch over the direction and ultimately He who will determine the way. I take a lot of comfort in that.

Quick Prayer. “Establish my steps according to your word Lord.” Amen

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

I don’t know about you but I could do with more understanding. In particular an understanding that comes from the revelation of listening to the Holy Spirit. He is waiting to be invited into your business and wants to walk with you, guiding, leading, empowering and bringing understanding.

Let’s not relegate God’s wisdom and our understanding to a seemingly sacred context. Being vitally interested in our vocation, our calling at work, He is always willing to give insight. Invite Him into your business world again today.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to walk closely with you Holy Spirit.” Amen

“For receiving instruction in prudent behaviour, doing what is right and just and fair.” (Proverbs 1:3)

Here is a quick checklist that should guide all our behaviour in business. Is it right? Is it just? Is it fair? Often these are not considered in a business context, but if we are endeavouring to do it God’s way then this should be our context.

We get these instructions from revelation through the word of God. Sometimes our view of what is just and fair may not be God’s view. But His perspective will help us be prudent and do what is right. How would you like people to describe you? Right , just and fair would be a good start. If our decisions are based on Godly principles, maybe then our witness would be more effective.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to be right just and fair Lord.” Amen