Practical Biblical Principles for Running a Business
Plan Before You Begin.
Luke 14:28 advises us that before we begin a work we must plan carefully what is required for success.
Commit your Plans to the Lord
Proverbs 16:3,9: Our plans are futile if they are not approved by God.
Seek Godly Trusted Advisors
Proverbs 15:22 reminds us that plans fail for lack of counsel. Establish a Godly Board of Advisors.
Be Diligent.
Proverbs 22:29 advises us that the diligent in business will stand before kings.
Hard Work is Commanded by God
Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us that whatever we do, should do with all our might.
Hard Work Brings Increase.
Proverbs 31:17-18 advises that those that work hard shall see increase.
Misguided Hard Work Fails
In Haggai 1:6, The people had little for their hard work because they served themselves before God.
Do Not Cheat the Customer.
Deuteronomy 25:15 advises businesses to have a perfect and just scale.
Do Not Practice Deception
Leviticus 19:14 tells us not to take advantage of others, especially the disadvantaged.
Sell Quality.
Matthew 7:17 reminds us that a good tree bears good fruit. Produce good work that shows you belong to a good Lord.
Spiritual Biblical Principles for Running a Business
Be the Light
Matthew 5:14-16 is a great guiding principle for our business. It should be a means for us to let our light shine before men.
Pray Everyday
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: The most valuable thing you can do for your business is pray over it everyday.
Serve Your Customers
1 Peter 4:10: If you think of your business as an extension of your ministry, you will love your customers and they will feel your love.
Ephesians 6:7-8: See our service to others as an opportunity to serve the Lord.
Be Content
Hebrews 13:5: Don’t let money or success change you; neither will give you peace or make you happy.
Help Each Other
Hebrews 10:24-25: Make time to encourage other entrepreneurs. It’s a heavy burden we carry as business owners, and we all need to remember we are not alone.
Accept Counsel
Proverbs 12:1: Honest feedback is a gift. Seek it out and embrace it as a learning opportunity.
Forgive
Colossians 3:13: It is easy to feel wronged in business dealings. Practice diligently the spiritual principle of forgiveness.
Priorities
Everything we do can be evaluated by its importance and urgency.
- Things that are not urgent and not important to be avoided or ignored.
- Things that are urgent but not important should be delegated or rescheduled.
- Things that are both urgent and important need to be attended to immediately, but you don’t want to be operating in this mode.
- If you are managing your priorities well, you will spend your time doing things that are important, but not urgent.