Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything.” The “Key” seems clear. Seek the Lord… but does this apply to business?
You would think it strange for a pastor not to pray before presenting a message to the congregation. Is your business less important than the sermon? No. That’s because your business is the sermon. Please, please stop using the phrase “business is business” as if it lives in its own capsule separated from the rest of God’s design. The truth is this: your business decisions glorify your truest values. How you make decisions expose what you believe, not what you know.
People, including business leaders, act on what they believe, not on what they know. A person can “know” the wisdom found in Scripture but if it’s not practiced, it can’t be learned in the “believing” sense. Once we by faith follow biblical principles, we will see with our own eyes the better way. Then faith and sight are married together in experience and the business leader has learned the key to success.
Remember, we first walk by faith and then we see what the Lord wants us to see! So what does seeking the Lord look like in business?
1. Start each day devoted to making the Lord your advisor. Seek him in prayer and in short readings. I encourage you to read a chapter of Proverbs every day that corresponds with the day of the month. So if it’s the fifth of the month, read Proverbs chapter 5. There are also many good books written by and for Christians who lead in the marketplace.
2. When you read a principle found in Proverbs, highlight it and ask yourself this question: “How can I practice this principle in my business this week?”
3. Some principles are more difficult to follow than others. And some don’t give you the return on your investment as you had hoped, at least not as fast as you would have liked. Be patient and see how wisdom wins in the end.
4. Associate and gather with like-minded Christian leaders. Even if it’s only once a month. Talk about the issues you face and see how others who share both your faith and your challenges respond.
5. Share with younger leaders what you have learned along the way. Frankly, you may not appreciate all that God has taught you until you become willing to mentor others.
