The Bible is not a business book. It is something greater. It is a book of life. Its decrees and precepts encompass all that we will ever go through in life.
If you are a business owner who would like to do what is right in the eyes of God, then you would do well to follow what the Bible says.
Joshua 1:8 states, “ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
There are Bible principles that you can certainly apply to your business, not only for yourself but as a means of building your company culture and values that honor the Lord.
1. Love your neighbor as you love yourself
A rich man asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. Hesus replied to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Jesus was quick to add: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40).
Loving your neighbor naturally flows from loving God. So if you love God, and you are a business owner, you will have no problem showing love to your employees, your customers, your peers, and even your competitors.
“Love your customers through the products and services you sell them and they will love you back for it.”
2. Apply the Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12 “ Do to others what you would want them to do to you.”
Jesus did not just mention the Golden Rule because it sounds fancy. He wanted to give us simple and easy-to-follow principles in how we should treat one another. If loving our neighbor seems a little bit abstract, the Golden Rule makes things easier to grasp.
Knowing what you know about your product, production, pricing, and sources; would you be delighted to buy your product as a customer? Are you going to walk away thinking that you got the best price and made a responsible purchase?
“Walking a mile in the shoes of your customers or employees is the best research a business owner can do.”
3. Be slow to anger
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32
As a Christian business owner, you move in a world dominated by none Christians. Do not expect people who have no Christian values, and maybe openly antagonistic, to play fair. Even Christians get up on the wrong side of the bed on some days.
You are not to lose your temper no matter what happens. Getting angry is not the problem. It is the things that we say or do when we are mad that we can truly regret and completely turn our lives upside down.
You need to be even-tempered at all times. Businesses have many moving parts and it’s a big responsibility with a lot of pressure. If you get upset at every little thing, your health will suffer. The people around you, your employees, and your family, will be miserable. Your quality of life will suffer which is what you wanted to improve in starting a business.
“People who get mad are people who stopped trying. Your God always makes a way.”
4. Do not withhold the good that you can do to those who deserve it
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” Proverbs 3:27
This does not only apply to salaries. It includes your employees’ social security contributions, benefits, commissions, bonuses, promotions, and leaves, among others. Our God never delays his blessings, they are always on time for you and for your workers.
Never delay employee benefits when they are already due, especially when you have the power and resources to make it happen. You are only getting in the way of God’s blessing for that person. That’s not a good place to be if God decides to teach you a lesson.
“Our business belongs to God, not us. If a tool loses its usefulness, the carpenter will throw it away.”
5. Listen to people
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14
You cannot possibly know everything nor see every point of view. Surround yourself with people who can give wise counsel. They may have already gone down the road you are now traveling on. Their experiences and wisdom will save you from making the mistakes they’ve made.
“One of the wisest things you can do is to seek wisdom from others.”
6. Do not isolate yourself
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” Proverbs 18:1
You will seldom see an introverted entrepreneur. A business owner is usually a people person. That’s because they know that people are their greatest asset, whether employees or customers.
Your employees also appreciate it when you stop by to talk to them. It shows that you care. Don’t just rely on your managers to tell you about the people you employ. Spend five minutes talking to someone on your rounds.
People tend to work harder and care more about the company if they are on a first-name basis with the company owner. You also tend to make better decisions when you see individuals as actual persons rather than just faceless workers.
“People may not fight for their bosses, but they will die for their friend.”
7. Keep a secret
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, Keeps his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23
Business owners and managers have access to sensitive information. It can be about the business or an employee. These are information that should be handled in secret to prevent undue anxiety on someone or misunderstanding between workers.
An example would be employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, or salary packages. This is not something that should be announced on a loudspeaker or posted on social media.
“There will be a time when God will lay bare all our secrets, so don’t preempt him.”
8. Know them beyond work
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” Proverbs 27:23
Running a business and managing people is stewardship. You are God’s steward not only of materials things but more so, of people. Your concern is not only to make better products but to also produce better people.
That’s how it is for Christians. There is nothing more precious on this earth than a human soul. It is sobering to think that what we do a Christians will influence people to draw near to God or be repelled by what passes as a believer in these days.
If you are truly serious about making a difference with God, then your concern for your employees does not end at outside the company walls. You will pray for them.
You can better pray for them if you know what are their challenges? What gives them joy? Is someone battling alcoholism, dealing with illness in the family, or doing volunteer work?
Praying for your workers, talking with them, and getting to know their families will give you insight into how God is using and can use your business to change lives.
“You don’t have any idea how far God can use you to bring people into his kingdom. Keep at it, and you’ll be surprised at the welcoming party in heaven.”
9. Don’t let gossip run around
“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” Proverbs 26:20
Business owners probably tend to get wind of more things than they care for. We brush off most of the chatter as mere gossip. But there are the juicy bits of rumor that people just can resist talking about. Then your meeting turns into a rumor mill which can cause pain, embarrassment, or mental anxiety for someone.
This type of behavior erodes the company values, encourages bullying, and compromises your testimony.
Set an example of quashing unfounded stories. Any sensitive matter in the minutes of the meeting should be labeled as confidential and not be discussed in the open.
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
10. Don’t show favoritism
“To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.” Proverbs 28:21
Do you know how Joseph ended up as a slave? Because his father Jacob played favorites. This may be an extreme example, but the Bible shows the disasters that can befall us and the people around us when we show partiality.
It’s understandable to give some people need a boost, every now and then. Cut them some slack. They may just be going through a rough patch in their lives. I see nothing wrong in giving a relative a job if he is qualified or willing to be trained.
But playing favorites is when you ignore glaring infractions and still reward the worker for his subpar job. This will only incite hate in other employees. It’s even worst if the employee is a relative.
Be sure to be considerate towards everyone. Reward those who always do a good job regardless if you praise them or not.
“Don’t don’t unfairly favor anyone. Make sure everyone gets their turn.”
11. Teach your employees to love learning
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1
Today’s technology is advancing at such a fast pace. Your employees should adapt and upskill. If they don’t, they will find themselves obsolete and you, out of business. One of your job as a Christian leader is to instill the love for knowledge and learning in your workers.
Investing in human capital development is one of the best things a business can do. Each employee’s skills, knowledge, and experience add value to your business. The more you train them, the more value they add to your business. This human capital ROI offsets any training cost you put upfront.
“A company is only as good as its people.”
12. Guard your Christian testimony
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2
Don’t give bribes, accept kickbacks, cut corners, cheat on taxes, and a million other things corrupt business owners do. People are watching you, especially if they know you are a Christian. Social media is ripe with Christians who didn’t make the right decision on a particularly bad day. The world is eager to roast the next great fallen Christian leader.
A reputation, once lost, is very difficult to rebuild. The Internet doesn’t not let people forget. Everything is recorded digitally. You are Christ’s ambassador. What you do in life ultimately reflects on Jesus.
“You are a book being read by people. Are they enticed to read more about God’s love or do they turn in disgust from what they just read. ”
13. Communicate effectively, keep all channels of communication open
“Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.” Habakkuk 2:2
Communications is important to a business. It fosters loyalty, builds the culture, safeguards transparency, and improves productivity. Effective management is effective communications. God often appoints leaders who are good communicators. Moses had the Ten Commandments, David his Psalms, and Jesus was Jesus.
Communications just makes a business easier to move forward. Create a formal feedback mechanism were people can safely voice their concerns. Without fear of judgment or reprisals.
“Any problem, big or small, within a family, always seems to start with bad communication. Someone isn’t listening.”
14. Teach them leadership
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” Exodus 18:21
Being a business owner is about leadership. You are tasked by God, not to make profits, but to change lives. This happens when you invest yourself in your employees. You train them not to be great followers but to be good leaders.
God spent forty years in the desert transforming Moses from a short-fused fugitive, into a spiritual giant that led the Israelites out of captivity. David grew from strength to strength protecting his flocks as a shepherd boy to a great king. Jesus spent three years with the disciples, mentoring them in the kingdom to come.
The gift of leadership is one of the best things you can give to your employees. It will help them overcome the struggles that are sure to come their way. Your business will only grow if you have leaders doing their best to glorify God.
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
