Business
leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel
in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found
in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best
business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful
business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for
years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation,
improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best
principles to build a successful business. The following principles will help
any leader grow their business and kingdom impact so they will be able to hear
the words "Well Done" both in this life and the next.
Principle #1 -
Always Take The Second Step
Go a little further. Always do more than anticipated and
expected. Surprise others by paying attention to the little things that others
don't. Be different.
A
principle that is helpful in building a life and building a business is the
principle of going the second mile. Good companies develop a second-mile
mentality. Jesus himself gives this principle in Matthew 5:41. The New Century
Version records the statement as, "If someone forces you to go with him
one mile, go with him two miles." Jesus gives this principle to his
followers as a way for them to separate themselves from the culture in which
they were living to help others to see Him more clearly. In business, we also
need to separate ourselves so that others can see our business more clearly.
Too many companies expect second-mile results without giving second-mile
effort. It is always a good idea to do more than expected. Every company would
be wise to cultivate a second-mile mentality throughout their business.
Too many businesses expect second-mile results without
giving second-mile effort.
Principle #2 -
The Golden Rule Works If You Work It.
Make People First Things. Think of others first. Treat
others like you want to be treated. Practice thoughtfulness. When you think of
the customers, they will think of you.
A helpful
Biblical Principle on which to build a business is found in Luke 6:31. This
verse, which is known as the Golden Rule, states that we should "Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you." Many great businesses use this
principle as the foundation for their business. J.C. Penny used just this
one principle to start and grow his business into a thriving corporation. He
once was quoted as having said, "I cannot remember a time when the Golden
Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps."
The concept is to consider others first. The wise business leader and business
will always treat others as they would like to be treated.
Companies that don't think of their customers will not be
thought of by their customers.
Principle #3 -
Focus on Profit With a Purpose
Know your priorities. Live life and run your business with
purpose and vision. Profit is powerful. Profit used well can lead to both
success and significance. Attract others to your Mission and your Dream. Always
Explain your Why.
Every
successful business creates profits. It is often quoted in business circles
that you don't have a business until you have a profit. Every company has been
established and designed to create a profit. However, Christian leaders
understand that the wrong profit can be damaging. A biblical principle that
Christian leaders must follow is to build businesses that have a profit with a
purpose. Jesus asked his followers in Mark 8:36 "What good is it for
someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" This verse
teaches a powerful principle that every Christian leader should follow.
Profit is Good, Profit Used for Good is Better
Principle #4 -
Know Your Yeses and Your Nos.
Be decisive and make great decisions. Make decisions based
on values. Know You "No's." Say Yes to those things that will make
you and organization better. Live up to your Word. Make your signature mean
something. Fulfill your commitments.
Great
Decisiveness is a key to influential leadership. People cannot follow a person
that does not know where they are going or why they are going in the direction
that they are going. Jesus gives a secret to leaders when in Matthew 5:36, 37
he states "And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one
hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or
‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." The power to say
yes or no quickly means that you know where you are going and what you are
trying to accomplish. Make your words mean something. Develop and build trust
relationships by conveying to others that they can count on you and your
commitments. Many leaders lose their influence with others because they commit
to aspirational yeses. Leaders must know their "no's" and be quick to
say yes or no.
Know Your No's because your no's make all the difference.
Principle #5 -
Make the Move From Owner to Overseer
Practice steward leadership. Use the resources
wisely. Remember that God’s owns it all and He will reward those that use
his resources to their maximum capability. Be ready to give an answer for all
of your decisions. Seek to hear the words "well done."
An
essential shift for Christian business owners is moving from ownership to
stewardship. Jesus told a story in Matthew about a faithful servant. He ends
the story in Matthew 25:23 with these words, "His master replied, 'Well
done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I
will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's
happiness!'" Well Done, those two words are two of the most powerful words
in the English language. It should be the desire of every Christian business
owner to hear these words at the end of their journey.
Well Done, those two words are two of the most powerful
words in the English language.
Principle #6 -
Trust the Law of Sowing and Reaping
Sow bountifully. Be generous with your seeds. Plant daily.
Be constantly trying new things. Don't be afraid to start small. Practice
patience.
Laws of
life can be trusted because they have been proven through time. Successful
businesses know and trust the law of sowing and reaping. In 2 Corinthians
9:6 the Bible states that "the point is this: whoever
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully." The New Living Translation of the Bible records
this principle with these words. "Remember this - a farmer who plants only
a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a
generous crop." Don't be afraid of starting with a small seed. The harvest
you are reaping today is from the seeds that you planted yesterday. Another
part of the Bible reminds the readers that we will reap what we sow.
therefore sow bountifully and be on a constant lookout to reap your harvest.
The harvest you reaping today is from the seeds that you
planted yesterday.
Principle #7 - Believe and Ask for the Impossible.
Dream Big Impossible Dreams. Set big spiritual goals.
Stretch yourself and your team. Find new ways to look at old problems. Embrace
belief. Pray big prayers and expect bigger answers.
Everything
great starts with a dream. The world is better when people dream big and
believe that impossible things can happen. Challenge yourself to ask "what
if" questions and use your imagination to see the world in new and
different ways. People desires to be with leaders and organizations who have
big visions. Ephesians 3:20,21 states, "20 Now to him who is
able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen." God wants to do things that amaze you. Dream big and ask God to do
more than you ask or dream. A big vision inspires and attracts. Supersize your
thoughts and your beliefs.
What seems impossible with man, is possible with God.
Principle #8 -
Build To The 4th Generation
Work on big 7 year projects. Always do the right thing. Know
your core values and beliefs. Be forward thinking. Make decisions with tomorrow
in mind. Prepare for the future by making the right decision today. Know your
foundation.
Don't
waste time building things that won't last the test of time. Building on the
right foundation will help your business stand through the storms of market
changes. A key to building a great business is to act with integrity in all
situations. Integrity means doing the right thing in all situations at all
times. Martin Luther King Jr. taught that "The time is always right to do
what is right." He might have taken his inspiration from the words of
Proverbs 4:25-27 where the Bible teaches, "Let your eyes look straight
ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the
paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to
the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Businesses that are
built on a solid foundation are built to last generations. Companies that lack
a solid foundation are built on slippery ground that can crumble at any
time.
Our destiny unfolds in the future but it is shaped by the
decisions that we make today.
Principle #9 - Know the Order of Things and Work the Order.
Strive for clarity. Seek first the principles of God and His
kingdom. Know your priorities. Practice the art of first fruits in all aspects
of your life and leadership.
Order is
important. When a leader understands the order of things, things become easier
to understand. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus gave his followers a powerful principle to
follow. Jesus said, "But seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well." The first three words of this verse are
very instructive. Those words are "but seek first." A great principle
to practice in business is to focus on first things. When a leader understands
the order of things, things can become easier to understand. A leader must be
clear and push for clarity in all things. Make God and His principles your top
priority. Trust His order and seek first His kingdom.
When a leader understands the order of things, things become
easier to understand.
Principle #10 -
Improve Your Team To Improve Your Organization
Find the right and best people to bring around you. Make
people your top priority. Learn from everyone. Spend time with a wise team of
mentors. Learn faster by learning from others. Ask questions and listen. Seek
counsel. Help people to discover their gifts and talents. Find passionate and
reliable people.
Great
leaders learn from others to learn faster. You need a team around you to
inspire you and help you build something bigger than you can build alone. No
great leader ever led alone. Find your passion and add passionate people to
your team. A passionate person is worth four regular people. Passionate
people perform better. Ephesians 2:10 which states, "You
are God's workmanship who has been created to do good works that God has
prepared in advance." The power of this principle is both profound and
amazing. This verse reminds the Christian business leader that they have
been formed with a
purpose. In fact, not only have they been formed with a purpose,
every person on their team has been formed with a purpose. When a company finds
the gifts and passions of their people and discern how to release those
passions then higher productivity is enjoyed by the person and the company.
Passionate people are reliable people. The wisdom of others can be powerful.
Every great leader in the Bible had at least one advisor. However, many
business leaders try to do things all on their own. In fact, it is often said
that it is lonely at the top. It is only lonely at the top if you are trying to
lead alone. Steward leaders believe in the power of others.
When your people get better your organization gets better.
Principle #11 -
Do Things Today That Will Impact Today and Tomorrow
Invest wisely. Don't forget to invest in yourself. Make the
right investments to help the business to grow. Invest in your people. Invest
to grow your commitment and your passion.
A
principle that has shaped many businesses and business leaders is Matthew
6:21. Matthew states that "Where your treasure is, there is where
your heart will be also." Investment is another term for
treasure. Leaders are called to lead with passion or all of their
heart. Therefore a leader must make investments wisely. Leaders in
businesses are called upon to make many investments. A leader must make use of
the resources of the company to make the right investments in the business,
people, and infrastructure. When businesses are invested in wisely, the
business will grow. Good investments set the direction and the path of a
business to ensure its growth and development. When a business is neglected, it
is doomed to shrink and die.
When businesses are invested in wisely, the business will
grow.
Principle #12 - Work To Well Done
Excellent work is worthy work. Do everything for a bigger
purpose and a nobler cause. Innovate. Always improve and strive to make
products and service better. Always Upgrade and Improve. Think long term. Think
eternally. Show Your Value Through Products that are of High Quality.
Building a
business on Biblical principles requires a change of perspective. One essential
attitude that is essential for Christian leaders is to practice excellence at
all times and in all situations. The apostle Paul wrote these critical words in
Colossians 3:23,24. He said "Whatever you do, work at it with all your
heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord
Christ you are serving." Paul was reminding Christian leaders of the
higher call that is their lives. Christians are not called to do work that is
average, but rather Christians are called to do all of their work with
excellence in a way that honors God. When you work towards excellence in
everything you are on your way to hearing the "well done" from your
employees, your customers, and your God.
Excellent Work Is Eternal Work.
