Sunday in worship at Gateway Community Church, where I am Pastor, we contrasted doing business the greedy way or God’s way. What does please God? Hear what God says: “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him… In all your transactions you must use accurate scales and honest measurements, so that you will have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. All who cheat with unjust weights and measurements are detestable to the Lord your God… What will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?… Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain… the worker deservers his wages.” (Proverbs 20:23; Deuteronomy 25:3-15; Job 31:14; I Timothy 5:18)
Suppose God scheduled a “business interview”, a heart-to-heart talk about you and your business. To prepare you for this business breakthrough, suppose He sent you a list of questions to ponder beforehand – a kind of “How Am I Doing?” checklist. Perhaps some of the following would be on God’s agenda for honest discussion, evaluation and possible promotion:
- Are you a person of integrity? (Your business eventually becomes what your are.)
- What’s your mission statement? (Is it profit only or God-directed and people and service centered?)
- Who owns your company? (You? Or have you turned ownership over to God while you are the trustee, His steward?)
- Do you train, encourage, recognize and reward your people fairly?
- Does your product or service really live up to your advertising?
- What three leadership qualities and/or techniques do you most often use?
- Are you still excited? Does it show?
- Have you improved your problem-solving skills? (Do others see the nine fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 in you?)
- What roles do the prayers of thanksgiving, petition and intercession play in everyday operation and personnel matters?
- What are you doing today to increase, improve and position yourself and/or your business in a better way?
- If you absolutely had to have an outstanding reference for a job you especially wanted – could you get that reference from your most recent client(s)?
- Does your business own you (and your marriage/family) or do you own your business?
- If God wants to discuss ownership, stewardship, craftsmanship and partnership over the past two years – what can you say?
They’re tough questions – no one can answer them perfectly. But we want to answer them in light of Jesus’ words: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you…Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:33; 5:16)
A working man or woman today will do well to “do business with God.”
Love in Christ, Chuck
P.S.: Share your “business” story? Let me hear from you.