This Book of the Law...

Now that I've established my belief that God is for us and not against us, it makes sense to tell you that I don't believe that that is enough.  Shocking statement, isn't it?  But , I believe that statement is the truth.  Here's why...

Joshua 1:8 says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

The responsibility for your success lies with YOU, not with God. 

Religion delays results but faith is now.  Your success depends on you, on the words you speak, on the choices you make, and even by the friends you choose.  You are able to make your way prosperous financially, physically, mentally, emotionally and relationaly by being a DOER of the Word, and not a hearer only.

For business, the doing of the Word involves practicing what is 1) right and 2) just and 3) fair.  It means not only looking out for our own interests, but looking out for the interests of others.  It involves an understanding that a business based on a benevolent free market provides a service or good at a fair, competitive price so that the transaction benefits both the buyer and the seller. (For a biblical understanding of benevolent free market, read the Uncle Eric series by Richard Maybury.)

For example, my first business, a logistics tracking service, provided an opportunity for me to serve another business by providing manpower to schedule delivery details to the importer of goods from foreign countries to their buyer's chosen destination.  I negotiated fees up front, signed a contract, and began working all within a few weeks.  The client was happy to pay me a percentage of each delivery's value as the cost of doing business. I was willing to work for the amount he suggested, and because I was able to work from home, I kept my overhead costs very low and earned a high margin of profit.

But it was still work.

That's part of the key to success.  God's model of prosperity is that we first believe He is for us, (which is hearing), and then we do what He said, (which is the doing). This model works for every area of life. But, YOU have to work it!

So, are you getting the picture?  God wants us to be successful in every area of life, including business.  It doesn't matter the kind of business.  It only matters that YOU FOLLOW THE MODEL for successful business.  It means being a person of good character, integrity, and understanding.  It means believing that God gives you insight into His plan for your life, direction for walking out His good plans, and creative ideas for doing business that, as Bill Winston says, "will outrun your counterparts!"

To be that person, you have to hear God's Word, and you have to purpose to develop your own character and personality.  Another little, but powerful, book that I recommend is The QBQ, by John Miller, and the companion volume, Flipping The Switch, which both teach leadership by personal accountability.  I found them very helpful in gaining an understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses, and in developing the mindset of leadership by servatitude. They are very small volumes, easily read in an afternoon and likely available from your public library.

Purpose from now on to do find out what is right, just and fair according to God's Word, and to do that, even if it appears that it costs you.  God is the God of Justice, and rewards those who strive to do what is good in His sight.  Right-eousness and justice are the foundation of His throne!  If you do what is right in His sight, you will be successful!