The Business Plan

"May You direct us by Thy Word as we make decisions for this business" prayed a business owner as he started the day.  How many of us have known business owners who made that commitment on Sunday, but lived by a different moto on Monday.  2 Peter 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"  Our economy today does not need another business model to attempt; what our economy needs today are business owners who are willing to surrender their business to the Lord.

OUR MOTIVE.  Week after week, business after business close their doors for the last time.  During a tight economy, it seems that only the strongest businesses survive for another day.  Only the "hungry" are able to succeed; only those willing to push, struggle, and fight their way to the top are awarded the privilege of another quarter of profits.  Colossians 1:18 ends with these words, "that in all things He might have the preeminence".  When we read about the love of money being the root of all evil in 1 Timothy 6:10, we forget about the rest of the verse: "which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  The sin of loving money is always delegated to the "other guy", while we justify our hunger for the dollar by the words, "it is just business".  In the very Word of God that we long to direct us, we read that it is impossible for us to love both God and money.  If the motive of our business is the dollar, may we learn to put off our idolatrous ways, and again place HIM in that preeminent position.

OUR MESSAGE. The success of a business often depends upon the favor of those who have contact with our business.  Without customers, there is no business.  In our effort to succeed in business, we place our best foot forward and declare that the "customer is always right".  Matthew 5:16 gives us our message: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  1 Peter 2:12 takes it one step farther with "Having your conversation (behavior - let's use the word business dealings) honest among the Gentiles (let's use the word - customers): that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."  Book after book and seminar after seminar are searched and read in order to determine the best way to increase leads, sales, bottom lines, and ultimately, business.  May we search the Word and see that our true objective is to conduct our business not to promote ourselves, but to promote our Lord.

OUR MIGHT.  Colossians 3:23 gives us this directive: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;".  To work heartily means to work out of breath.  Drive down any Main Street and you will find exhausted business owners.  The labor force that has committed themselves to working harder, longer, and smarter than the competition.  May we not forget the end of this known verse: "as to the Lord, and not unto men".  Can we pray that God would direct our business through His Word, and then admit that we have wore ourselves out working for ourselves? The very next verse ends with these words: "for ye serve the Lord Christ".  Check your exhaustion at the door at ask yourself: who did I serve today?

OUR MORALS. It would seem that if our motive, our message, and our might are all centered on Christ, it should directly impact our morals and our business ethics.  1 Peter 2:13 commands us to "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake".  In the realm of business, the ordinances, legislation, and basic red tape is nearly endless and increasing at an astounding rate, all placed upon the already struggling business.  The Word-directed business is going to submit to EVERY ordinance of man, but again the objective is directed to the Lord ("for the Lord's sake").  There are often legislator-introduced loopholes for small businesses and it certainly could be claimed that taking advantage of those loopholes is practicing good stewardship; but we better make sure that we are not creating our own loopholes and again justifying our sin.  The only Biblical "loophole" in regards to 1 Peter 2:13 involves the simple statement that it is better to obey God than man (Acts 5:29).  "Submitting yourselves to every ordinance" means that every ordinance is examined in light of the Bible, not according to our bottom line or feasability.  If that ordinance is contrary to the Word of God, we must chose to obey God, but we must also submit ourselves to the civil penalty of that decision.

It would seem that the business that practiced those four points of God's business plan would be handicapped in today's dog-eat-dog market.  2 Peter 1 started with the statement that we have everything we need for our life and godliness, and it concludes with this statement "ye do well if ye take heed" (2 Peter 1:19).  Search God's Word thoroughly, there is not a crown, not even a certificate for the business that grossed the greatest assets; there is no recognition for the business that acquired the largest client-base.  The crowns of eternity are not based on bottom-lines and capital but in simple obedience to His Word!  It would certainly be far better to hear "well done thou good and faithful servant" in eternity, than to have the praises of man here on this earth!

There are plenty of business men that have committed their businesses to the Lord with their mouths, but their very actions prove that their hearts are far from Him!  The principles of God's Word never pretended to be popular; they never pretended to be defended and promoted by those of the World; but, the principles of God's Word SHOULD CERTAINLY direct the business of the Christian.  May He truly direct our steps through His Word!