THE BIBLE AND YOUR BUSINESS

Andrey,

The answer to your question doesn't really belong here. It's not a secret though. If you really want to know, ask me when we can talk face-to-face.

John

Thanks John, hope to meet you at the SoCo Connectors - 04/30/2008.

-Andrey

Replying to Sierra's question about who has "cracked one open" recently: I read the Bible daily. I begin my day with a "quite time" over coffee. I also use that time to pray, journal and plan. It's a discipline I took up several years ago and look forward to every morning.

Replying to Sierra's question: I've set a goal starting January first 2008 to read the Bible [one chapter in 4 different Bible versions] everyday without missing a day.

Today is day 110 and I've read 440 chapters this year.

I also participate in something I call "WWG" [Walk with God]. A few time a week I drive out at night to a park or boardwalk and spend time praying, talking, and worshiping God.

God Bless!

PS: The meaning of Goodbye is "God be with you."

-Andrey

This is an interesting topic and some thoughtful comments. I'll chime in.

It's unfortunate that 'religion' is given a bad rap or that it's seen as being old fashioned - especially when it comes to business. Do you realize that much of Christ's ministry revolved around the market place? He taught fishermen, attorneys, tax collectors and doctors. Most of His teachings surrounded how these business people could do their business better. He taught 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. What better business advise could you get? In Proverbs and Psalms, we get tons of lessons on using common sense and other great advise. This isn't 'old fashion' or outdated material. It forms the very bedrock of our society. To abandon these principles is to invite chaos. I invite Christ into my business as a full partner. Consider this story: We're told about a bunch of the fishermen coming back from a long day's work having been unable to catch a single fish. Christ took them out one more time, told them where to throw their nets, and they were filled beyond measure. Why? Because He knew where the fish were! Yes. That's the kind of business advisor I want helping me with my business.

Give it a chance.

Richard, thanks for having the courage to bring up a sensitive, but powerful topic.

As a former professor of world religions and comparative philosophies you'd think I'd have a long treatise on your question. But I don't I have just one experience that comes to me again and again when I work with clients in search of vocational clarity. They often ask, "Why is this taking so long? Why aren't I making money after doing what I love to do? Why me, why me?" Okay, that example is a little extreme but you get the idea. So many of us treat the world as if it were a person or a personal god punishing or rewarding them for good effort/bad effort. To me, you need not be in any specific faith group to operate this way -- it's so prolific in every culture. But, one thing I like to say that quotes the Bible is from the Wisdom section -- the one where the faithful keep asking WHY ME, WHY ME?... "It rains on the rich and poor alike." That's my favorite biblical passage.

p.s. I'm also an ordained HUMANIST minister who loves to function as your legal Wedding Officiant ready for hire...

I think that we forget that life is a journey not a destination. The Bible teaches us that it's HOW you live it that matters not what you get out of it.

Yes...if Biznik members were Haliburton, Lockheed...

Oh Richard. Come on.

You tackled religion head on. The only two left are politics and sex. (Hopefully not together.) ;)

Again Richard, congratulations on getting so many posts on this talk and what a great way to really get to know people. People have demonstrated a great sense of humor, quick wit, shared their experiences and knowledge on the subject. It has been truly facsinating.

Cheers!

Helen

I heard that for the first time (poly-tics) from Julia Patterson of the King County Council when she spoke at a Chamber of Commerce lunch. The audience roared.

If anyone is up to the "sensitive topics" job, it's you, Richard. I agree with Helen. You have facilitated a sharing of beliefs that could have turned ugly and you did such a great job as the moderator.

Maybe if I sold bibles.

I hear more and more about this subject in the news and in our community these days. In general 3 areas came to mind right away.

1. How we treat others. Jesus defined "Who is my neighbor?" question (some of you bible experts could give the location of that passage)... And he defined it by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. Now as I heard it Samaritans were the ones hated by the Jews and this was way worse than any race issues we have in this country. So now we have to "do business" with everyone... with integrity... with our neighbors... so to speak.

2. Truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the Truth, and the life... " and he talked more about truth than most other subjects. Seems like this was a big one for him. The Truth Project (by focus on the family) is now a very popular DVD series playing a lot this fall in many communities. I just wanted to say that truth is now popularly defined as "what is true for you.." is okay. Or the ever popular truth is relevant.

3. I am not wanting to open a new can of worms. I just wanted to note culturally that until the bible came along there was not much thought given to "society practice". But once here, sexual preference and practices in our society are looked at differently. My point is the bible was the main influence here too.

A local networking group BING (business integrity networking group) has changed to BIG (Business Integrity Group) partially because networking was not what they did well and partially because of the bible and wanting to have values and integrity in business.

Last: All the passages in the new testament between Masters and Slaves could easily be substituted for Employers and Employees and then those could be valuable ideas for the small business person. Cheers, Jim

I tend to avoid mixing religion with business. We've already seen the results of mixing religion with politics...the rise of the Dominionists

I think the dominionists thing came from the interpretation of the bible and the religion that was interpreting the message.
It seems to me this continues to be a touchy subject simply due to lack of agreed upon interpretation. It would be so much easier to describe the true meaning of things if we all agreed on what every single word means.

Here's an idea to add to the mix: Religious view points can be manipulative.

One thing that religion can do, in this day and age, is confuse things because it's already a "loaded" subject. Because of this sort of backing - there tends to be a strength to standing by a religious reason behind actions.
It tends to offer a sort of "padding" around people who choose to use it. Outside of that "padding" there are those that question the integrity of the human being standing before them but cannot seem to argue with the stance of "faith" or religious reasons for acting.

This presents a predicament that is much like race or not talking about fat and weight issues.

In a big way, it can go unchecked - it can manipulate when used and unquestioned. (i keep thinking of a south park episode where cartman sings jesus tunes and gets exposed as a fraud - funny and disturbing)

however! the bible itself is a TOOL

going back there to the basic concept of perception and agreeing that words have the same meaning.

Bible to me, does not equal "religious"

it's a tool. in it. one can find sound advice for business, if you can stand to use it for such an end.

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.

Learn from their ways and become wise!

Through they have no prince

or governor or ruler to make them work,

they labor hard all summer,

gathering food for the winter

But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?

When will you wake up?

A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest-

then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;

scarcity will attack you like an armed

robber." (- proverbs 7:6-11)

My short answer to the original question is: yes. I think the Bible is ripe with great examples that translate very well to running a business. A short list of examples that are paraphrased:

Plan and run your plans past several advisers you trust: Proverbs 15:22

Plan, plan, plan. Don't give up in the face of adversity. Don't let detractors get you down. Plan some more. Don't stray from a good plan. Review your plan constantly. Execute the plan. Enjoy the rewards: The book of Nehemiah

Have a vision bigger than that which you think is attainable: Solomon's life comes to mind, but this theme is throughout the Bible.

Money, materials and fame isn't everything and isn't what matters at the end of your life: Likely Solomon again in the book of Ecclesiastes.

I feel those are some examples that are fairly neutral for anyone that doesn't believe everything in the Bible or tends to shy away from "religious" dialogue.

Thanks for the question, Richard!

Oh my yes. Jesus was a businessman. He owned a carpenter shop. In those days that was very important for people furnishing their homes. He had to deal with supplies, customers, paying bills and all of the other things business people do. The whole book of Proverbs tells us how to do business. I own 2 businesses and the Bible is the way I start and end every day. It is how I govern my life as a whole and business is one part of my life. Anyone who has not taken time to read the Bible is missing the wisest man who ever lived and his recommendations for life. I have the most amazing miracles take place almost daily and "hidden riches in secret places" landing on my door step. My husband also owns a business and he, too, is committed to putting God's Word first in our lives daily.