6 Steps to Success in Business

For success in business spiritually as well as materially follow these six steps.

Step #1. Discover your Purpose in business. Why are you going into business? Are you in business for the sole reason to make money or are there other reasons to be in business. Remember the words of Joshua: But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15b) At the outset ask God to show His MINISTRY PURPOSE for you in business. Some ideas:

e.g. What kind of "brick layer" are you? It’s a job; it’s a living or is it a great cathedral?

Step #2. Plan your business start up or expansion carefully. Taking these seminars is a good start. Now use the material you are receiving here to carefully plan your business activity. A Proverb says: The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)

Thus this proverb can be expanded to read: The plans of diligent people who plod carefully lead to profit and prosperity as surely as the lack of planning by people who are lazy, careless and hasty leads to loss and poverty.

Step #3. Be prepared to work hard! Business owners spend long hours at their business and rarely get to take time off. The hard work starts even before you start the business. Planning is hard work and it must be done well for your plans to succeed. Another Proverb says: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4) Now try your version:

Step #4. Stay with it and persevere through difficulty Studies have shown that the true potential of a business is not seen until after at least three years of business activity. So stick with it through thick and thin! A verse from Galatians is particularly relevant here not only for persevering in business but also for persevering in righteousness: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9) Too many small business people give up too soon. Somebody else reaps the seeds that they have sown because they have not persevered until the time of the harvest.

Step #5. Proceed in wisdom. Wisdom is the skill for living. Learn from your mistakes and grow in your knowledge and understanding in your business activity. Serving God first in business is the equivalent of fearing God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)

Step #6. Honor God in time and money. Those who really do fear God and serve him in business will prove their heart attitude is to honor God by tithing regularly a portion of their business income and by observing a regular Sabbath in their work activity. "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; so that your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10) For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. (Exodus 31:15a) God delights to honor those who honor him. Another proverb says: Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. (Proverbs 23:4)

Be Success!
Budiyanto Tandean