Business by the Book Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. I heard a Navy man say one time that when a sailor met a sailor from another ship a common question that was usually asked was, “What is your S and S?” Similar to the common question college mates ask often “What is your major?” The S and S stand for Soul and State. Being naturally curious, the sailors would discuss how many people were on

Business by the Book Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. “Don’t buy it back!” That’s what my boss told me. I was young, in my early twenties and I had my first real “sales job.” My boss was an excellent salesman. In fact, he was so effective in sales that he ended up owning his own, very successful, company. I have benefited over the years by the things he taught me in those first few months in

Business by the Book Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. Our nation was founded by people of ingenuity and resourcefulness. They could “make do” with what they had. If “necessity is the mother of invention” it is no wonder that Americans invented so many wonderful products. They had to. There was a time before Walmart, Ace Hardware, even Sears. There was a time when farmers, ranchers, an

Business by the Book Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. There is written communication and non-verbal communication, but by far the most utilized form of communication in business is verbal communication. In Scripture the word tongue is used 126 times, speak 484 times, spoken 280 times, and speaketh 66 times; those four words total 956 usages. To compare, the word love is only used 281 times. Therefore, w

Business by the Book Proverbs 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Basically everything any person says can be placed in two categories: true or false. Even when a mixture of these two extremes is communicated the whole can be classified as true or false. For example a person may use a portion of true statements in order to support a falsehood. Of statements being true or false there are at least four variations. The statement

Business by the Book Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. A very promising career as a sales professional was lost because a man’s wrath was “presently known” and he was found to be a fool. He was speaking to a customer on the phone. This was before cell phones or car phones; this was a land line, an old fashioned house phone. Anyway, during the conversation the new sales representative became very annoyed. The customer, who hap

Business by the Book Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Our world is very complex. No one is an expert at everything. There is no way for people in business to learn, know, and keep up with everything they need. Technology is changing so fast that it is a challenge for those who make a living with it to keep up with all the technological changes. The above verse was written over two thousand years ago, and

Business by the Book Proverbs 12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. “I’m not satisfied” is equal to “I’m not happy.” Far too often the responsibility for these two conditions, being satisfied or being happy, are misplaced. The responsibility to be happy or satisfied does not rest with things, money, situation, or others, it rests with each individual. Satisfied employees are produ

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. Each person in business is seeking something. Boiled down to the nth degree there are two basic things people seek, things that are good, and things that are mischievous. The way to know the difference is first and foremost the teachings found in the Word of God. Those who seek good will find good and will ultimately procure favor. Those

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. Selling a product that people need is the foundation of commerce. It is a noble enterprise to offer a product or service for sale and for profit. No doubt, throughout the history of the human race there have been products that could have benefited mankind greatly but have been withheld from them. Withholding foodstuffs, health

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Two kids decided to pull a practical joke on one of their dads. While he was asleep on the sofa they quietly smeared Limburger cheese on his mustache. When the man awoke he said to himself, “This sofa stinks.” Upon getting up off the sofa he said, “This shirt I have on stinks” so he took the shirt off. Then, “Something in this house stinks.” So he

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Yesterday’s verse dealt with retaining riches. Today’s verse is the opposite, it deals with scattering riches. God’s Word is clear that money, or riches, are to be used. Sometimes it should be retained, sometimes it should be scattered. The lesson of lessons concerning money is when to do each. To me, the way to scatter

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:16 …. strong men retain riches. “It’s easier to make money than it is to keep it!” That is what a rich man told me when I was in my early twenty’s. Now, so many years later I know that he was right. If anyone thinks making money is hard, try to retain it. Everyone wants the money that rich people have. Con artists, friends, family, investors, those on Wall Street and Madison Avenue want to obtain the riches others have earned. God’s Word say

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. Most often when a person speaks or thinks about the word “surety” it is in the context of pledging the repayment of a debt by being a co-signer on a loan. This verse can certainly be applied to becoming a co-signer thereby assuring that another will pay their debt. But let’s broaden the scope of the word and consider an issue that is becoming more a

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. The wisdom of having multiple counsellors is legendary. The more important the decision the more need for suitable counsellors, but before seeking advice from anyone consider some time worn characteristics of effective counsellors. 1. Can they maintain confidentiality? 2. In the area of concern, are they knowledgeable, or trained? 3.

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. Primarily this verse deals with eternal salvation. By the way, “Eternity is too long to be wrong” about salvation. However, as with all Scripture there is also a practical application that can be made from this verse. Consider the “day of wrath” as a result of wrongful actions on behalf of a rich person. Riches have never, will never, and can never profit during

Business by the Book Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. In electricity there is a term called “circuit integrity.” It means that an electrical circuit will maintain its integrity during a fire. The fire resistance rating of a circuit measures the amount of heat the circuit can withstand. In case of a fire, various electrical circuits must be protected to ensure that they will maintain integr

Business by the Book Proverbs 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. So don’t! Don’t send a sluggard on an important task. Dr. William Howe

Business by the Book Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. No matter how one earns riches, it is the blessing of the Lord that made it possible. It is the Lord that gives air to breath, water to drink, and food in its due season. He created energy, muscles, the brain, the principles of logic, and every other ingredient needed to make one rich. Even if one is made rich by playing the lottery, a poor life plan for obtaining ri

Business by the Book Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Too many are like the lovelorn young man that once wrote to his dream girl. He wrote: “Darling, I would climb the highest mountain, swim the wildest stream, cross the burning desert, and even die at the stake for you. That’s how great my love is. PS: I will see you on Sunday if it doesn’t rain.” Dreaming of being rich does not make one rich. Saying