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

Business by the Book Proverbs 9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. Personal responsibility! Consider two sons. Both are born to the same parents, both have the same advantages in life, both have the same educational opportunities, both have the same upbringing. Both have the same athletic experiences, both are given the same parental philosophy, both have the same environment, finances, and prospects. One grows

Business by the Book Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: Several times in these devotions we have considered wisdom. Chapter eight of Proverbs is dedicated to the benefits of wisdom. Someone may ask “what is wisdom,” or “how do you get wisdom,” or “where can you learn wisdom.” According to Proverbs 4:7 wisdom is the principal thing (the word principal means “beginning, first, chief”). Therefore, some thought about the meaning of the word wisdom mu

Business by the Book Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. One of the attributes that every successful person needs to develop is the ability to read people. The old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is true indeed, but the book can be judged if it is read. While judging others is a dangerous flaw and a slippery slope, in business others must be judged concerning their ability, skill, character and other work

Business by the Book Proverbs 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. A story surfaced years ago about a man in Europe who purchased an old estate at auction. The house and outbuildings were in poor repair because no one had lived there in many years. Upon the death of the owners, their children had no desire whatsoever to own such a dilapidated homestead. After years of neglect the upkeep of the estate would cost more

Business by the Book Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. So wisdom speaks. The entirety of Proverbs chapter 8 is devoted to wisdom. This wisdom is interpreted to be different things to different people. For the purpose of Business by the Book let’s describe wisdom as knowing what is right to do in a given circumstance. Those that love her are loved of her. Those who seek wisdom early will find her. Consider three ways to seek w

Business by the Book Proverbs 6:10–11 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Since the dawn of time work has been the cost of existence. In the Garden of Eden the Lord God told Adam to dress and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). After the fall, the Lord told Adam: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground;… (Genesis 3:19).

Business by the Book Proverbs 6:6-8 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. There is a story about a rancher going through the process to employ a hired hand. Upon interviewing a candidate, the rancher asked if the man was willing to work. The man simply replied, “I have no problem sleeping at night.” The rancher was not impressed, but thi

Business by the Book Proverbs 4:25-27 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. I was talking with an old farmer more than forty years ago and he was probably in his eighties then. He was telling me how farming used to be. “Back in the day we plowed behind a mule.” From his description farming in the

Business by the Book Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. The problem with learning by experience is that it teaches us things we really do not want to know. That’s why we have to learn those things through experience. If we learned them from instruction, perhaps we would not have to learn them through experience. Someone once said, “Some learn through other people’s mistakes, this is instruction; some learn through thei

Business by the Book Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. It is one thing to get understanding, but sometimes you must make someone else understand. Some things are too important to leave to misunderstanding. There are situations in which a person must make someone else understand something they are not readily accepting. One such situation happened to me. Years ago as a businessman I was responsible fo

Business by the Book Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. I just don’t understand! These are powerful words that are used too little. Many of the mistakes of life are caused by a lack of understanding. Yet, seldom do we seek the understanding needed to side step those mistakes. If asked most would not include getting understanding as one of their top priorities of life. Getting money, yes, getting prest

Business by the Book Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Consider today’s verse within the context of sowing and reaping. Within the pages of Scripture examples of the law of sowing and reaping are numerous. Each book of the Bible in some degree illustrates this law. Galatians 6:7 contains the most concise and clear cut overview of this law. It states: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a

Business by the Book Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. No book about business principles found in the Bible can be complete if it does not explore the inexorable tie between prosperity and honoring the Lord with not only offerings, but with all of one’s substance. Briefly consider each. Honor the LORD with thy substance me

Business by the Book Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. The book of Proverbs speaks often of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. These three are to business like onions, celery, and bell pepper are to Cajun cooking. They are in everything. The very purpose of the book of Proverbs is to give the reader wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Leaders not only obtain these, they retain them. In fact, just four verses la