January 28, 2026

Business by the Book

Genesis 24: 19-20 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Over the next few days these devotions will be taken from the story of Abraham sending a servant to obtain a wife for Isaac. The entire chapter of Genesis 24 relates this touching story. While there are obvious spiritual lessons to be learned from this portion of Scripture, we will deal exclusively with its content as it relates to business principles.

In this story we are introduced to a young woman named Rebekah. She burst on the scene with an attribute that any person would do well to emulate. Abraham’s servant asked Rebekah for a drink of water. She “hasted” to give him a drink (verse 18) and then “hasted” (verse 20) to give this man’s camels water also. She had no idea that by showing some initiative, by being industrious, and by doing more than was required or even expected for her to do she was creating an opportunity for future success. Before she was chosen as being the wife for Isaac, Rebekah had a characteristic of being a willing worker.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived other than Christ wrote, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…  (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  Rebekah did and was rewarded tremendously. Whatever comes across your path of life in the way of opportunity, give it everything you’ve got. You never know if the success of tomorrow hinges on the small tasks of today.

Dr. William Howe