May 25, 2026

Business by the Book

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not…nor standeth…nor sitteth in the seat…

Wrong habits will lessen the possibilities for prosperity. Within the context of the five Principles for Prosperity there is a subtle yet gradual slide into wrong habits that will prove to hinder anyone desiring to earn prosperity. Notice this progression: walking, standing, sitting. This is how wrong habits weasel their way into a life. Most of these devotions deal with proactive things to do to bring about success; today’s devotion is a warning about the insidiousness of wrong habits. 

Wrong habits may be thoughts or actions. Every business person from time to time has a bad day, a wrong attitude, or even unproductive actions. However there is a huge difference between having these once in a while and having them on a routine basis.  A bad attitude may be overlooked for a day or even two, but an entire month or year of a bad attitude will ruin most businesspeople. The same with a poor work ethic, this can be overlooked as a rare occurrence, but every day for days on end! This cannot be overlooked.

Wrong habits that obstruct success enter in with a smiling face, an easy way, and a comfortable feeling. It’s easy to walk in them. After a time of familiarity it’s all too common to stand there.  Linger a while, take ease, feel relaxed. Then all too soon you are sitting there, lounging, fixed, not even supporting yourself on your own two feet; just sitting.  

Alexander Pope, the outstanding 18^th century poet wrote about this progression.

          Sin is a monster of such evil mein

          That to be hated needs but to be seen

          But if seen too oft, familiar with face

          We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

Beware of wrong habits they are treacherous to prosperity.

Dr. William Howe