6 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Practices in Business

The common perception among people in business is that if you operate with total integrity, the playing field is no longer level. Because the odds are stacked against you, you can’t successfully compete with those who bend the rules. So, the natural reaction is to live in two worlds: The “religious” world one day a week, and the “real” world six days a week. By so doing, we demonstrate our stubborn refusal to trust God in operating business. And we negate His ability to miraculously intervene on our behalf. For example, if we would allow Him, God would: - Impress customers to respond to our initiatives when it is appropriate. - Plant creative ideas for business in our minds. - Move in the hearts of good men to assist us in our endeavors. - Shield us from those who are bent on doing us harm, etc. Perhaps these six questions will help us determine in which world we are operating:

#1 Do I trust God to move in the hearts of people on behalf of my business? Or do I find myself manipulating circumstances and people to accomplish my ends? “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a water course wherever he pleases.” (Prov 21:1) (See Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Isa 14:24; Dan 4:35)

#2 Am I profoundly influenced in my decisions by the fact that God knows my motives? Or do I rationalize the gray areas, assuming compromise doesn’t really matter all that much? “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2)

#3 Do I understand that God values my obedience over religious “sacrifice”? Or do I mask questionable business practices with a “Christian” façade? “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Prov. 21:3) (See 1 Sam 15:22)

#4 Am I continually checking my heart against insidious pride? Or do I insure the fact that one way or another, I will get the credit? “ Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!” (Prov 21:4) (See Prov 8:13; Isa 2:11, 17; Luke 18:14)

#5 Do I realize that there is no substitute for old fashioned hard work? Or do I let things slide here and there when no one is checking up on me? “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Prov. 21:5) (See Prov. 10:4; 27:23-27)

#6 Do I truly believe that integrity lies at the very foundation of a healthy business? Or do I cut corners and shade the truth when it is to my advantage? “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare” (Prov. 21:6) See Prov 13:11; 30:8; Jer 17:11)

as shared by Mr. Sta. Maria (Facts of the Matter). Thanks to you, for taking the time to come to the office each week and feed us with God's Word and its application to daily life