"STUDIES IN THE PROVERBS"  
  
                     Wisdom In Matters Of Business  
  
INTRODUCTION  
  
1. Responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a Christian  
   are many, one of which is the necessity of providing a proper  
   example to the world...  
   a. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth  
      - Mt 5:13-16   
   b. This requires outstanding and honorable conduct on our part   
      - 1 Pe 2:12   
  
2. This is especially true as we go about the business of making a   
   living for ourselves - cf. 2 Th 3:11-12   
  
3. But how can we be sure that we behave properly toward outsiders in   
   our business affairs?  
  
4. Again, the Book of Proverbs has much to say and wisdom to offer in   
   all areas of life, including matters of business!  
  
[As one who was employed in secular work for a number of years before   
devoting my full energies to the preaching of the gospel, I found the   
Proverbs to be especially helpful in this area.  
  
For example, from the Proverbs I learned...]  
  
I. HOW TO KEEP BUSINESS IN ITS PROPER PLACE  
  
   A. FIRST, REMEMBER WHAT SHOULD TAKE PRIORITY...  
      1. It is a fact of life that we must work to live and provide for  
         our families  
         a. If we aren't willing to work, the church is under no   
            obligation to help us - 2 Th 3:6   
         b. If we don't provide for our families, we are worse than   
            unbelievers - 1 Ti 5:8   
      2. But misplaced priorities can be very harmful to our   
         well-being!  
         a. Righteousness, not riches, is what is truly profitable   
            - Pr 11:4   
         b. One should therefore seek to be righteous, not rich   
            - Pr 11:28   
      3. It is better to have a little with righteousness, than to be   
         rich and wicked - Pr 16:8   
  
   B. SECOND, INVOLVE GOD IN OUR BUSINESS AFFAIRS...  
      1. Because then our efforts are more likely to succeed - Pr 16:3   
         (cf. the example of how the Lord blessed Joseph - Gen 39:2-5 )  
      2. Because then we are more likely to be able to enjoy what we  
         receive - Pr 10:22 ; cf. Ecc 5:18-6:2   
  
   C. THIRD, REMEMBER THAT BUSINESS HAS A MAJOR SHORTCOMING...  
      1. We never know what might happen tomorrow - Pr 27:1 ; cf. Ja 4:  
         13-16  
      2. Wealth is a fleeting commodity that is not worth killing   
         yourself in order to obtain - Pr 23:4-5   
  
[Many people come to learn these truths only after a lifetime, when   
they realize they wasted their years on things not truly important, but  
the beauty of the Proverbs is that even the young can know them early   
and apply them to their lives!  
  
From the Proverbs I also learned...]  
  
II. HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL LABORER  
  
   A.  FIRST, WHAT "NOT" TO DO...  
      1. Be lazy, for it will greatly irritate your boss! - Pr 10:26   
      2. Be slothful in your work, for it will ruin your company as   
         quick as a competing company (and how long will your job last   
         if your company can't compete?) - cf. Pr 18:9   
  
   B. HERE IS WHAT YOU "SHOULD" DO...  
      1. Develop skill in your work (it will not go unnoticed) - Pr 22:  
         29  
      2. Be diligent in your work to ensure your promotion - Pr 12:24   
      3. Impress people with the quality of your work, not the quantity  
         of your words - Pr 14:23   
  
[In today's competitive job market, the best "skills" one can have are  
such things as "diligence" and "honesty".  Heeding the wisdom from the  
Proverbs can help one become a valuable commodity!  
  
The Proverbs also provide wisdom on...]  
  
III. HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MANAGER OR EMPLOYER  
  
   A. TO BE A WISE MANAGER...  
      1. Be diligent in your planning, and not too hasty in getting   
         things done - Pr 21:5   
      2. Nurture and utilize counsel from others - Pr 15:22   
      3. Stay on top of your job! - cf. Pr 27:23-27   
  
   B. TO BE A GOOD LEADER...  
      1. Don't be oppressive - Pr 28:16   
      2. Be concerned for the rights of your employees - Pr 29:7   
      3. Provide good treatment, and you will gain loyalty and love   
         - Pr 29:21   
      4. Help the employee see how his work benefits himself as well as  
         the company, so he will be diligent in his efforts - Pr 16:26   
  
CONCLUSION  
  
1. My own experience as both a laborer and a manager gave me   
   opportunity to test the wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs  
   a. I found that if one...  
      1) Keeps the need to work in proper perspective  
      2) Applies the principles found in Proverbs and other Scriptures  
   b. That God not only provides you with the necessities of life, but   
      more often than not a good degree of material abundance!  
  
2. The important thing to keep in mind is that throughout our business  
   dealings, we must always heed the words of Jesus:  "Seek first the  
   Kingdom of God and His righteousness!"  
  
In our next and final lesson, we shall consider wisdom from the   
Proverbs as it pertains to our relationship with God...