Honor Your Relationship to Your Business –
It might sound strange to talk about honoring your relationship to your business, but think about it. When you started your business, or even if you took a job, there was a certain amount of commitment you made initially with an expectation of having success. Most folks don’t take on something with the intent to fail.
However, it’s easy to get distracted from your original intent. It’s easy to treat your business like you don’t care. It’s easy to think that certain things don’t matter. But remember, how you conduct your business reflects on you, and it reflects on God too.
8. Do not steal time, things, or ideas
Thou shalt not steal.
Exodus 20:15
Whether you are stealing from your own business, or from someone else, it’s not honoring to your business. When you steal time or things from someone else’s business, remember that it’s not the reputation that you want your business to have. It lessens the credibility of your company. Word does get around fast.
When you steal ideas from someone else and take credit for those ideas yourself, it can cause problems. Instead, give the other person the credit. It makes them look good, and it raises their credibility and yours too!
9. Accept responsibility, do not lie or blame others
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exodus 20:16
Some folks lie to get ahead. When the truth catches up, and it will, those people often find themselves further behind than they otherwise would have been. It’s hard to remember at times, but it never pays to lie. If you need courage, send up a prayer, swallow hard, and let the truth flow.
Some folks blame others for their mistakes. This only works for so long. Not only will the truth emerge here too, but also when you blame another the real issue is not being addressed. That just leads to more issues, and more costs in supplies and time! The mistake might be expensive, but covering it up can often be a lot more expensive. As the saying goes, the buck stops with you!
10. Do not covet
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Exodus 20:17
Don’t want what you don’t have! Now, that sounds rather simple, but let’s look at that a little closer. Wanting what you don’t have leads to many of the things we’ve already talked about. Lying, stealing, killing the reputation of another, cheating on your spouse, etc. are all things that spring from coveting.
If you want your boss’s job – which is a common goal – help him be successful so he will get promoted and recommend you for his job. It’s good to want to be successful; it’s not good to want something so badly that you are willing to step on others to get it.
LIFE APPLICATION
Your challenge is to realize that although doing the right thing should be common sense, you’d be surprised how easy it is to get off track and into trouble when temptation strikes. Seek God’s guidance before trouble abounds. Ask God to show you your weaknesses, and how to address them appropriately.
Honor your relationship with your business by seeking always to do your best. Adapt a mindset of being helpful as opposed to one of being harmful to others. Make it your practice of being honest in all things. Address each issue as it arises. Give credit where credit is due, and over deliver when you can.
Your Big Challenge
Your big challenge is to adopt The 10 Commandments of Business! Again, they are:
Honor God
1. God comes first
2. Don’t make your goals into your god.
3. Swearing is unattractive, and it will cost you
4. Take time off to worship
Honor Family, Friends, and Business Relationships
5. Honor your parents, family, and friends
6. Do not kill ideas, creativity, reputations, etc..
7. Be faithful to your spouse & keep things special
Honor Your Relationship to Your Business
8. Do not steal time, things, or ideas
9. Accept responsibility, do not lie or blame others
10. Do not covet
Ask God to show you where you fall short. When you have all areas of your life prioritized and balanced, you will be more successful!