I Corinthians 13 has so much in it that we can apply to being good business owners. The past two weeks we have looked at this passage of Scripture and I”d like to stay there today.
I Corinthians 13:4 “…love does not parade itself, is not puffed up”
My Bible notes that “not puffed up” means not being arrogant. Let’s look at this a little closer.
How can a Christian business owner be in danger of being puffed up or parading their business around?
First, some may tend to look “down” on others who are not where they are. Others may be afraid to ask them questions or afraid to approach them because of their condescending attitude.
Or, some business owners like to “drop” a hint or two of how successful “they” are. It might not be blatant parading, but they get their point across that they have “made it.” Now, I realize, sometimes to build credibility, we have to tell others we have been successful, but who gets the credit – us or God?
Or maybe they make others feel a little “dumb” because they don’t know how to do certain things.
Oh, how easily these types of attitudes can set in if we are not checking them against what God’s Word says.
Let’s not ever find ourselves in a place of being arrogant or parading ourselves around. Instead, let’s humbly thank God for our business and see how we can help others.
If you would like more Biblical insight into running a business that honors God, visit the page below.
Very true Laurie. I know a great deal of Christian business owners who struggle with how to build credibility but not sound puffed up. I think it can really be quite simple in that it can be handled the way you just said! Note what your business has accomplished with God’s help and blessings! I always feel funny about saying I’m an expert in anything though people like to give me that title. I have been a student of communication for over 20yrs but I feel very funny about calling myself an expert. I usually share that God has allowed me to do…this or that. It makes it easier to talk about and it’s quite true!
You are definitely the communication expert, JoJo! But you’re right, it’s all because what God has allowed you to do and the gifts He has given you.
I remember my art teacher back in sixth or seventh grade. My mom complimented his work and he complimented his Creator for giving him the talents he had. That has stuck with me for a LONG time.
Sometimes I get a high-and-mighty idea of having my own business and “making it” and having money. While having money isn’t wrong, I think there’s a lot of meaning in the verse that it’s “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”.
When we have a successful career or business that brings in a decent paycheck, it seems like it’s just human nature to want to spend it on ourselves. It becomes harder to manage and because there’s more of it, there’s more of it to spend–usually on useless, worldly gain.
It’s important to use what we have to pursue God’s will for us, to help others, and to realize that everything we have is from God in the first place. I have to realize that no matter HOW MUCH I want a business or HOW HARD I work at it–GOD is the only One that will determine my “success”.
Now the definition of success . . . that’s a whole ‘nother story!!
Great post!