Biblical Business Principle

BIBLICAL BUSINESS PRINCIPLE:

MAKE WISE INVESTMENTS ROBUSTLY AND APPROPRIATELY

“FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.”

The right business investments can provide significant value to the business. Because of their value, it is wise for the steward leader to evaluate each investment with great attention. Where companies choose to spend their resources today can greatly impact their tomorrows. Successful businesses understand the value of profits, people, and products. Lee Iacocca, who orchestrated Chrysler’s revival in the 1980s, once said: “In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product, and profit. People come first.” 1

Jesus gives insight into the idea of passion when He teaches in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This statement gives the steward CEO insights into the place where they can invest if they desire to build a business that honors God. The leader with a heart for God will invest in Jesus Christ as the real treasure, believing in Him and having His purpose as their passion.

Investment is another term for treasure. Leaders are called to lead with passion and with all of their heart. Leaders are called to invest wisely and robustly. Business stewards make many investments pertaining to their time and resources. A leader must make use of the resources of the company to make the right investments in the business, people, and infrastructure. When companies make wise investments, the business will grow. Good investments set the direction and the path of a business to ensure its growth and development. When a business is neglected, it is doomed to shrink and die.

Business author Patrick Lencioni writes about wise investments in his book, The Advantage. He states that “every organization must contribute in some way to a better world for some group of people, because if it doesn’t, it will, and should, go out of business.” 4 Lencioni understands that businesses that succeed are those that invest in something bigger than themselves. Too many companies make too small of an investment, expecting big returns without big commitments. To become a company that makes a difference, the leader must focus on the investments it makes.

Experience Question:

The heart of a business is normally spoken of in terms of its mission and core values. In what ways does the heart of your company agree with your own? Do you personally share the same mission and values as your company does?