Enhancing Business Health
Organizational health is a common goal for the many business owners we have worked with over the years. The concept of a healthy business has a biblical basis: In Genesis 1:28, God created work. Business is an organized form of work, and as its creator, God and his word are our source for how best to work. We believe that biblical wisdom can be applied to business health in the areas of legacy, stewardship, wisdom, and leadership.
Legacy: Leaving a lasting impact (Matthew 5:16)
Scripture supports the idea of legacy, recognizing both ownership (Psalm 24:1) and the concepts of mission, core values, and vision (Mark 12:28-34). The Bible establishes precedence for businesses to be structured as covenantal organizations in Matthew 20:25-28. Together, these elements contribute to generational stability and a vibrant work environment, key features in the creation of a lasting legacy.
Stewardship: Using God-given resources for God-given purposes
Scripture also addresses the idea of stewardship. Luke 19:11-26 speaks to the creation of a strong financial position, which we have seen lead to financial flexibility. Nehemiah 13 establishes the wisdom of having a business transition plan in place, which sets the stage for aligned expectations. And Matthew 5:40-42 discusses the management of resources, the practice of which promotes dependability and consistency. Building, planning, and managing are all integral components of stewardship.
Wisdom: Applying knowledge to reduce the risk of uncertainty and increase the chance of success (Exodus 18:1-27)
Another biblical concept applicable to business owners is wisdom. According to Proverbs 11:14, wisdom leads to strength of insight. Genesis 41 and Exodus 17:8-13 address the benefit of strategic focus, and the provision of accountability is introduced in Galatians 2:11-13. When organizations incorporate the principle of wisdom into their strategic governance, it can lead to sound decision making and effective continuity.
Leadership: Helping others grow and perform (Deuteronomy 31:1-8)
There are many references to leadership in scripture. Joshua 1:1-9 indicates that a leader is meant to execute strategy, leading to strong tactical decisions. Nehemiah 2:5-18 says that leaders are responsible for operational decisions, which promotes operational continuity. Numbers 27:18-23 describes how leaders develop people, a practice which we have seen result in engaged employees. Modeling leadership on biblical principles can have a decisive impact on business health.
Ultimately, we believe that there are two principles every Christian business owner should consider: that everything is sacred (Colossians 3:17,23-24) and that we are accountable (Matthew 25:14-30). We teach that these principles can guide organizational leaders to success as they work to build healthy businesses.
Application
Here are some questions to consider as you reflect on how this information applies to your business:
- How healthy is your company?
- What objective measurements do you use to substantiate this belief?
- How successful have you been at integrating your faith into the business you steward?
- On what do you base this assessment?
- How are you prioritizing your efforts to strengthen your business and further integrate your faith?
- How did you develop this roadmap?
A healthy business creates a strong foundation for multiplying a business’s Kingdom impact (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). If you would like personalized guidance on building your business’s health, we invite you to take our Business Health Assessment.
Blue Trust’s Business Consulting division leverages biblical wisdom and practical expertise to advise business owners as they seek to faithfully steward the companies with which they have been entrusted. To learn more, visit our website.
13987594-11-21