How to succeed in business (3)

Abraham and Lot started out together in business. Then a problem arose: ‘…Their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen…’ (vv.6-7 NKJV). So Abraham said, ‘Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right…’ (v.9 NKJV). There’s an important lesson here: Just because somebody belonged in your early life, doesn’t mean they’re supposed to make the whole journey with you. When memories of the early days of working with somebody are wonderful, it’s difficult to face the truth that those days are gone and will never return. Does that mean you are right and they are wrong? No, it just means you each have different destinies.

How to succeed in business (2)

After being reconciled with his long-estranged brother Esau, Jacob agreed to accompany him back home for a celebration. Esau, who was a fast-tracker, said, ‘…Let us go…’ (12 NKJV). But Jacob said, ‘…You go on ahead!...’ He explained to his brother, ‘…The children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me…if the men should drive them hard…the flock will die…I will lead on slowly at a pace…the livestock…and the children, are able to endure…’ (13-14 NKJV).

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (1)

Sheep and cattle have to be handled differently. Sheep require tending. They need clear boundaries for their own protection, not to mention the shepherd’s potential loss if they are devoured by a wolf or fall off a cliff. Cattle do just fine when they’re given good grazing land and left alone. What’s the point? To fulfil your dream, you must ‘know’ the people you work with. Whether they’re partners or patrons, bosses or colleagues, clients or constituents, customers or critics, people need to be identified and managed according to their talents and their temperament. So what kind of people belong on your team? John Maxwell writes: ‘Some people have a dream but no team—their dream is impossible. 

Some people have a dream but a bad team—their dream is a nightmare. Some people have a dream and are building a team—their dream has potential. Some people have a dream and a great team—their dream is inevitable.’ Moses needed Joshua; Naomi needed Ruth. The idea of the self-made person is a myth. Whether they acknowledge it or not, all successful people had help along the way. Only when you can admit that you need help will you begin looking for it. And that’s a crucial step in achieving success. The next steps are knowing people’s strengths, communicating your vision to them in such a way that they buy into it, bringing out the best in them and rewarding them. Chris Hodges says, ‘A dream is a compelling vision you see in your heart, that’s too big to accomplish without the help of others.’

God looks at your heart

Henry Blackaby tells the story of a very self-righteous man who prayed: ‘Lord, there’s something wrong. I read the Bible, pray regularly, attend church faithfully and always give to charity, yet I don’t have much. My brother doesn’t do any of these things, yet he’s got tons of money. How come you’ve given him so much and me so little?’ After a pause, a voice said, ‘Because you’re a sanctimonious pain in the neck!’ The Bible says, ‘…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ (James 4:6 NKJV). God looks at your heart’s intent; He judges your motives. You can sit in church with a heart that’s far from God. The Israelites did (Isaiah 1:10-17). You can help the needy and still be greedy. Judas did (John 12:4-8 NIV). You can proclaim your love for Jesus yet be influenced by the devil. Peter did (Matthew 26:31-35 NIV). You can make sacrifices yet still be living in disobedience. King Saul did (1 Samuel 13:7-14 NIV). You can pray with the wrong motives. 

Some folks in the New Testament church did (James 4:3 NIV). You can even be a pastor who loves crowds but has no time for individuals. Check your heart! The Good Shepherd left His ninety-nine sheep to look for the one who was lost. Then He carried it home on His shoulders, rejoicing. ‘Motives are weighed by the Lord.’ God sees your heart. Everything you do must be motivated by love for Him and for others. So look beyond your actions to what lies behind them. Ask God to show you what He sees.