Solomon was a Businessman: Advice from the Wealthiest Man on Earth

By Resource Publications

Success in today's business environment may seem difficult or elusive for those who desire to conduct themselves with integrity. To be genuinely successful, you need more than just talent; you need wisdom that can help conquer any situation or problem that comes your way. But wisdom that brings us real success is not worldly wisdom; we need godly wisdom to succeed in all aspects of our lives. Unlike success, godly wisdom is not elusive; it is readily accessible through prayer and God's written Word. In the Bible, a treasure trove of godly wisdom is found in the book of Proverbs. Solomon Was a Businessman examines the wisdom of those proverbs from a business perspective and presents devotionals that enlighten and encourage. Written by business professionals and based on real-life experiences, this book can be read over and over to reveal new treasures of godly wisdom as your life experiences and spiritual needs change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Oct 6, 2008
• ISBN: 9781498274500

Book preview

Solomon Was a Businessman

Advice from the Wealthiest Man on Earth

Ardith Baker

David Wesley Whitlock

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Solomon Was a Businessman

Advice from the Wealthiest Man on Earth

Copyright © 2008 Ardith Baker and David Wesley Whitlock. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

Resource Publications

A Division of Wipf and Stock Publishers

199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3

Eugene, OR 97401

ISBN 13: 978-1-55635-989-7

EISBN 13: 978-1-4982-7450-0

Manufactured in the U.S.A.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked TLB or The Living Bible are taken from The Living Bible, Kenneth N. Taylor, Wheaton: Tyndale House, Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version ®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769.

Scripture quotations marked NSRV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version. Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Beginning of Knowledge

Make All You Can

Success and Significance

Wisdom, Knowledge, and Decision-Making

An Ancient Secret to Improve Decision-Making Skills

Wisdom

Keep to the Paths of the Just

Trust and Acknowledge the Lord

Giving Sacrificially

Discretion

Have You Given Today?

Shine

The Issues of Life

Seductive Deals

Antics

When You Get What You Want,Will You Want What You Get?

With Wisdom Comes Knowledge

Where You Live and Where You Walk

Correction, Instruction, and Teaching

Tsunami Relief

Remember Me

And Then Some

Be Wise in the Long Run

Laziness

Honest Scales

Humility

The Influence of a Leader

Hold Your Tongue

Secrets

Compensation

Generosity

Discipline and Correction

Hard Work

Heeding Instruction

Building Walls

Quick, Hide Me!

Big Talkers

You Were Never in Control

What Are You Hungry For?

How Much Is Enough?

An Apt Reply

Back to Camp

Commitment

Just Weights

Choosing the Right Path

Hunger

Body Language

Games of Chance

A Man of Few Words

A Simple Gift

Decision-Making

Integrity

Deception

Light from God

When You Get Where You’re Going,Where Will You Be?

Greedy for More or Anxious to Give?

First Maturity, Then Promotion

Core Values

Balance Your Life

Uncompromising Commitment

Instruction and Knowledge

Hope

Strategic Planning

Seeking Success

Timing

Aptly Spoken Words

Fire Prevention

Avoid Gossip

Marketing Ourselves

Warning Signs

Refining Each Other

A Heart’s Reflection

Know the State of Your Flocks

Usury

Discernment

Teamwork

Fighting Fear

Satisfaction Guaranteed

The Proverbs 31 Manager

Epilogue: Our Prayer

Contributing Authors

Bibliography

To my husband, Paul and to my family Seth, Ali, Drew, Oshean, and Louie.

–AB

To my grandparents, Rev. Harold and Zelma Whitlock and to my folks, Shirley and Norval Millsap,and Ron and Vanna Whitlock.

–DWW

Acknowledgments

Special thanks are expressed to our copyeditor, Dr. Linda Gray, for her assistance, and to the staff at Wipf and Stock, Resource Publications. Thanks to all our colleagues who contributed to this volume, and especially Marshal Wright, Walter MacMillan, Gordon Dutile, and C. Pat Taylor. Thanks to Steve Quinnelly and David Dyson for their inspiration and challenge to look deeper into the Word of God. We also express our appreciation to our spouses, Paul Baker and Dana Leigh Whitlock.

Introduction

Wisdom from the Proverbs

Solomon, the king of Israel and son of Israel’s greatest KingDavidwas asked by Jehovah what he desired most. His answer was wisdom. Though God also granted Solomon great wealth and power, the greatest gift was the answer to his prayer. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Solomon recorded many of his sayings, and these wisdom verses are included in the book of Proverbs

For attaining wisdom and discipline;

for understanding words of insight;

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young.

(Prov. 1:2–4)

A wise pastor once counseled me to read one chapter of Proverbs a day—one chapter for each day of the month, starting over each month. Reading through these passages, I am struck with how relevant and timely the proverbs are, not only for our personal lives, but for our professional business lives as well. My pastor knew that I would be blessed if I applied God’s words of wisdom to my daily living and my relationships.

Imagine, then, how our businesses might be blessed and prosperous if we simply apply these truths to our business relationships as well! Like my pastor encouraged me, I also encourage you to read one chapter of Proverbs a day so that God can speak to you through his scripture. It is my greatest desire that God bless you and your business as you read and apply these scriptural truths.

—Ardith Baker

The Beginning of Knowledge

Ardith Baker

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

(Prov. 1:7)

From birth until death, we acquire a vast amount of knowledge. In business, we depend upon knowledge to make sound business decisions, to get ahead of our competitors, to remain on the cutting edge, and ultimately to succeed. However, knowledge without divine insight and direction is just useless information. Solomon begins his book of Proverbs by setting the record straight. Recognizing the source of his knowledge and wisdom, he sums it up in this statement: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. . . . Fearing God means that you acknowledge him as your creator and heavenly Father and submit to his will in your personal and business lives. This type of respect and submission is the first step toward true knowledge. Once this is established, your priorities straighten out and everything else—your relationships, finances, business—falls into place. Establish your knowledge base by acknowledging God. Make it your priority to increase your knowledge of him through prayer and his written Word. Respect his desire to love, guide, and direct you in all that you do. Then you will be able to go out in the world with this secure knowledge base, build on it, and succeed.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us and giving us the opportunity to learn and increase our knowledge. Give us insight and discretion so that we will apply our knowledge according to your wisdom and thus glorify your name. Amen.

Make All You