The Business God Blesses- 5 Rules you can’t Afford to Break.

Sonia couldn’t figure out what she was doing wrong, it was as if someone had cast a spell on her business. Ten customers might be in the store at a particular time, but none of them would purchase anything. It is usually one excuse or another- from the flimsy to the absolutely hilarious- one customer didn’t buy a microwave because she could see her refection on the steel, claiming it’s a sign of inferiority.

Sonia attempted all the customer service ploys she could think of, yet nothing worked….

It’s tempting to presume that business is purely physical. We concentrate efforts on devising strategies, plans, campaigns, etc. to move our business forward. Sometimes, it takes heart-shaking experiences to jolt us to face the spiritual reality of running a business.

Like it’s been said- spiritual realities supersede the physical. Therefore, it’s required to stay conscious of fortifying our businesses spiritually, while staying aligned with principles that would ensure open heavens over our businesses.

This is not to suggest that our businesses would be challenges-free, because challenges are sometimes needed to stretch our creativity and expand our business capabilities; rather, it is to ensure the reassurance that God is for our businesses.

Below are some scriptural principles that every business owner shouldn’t take with levity:

Tithing:

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it (Malachi 3:10).”

Tithing can never be overemphasised. It induces an outpouring of blessings. These blessings are wide and varied. Most times, what we need is an idea that would launch our business to the next phase. When the heavens are open over us, there is a quickening of our intellect and creativity; we create solutions beyond human reasoning. We receive unusual ideas for lifting. We enjoy favour and supernatural help that can’t be bought with money. We can’t afford to have the heavens closed over us, let’s be careful to fulfill this divine mandate.

Integrity:

“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favour with him” (Proverbs 11:1).

No matter how attractive dishonesty is, its cost far outweighs the expected benefits. Nothing is worth losing God’s favour over. Give people value for their money. Don’t overcharge or defraud anyone. Let the Holy Spirit be your trusted pricing companion. Don’t ignore his promptings.

Fairness:

“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty (James 5:4).”

Don’t unduly deny your workers of their wages. Be fair always. God defends the course of the helpless. You wouldn’t want to deal with the wrath of the Almighty.

Faithfulness:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)

How faithful have you been with the resources God has committed in your hands? How have you treated the customers you have now- no matter how few you think they are? How well do you care for the people, space, equipments, etc. committed into your hands now?

Faithfulness qualifies us for more. It’s time to break free from mediocrity. Let’s stop disqualifying ourselves for the next phase. Do the utmost best for the clients you have now and God will open greater doors for you.

Perseverance:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-3).

Don’t give up. Don’t take short-cuts. Don’t settle for less. As long as it is a God-given vision, persevere through trying times. There are lessons to learn, insights to gain and grace to receive; but these blessings are often imbedded in challenges. When we give up too soon, we miss out on the blessings inherent in the ‘storm’. Indeed, let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Most importantly, we need the wisdom of God to truly succeed. It takes divine wisdom to triumph. And scripture rightly says- “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:5-8).

Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive. Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit as he leads you on the right path for your business. We pray that your business will not fail; God will guide and position you for influence, as you stay within the covering of grace.

You can ask God right now to open your eyes to see the things you’re doing wrong and to reveal the steps to increase. Be sincere and open; for God honours sincerity and delights in your prosperity.