Biblical Success in Business: Lord Bless The Work Of My Hands

Priscilla Shumba
31 minutes ago
8 min read

What is Biblical success?

It’s the Lord blessing the work of our hands.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes establish the work of our hands.” ~ Psalm 90 : 17

The world talks about the “Midas touch”, where everything someone touches turns to gold 🤑. They attribute the success to the person, but we, as believers, know that the credit belongs to God.

When we know this TRUTH, we move differently, we work differently, we yearn for success differently.

We know to go to The Source of all things for our business.

If you have the CEO’s number (the ultimate decision-maker), why are you going to everyone else for assistance?

Go to God first.

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine.’ declares the Lord Almighty ~ Haggai 2 : 6

How do we position ourselves for favor?

God blesses and grants favour to the good (Proverbs 12:2). This is huge!

There’s a real temptation to engage in actions that lack integrity in the business world.

If we desire God’s favour (not the world’s, which comes at a high price), we cannot participate in being crafty to get our way.

Let’s keep this real for the church folk.

I remember when I was starting out, I struggled a lot with sales techniques that encouraged me to mislead prospects into buying. I know I’m not alone on this one.

📌What was the 1st instance that made you realise ‘Oh, this business thing can take you into some grey areas’?

For me, it was in sales. This is 1 of the main reasons Christian Founders struggle to sell, and as a result, fail to launch their businesses: Sales is often equated to being misleading and overpromising, knowing fully well that the product or service does not deliver on the marketing promise.

Although this is common in the marketplace, this is not the way to build a profitable and lasting business. Even if we put faith aside, the amount of work, energy and dedication it takes to build a business, it only makes sense to do the right thing for long-term success.

If you’re a founder struggling with sales techniques, reframing sales as serving is transformative.

Your prospect has a problem that you can solve; therefore, it’s your moral obligation to let them know that you can help them and how. Period.

That’s selling. (*Read This Turned My Fear Of Selling Into My Greatest Business Advantage)

We are not called to deceive or hinder others' purposes to get ahead. To rob other people of their time and money for self-gain.

We serve a God who is higher than all earthly plans.

Our code: When we work, the best of our ability is our divinely set standard.

We have an instruction to operate in the knowledge that we are serving Christ.

If only ‘The Best’ can be brought before human royalty. How much more do we perfect our work for the King of Kings, who knows what our best is? #Excellence

Consider the bible story about Cain and Abel. They both brought an offering of their work before the Lord, but only Abel was commended for what he brought.

Genesis 4 : 4 says the Lord looked with “favor on Abel and his offering.” Why? It’s simple: Abel brought his very best. It may have looked ordinary in comparison to what Cain brought, but God knows the intention, heart posture, and ability of His people.

This is a word for Founders🔥. I hope you caught it.

There’s no need to get caught up in comparison as a believer. You may not be at the level of the top person in your niche or industry, but is this the best you've got?

When we are obedient to the Word of God, our reward is not only earthly but heavenly.

We are pleasing our Lord.

That’s the greatest motivator.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ we are serving.” ~ Colossians 3 : 23 - 24

It’s not human nature to be excellent; that’s why we celebrate it when we see it.

Here’s the challenge: We have to reject mediocrity and consciously push ourselves to do things better.

Train yourself by being conscious of your output.

Everything you put your hand to is your output - the way you do your job, the way you involve yourself in relationships, the way you care for your children, the way you keep your home.

It’s taking discipline to that higher level.

I’ve been guilty of mediocrity many times. I used to operate on auto, just getting things done, and it seemed okay until I had to face the fact that I was reaping what I was sowing.

Whatever the state of mine or your life, it’s a reflection of the seed time and harvest time principle.

If I take this to be true, now I have to ask myself: Could this have been done better? And most of the time, the answer will be a resounding YES. It’s going to take more time and effort. Simple, but not easy.

No one will ever push you to be the best of you.

It’s a personal decision we should all make and commit to living out.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” ~ Galatians 6 : 7

We can transform our lives through the way we work.

Our greatest example is Jesus Christ, the son of God, and yet He came to serve (Matthew 20 : 28). Jesus was on a mission, to reconcile us to our loving Father, service was one of the pillars to fulfilling His work.

Be determined to bring more to the table in everything that you do.

📌Practical tips:

How can I serve my customer better? What do they value? Convenience, greater value, simplicity and ease..
How can I serve my audience? What’s the intention behind my content? Value that helps them win in [x]

Serve in small ways, serve in big ways, just always be serving more than what is required. People are always watching;

Demonstrate your capability, not your job description.

What made King Solomon the wealthiest man to ever live?

Wisdom was the differentiator.

He didn’t get consumed with wanting money or wealth. The Bible is the ultimate contrarian take. If you have a pulse, you’ve heard ‘to get rich, you have to want to be rich, obsess about it.’

Not if your faith is in Christ.

He already knows what we need. He put those dreams in our hearts when He formed us.

Solomon didn’t need to ask for great wealth; he knew that what he needed more than anything was the wisdom to do the work that God had given him in a manner that would be pleasing to God.

📌Wealth would be an outcome of doing the work wisely.

Proverbs 3 : 16 describes wisdom as possessing long life in her right hand and riches and honor in her left hand.

What’s your long game?

📌Be wise, be shrewd, be strategic.

Habit no. 2 in Stephen Covey’s bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is “begin with the end in mind.”

Have a vision, a divine vision, don’t put God outside the door of your work place of home office.

Invite God into every area of your life.

Add Kingdom purpose to everything.

This doesn’t need to be complicated; merely ask yourself how what you are trying to do will bring glory to God.

Aligning your values with the word of God.

My values are integrity, generosity, and service.

The daily application: Operating with integrity to bring honor to God.

“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.” ~ James 1 : 5

Ever heard the statement, be careful what you wish for because you might just get it?

When God blesses our work, our territory is enlarged.

In practical ways, prepare to receive your blessing. What will serving more clients require? How can you build capacity to serve more?

The Bible assures us that when we ask, we will receive when our request is in keeping with who God is (Matthew 7:7-8). In other words, we are not asking to harm other people or steal or show ourselves as better than others, because God is contrary to those things.

God is love.

The Prayer of Jabez

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my ]territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” ~ 1 Chronicles 4 : 9 - 10

How do we prepare for our blessing?

We get around people who are doing the same thing we are trying to do, it energizes us, and provides an invaluable network of support and ideas.

We get the priceless benefits of being united with others going the same way as us.

Iron sharpens iron.

Don’t isolate, the journey is too long to go alone.

You will be better at managing your expansion when you study your tribe. The association of others will teach you how to play at the next level.

Maybe you feel like you’re doing everything and are not getting anywhere.

Keep at it.

Refuse to quit.

The farther you are from the starting line, the closer you are to the finishing line.

Stay on course.

Don’t be discouraged, regain your strength and courage by washing yourself with God’s word continuously.

Consider the words of the Lord to Joshua when he was getting ready to lead the Israelites into their promise - A land flowing with milk and honey.

God had already given them this land as an inheritance. It was theirs. They just had to take it, but it wasn’t going to be easy. Even though the result had been pre-destined, they still had to show up ready to fight.

That’s the power of our God!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1 : 9

The journey may seem long, the days get long, but wait upon the Lord.

God is so good; even in waiting, there is a promise for renewed strength.

Lay hold of all the promises of God.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40 : 31

Do your part; the blessing belongs to the Lord.

I know I’ve gone all Baptist preacher on you today. (Can you tell I grew up in a Baptist church lol? ) Thanks for hanging in there.

May your week be blessed.

Let’s get to work.