As a new businesswoman, I have been reading up on good business practices, business guidelines, polices and a plethora of documents in conducting a safe food business in Australia. As I dwelled into these documents and policies, sacrificing personal time and time with my husband, it suddenly made me realise that I have "God Business Policies" to add to my reading.
Without first of all acknowledging and understanding how God would want me to conduct my business, I am allowing my own desires and plans to overtake what God has in store for my business and me. I decided to come up with ten "God Business Policies" which I feel are not only applicable to myself in the way I conduct my business, but is also applicable to most walks of life.
God Business Policy #1: Psalm 127 verse 1,"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain". This verse says very clearly to allow God to guide you and be part of your plans, as everything we do on our own is in vain. Hence my first God Business Policy is including God in all my business plans and asking Him to guide me in all I do.
God Business Policy #2: Colossians 3 verses 23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord" .This verse simply reminds me to always do my best in everything I do, and to do it as if it is a serving to Christ rather than to men. In this way, I also glorify God in my work and I do not become arrogant or boastful or feel the need to impress people with it.
God Business Policy #3: Proverbs 16 verse 3, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed". We know that when we commit what we do to the Lord, and if it is done to glorify God, He will bless our work.
God Business Policy #4: Proverbs 21 verse 5, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty" . This verse will remind me that there is no quick way to earn a profit. In being diligent and focused, the Lord will lead me to success.
God Business Policy #5: Deuteronomy 8 verse 18, "Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfil the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath" .This verse will help me remain humble and to know that every success I get is all God and God alone. God is the one who gave me my gifts and talents and to use them for His glory.
God Business Policy #6: 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 16-19, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; this is the will of God for your life". This verse teaches me to always be thankful and grateful even when things do not go my way. It also reminds me to have a conscientious prayer life with God no matter how busy I may get.
God Business Policy #7: Isaiah 41 verse 10, "I fear not, for God is with me; I am not dismayed; for He is my God. He will strengthen me, yes, He will help me, He will uphold me with His righteous right hand". One of the hardest things for me right now is my fear and lack of self-confidence in my business, especially when I start to doubt myself, and wonder if my business is worth continuing. This reminds me to not fear, for if God is with me, who can be against me?
God Business Policy #8: 2 Corinthians 5 verse 7, "I live by faith, not by sight". This is to remind me that my dream of having my own store or café one day is something I believe in. And I want to let my faith guide me, not all the obstacles I can see right now.
God Business Policy #9: Proverbs 31 verses 13-24. These few verses describe a Godly yet business-minded woman who knows how to source for good products (v. 13); is business savvy and can make good business investments (v. 16); she is a hard worker (v. 17); she makes good profits (v. 18) and that she knows import/export with distributors and with wholesale (v.24). This is my role model.
God Business Policy #10: Proverbs 16 verse 18, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall". Many young entrepreneurs struggle with pride, especially when the business becomes really successful. I will always remember to remain humble and to always give all success to God.
Clarissa Yates is from Singapore but moved to live in Perth, Western Australia in 2008. Clarissa completed a BSc. in Molecular Biology at the University of Western Australia. She is now working as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Western Australia in the Tumour Immunology Group. In her spare time, she runs her small home-based Perth Cake Pop business, Lollicakes.
Clarissa Yates' previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/clarissa-yates.html