Christian Principles Of Integrity & Business - Part 3

By Author: Stitch Rojas
Total Articles: 165
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For over two decades, as I have been in the business world (as a business owner as well as working in large non profit organizations, as well as international corporations), as well as serving in the non-profit sector, I have learned many lessons and observed many approaches and philosophies of the ways people conduct themselves in the marketplace and when in pursuit of business.

The lessons emerged through my relationships with other business leaders, government officials, customers while performing work for them, suppliers; and additional lessons have been learned as I served in churches, Christian schools and universities, and para-church ministries.

The following principles guide the development of my business actions and relationships. I've carefully searched the scriptures and confirmed the biblical accuracy of the principles. Wiser persons have already discovered similar principles and the list is surely longer than the one enclosed, but this list is born by the path I've traveled.

I have shared these ideas with my children, family members, friends, partners and potential partners, with the hope that ...
... they may benefit from my experiences. And now, through a series of several articles and postings, I am sharing them with you, the blogging and internet world.

I hope that you will find the content helpful, encouraging, substantial, and that it will encourage you in your own efforts to integrate and live out your Christian faith in the marketplace.

The postings cover the following 7 Key Areas:

* Part 1: The PURPOSE of a Christian owned or ran company/organization
* Part 2: Guideline for Determining Personal & Professional Pursuits
* Part 3: Thoughts on PLANNING
* Part 4: Strategies for FINANCIAL MATTERS & DECISIONS
* Part 5: Advice on PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
* Part 6: How to establish and determine AGREEMENTS in business
* Part 7: PEOPLE TO AVOID in business

Planning

1. Planning is a biblical mandate (Proverbs 6:6-9, 16:9; Luke 14:28-29; and Nehemiah chapters 1-6 document a detailed planning process).

a. A godly person plans (Isaiah 32:8).

b. Godly plans unfold step-by-step (Isaiah 28:10).

3. Time management is a matter of stewardship. Therefore, I will manage my time as a gift from God (Psalm 90:12; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Ephesians 5:15-17).

d. Organizations that follow God's precepts are characterized by the absence of prolonged confusion (I Corinthians 14:33) and such is also true for individuals (James 1:5-8, 3:16). Though challenges and set-backs are an unavoidable part of life, and regrouping is necessary, chaos should not be a permanent condition.

e. A plan must give God sufficient freedom to be sovereign in His timing and methods (James 4:13-15).

f. I have found it's wise to take a long time to plan well—then, make changes from the plan slowly. Such compensates for capricious thinking and fortuitous events, around which solid strategy cannot be constructed.

g. Don't read too much into single events as a "sign from God". When God wants you to take a significant step He will confirm and corroborate it in the Bible, by a persisting impression by the Holy Spirit, through a pattern of circumstances, and through the independent testimony of at least two godly counselors.

h. Although seizing opportunities is an important business principle, God provides sufficient time to pray and evaluate the wisdom of which opportunities to pursue. God doesn't pressure His children to make important decisions, Satan does.

9. I am not inclined to proceed into unplanned ventures and undefined relationships. I won't pursue opportunities where there is a high risk of wasted time, money, and energy; and those that have a high probability of failure. Such is poor stewardship of that which the Lord has entrusted to me.

6. I will engage in due diligence about a potential "partnership", "strategic alliance", or "collaboration" before proceeding with the relationship. It seems the benefit of good intentions gets lost in the unplanned and impetuous pursuit of success. As the saying goes, "The devil is in the details" - and I add, "The devil works his deeds when one doesn't think through the details and fails to plan effectively."

Since 1998, Truth@Work has been developing CEO Forums, Forum, Christian Business Owners, Christian Roundtable Groups, CEO Roundtable, Christian Business Leadership, Christian Business leaders, Christian CEO Roundtables for Christian business owners and leaders.