Verses that Close the Gap

This is a collection of verses that close the gap between business and the Book.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9

– Does your business give as much as it could?

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.  Proverbs 12:16

– Can you overlook those who insult you and lead by example?

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.  Proverbs 11:25

– Do you help strengthen your team by being a refresher or giver?

Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say. Exodus 4:12

– God, understanding the importance and power of communication, told us He would teach us to speak. See the next verse.

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25

– This is God teaching us how to speak. Do you use kind words as often as can to lift up your team?

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.  He wakens me morning by morning. Isaiah 50:4

– This is an example of how God teaches us to use an “instructed tongue” to help others.  In essence, use your wisdom and gifts to help others grow.

With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.  Proverbs 8:18-21

– We must look beyond money as our motivation to work. From a leadership standpoint, we will not grow and keep great teams by tempting team members with money only. Rather, ensure your team knows what they’re contributing to matters because it does matter. Otherwise, you’d have no customers and your business would cease to exist.

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10

– Regardless of whether you’re in a leadership position or not, can you take advice well, or do you get prideful or defensive?  Personally, I’ve had to work at taking advice well, but as I’ve improved, I’ve grown.

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14

– For the leaders out there, are you surrounding yourself with advisors to rely upon, or do you rely primarily on yourself?  For the followers, are you helping your leaders by advising them well?  It could be what propels your team to success.

He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34

The Bible says be humble and you will receive grace. In my experience, humbleness and humility allow me to learn more, build stronger relationships and grow. These are common traits of successful leaders.

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. Proverbs 9:9

– Do you recognize the difference between a wise person and righteous person? Righteous people are students at heart. They trade pride for wisdom.

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 15:31

– Do you surround yourself with wise people? Successful people surround themselves with successful people. If you’re doing this but strive to succeed at work, in your marriage, with friends and family or whatever, learn from those are doing it well. Mimic their behavior. Ask them questions. Above all, listen and actually do what they say.

 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

– Pretty straight forward!

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

– This is especially relevant today as millions of us are utilizing to network, grow brands and so on.  My advice is simple.  Always keep perspective of who you’re greatest champions are.

Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.  John 13:1

– In this verse, Jesus is preparing to wash the feet of the 12 disciples.  This is one of the greatest examples of servant leadership ever.

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:13-15

– Jesus set the example for his followers of how to lead well and serve one another.