Management Based on Biblical Principles - The Bible As Reliable Source For Business Best Practices
For many centuries devout believers of the Christian faith have turned to the Bible as a source for their personal faith and practice.
They use it to learn how to live their private lives according to God's revealed will.
In as much as so many look to the Judeo-Christian Scriptures as a guide for their private lives, the question is raised: do they also reference The Holy Book in their public and business lives? Furthermore, even if the devout followers of Jesus Christ do use it to direct their business affairs: is the Bible a reliable source for learning business best practices.
This article explores a number of reasons why the Bible is a reliable source for training in contemporary business management.
First, in general, the Judeo-Christian Bible claims to be a reliable source for prosperous living which would include all matters of life including business.
Sometime between the 1400 and 1200 B.
C.
E.
a man named Moses led the Israeli people from captivity in Egypt to the border of the modern day region of Palestine or Israel.
At that time, Moses passed away and Joshua his long-time apprentice led the people into the Promised Land.
After the death of his mentor Moses, Joshua was a bit overwhelmed by the upcoming task.
In order to comfort Joshua, the Lord from Heaven gave him a vision and exhorted him not to be afraid.
In that moment God commanded Joshua not to depart from the instruction of the Holy Scriptures but to meditate on them day and night.
God gave the newly selected leader the promise that if he would follow the Lord's instructions left by Moses, he would be prosperous and successful in everything he did.
In the same way, Jesus Christ exhorted his followers.
Jesus told his disciples that following his instructions was like building a house of a firm foundation.
When the storms of life rage, the man who lives his life according to Jesus' teachings would stand firm.
Conversely, Jesus said that not doing things according to his word was like building a house on top of sand.
When the storms of life rage, their lives would be washed away by the thunderous tides.
Second, the Bible claims to be profitable for teaching sound principles to those who study it which includes principles for practicing business.
Paul was one of Jesus' most famous followers.
He never met Jesus personally, but Jesus appeared to him through a vision sometime after His death and resurrection.
For many years, Paul served as a powerful example to other believers and he left behind some letters he wrote to his companions and those he mentored along the way.
One letter he sent was to a former apprentice named Timothy.
In that letter Paul wrote the following: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
" (The Holy Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
The phrase "equipped for every good work" must include business management practices.
Of course, to quote the Bible as a defense of its own reliability is circular reasoning and begs the question: are there any examples in its pages that serve as an example for management practices? The answer is: "Yes, plenty.
" Third, the Bible has much sound instruction that can be applied to all parts of life.
Beyond saying so, the Bible has many foundation principles that when practiced will lead to an effective life.
These foundation tenets can be found throughout the entire volume, especially in the first five books of the Bible; the Psalms and Proverbs; the prophetic literature; the accounts of Jesus' life on earth; and the letters written and circulated by his disciples.
As direct instruction, the Book of Proverbs serves as the best comprehensive source for how to conduct life in a successful manner.
Most of the wise sayings are attributed to Solomon, the third king of ancient Israel.
There are golden nuggets tucked within the text concerning many topics related to everyday problems and reactions.
Most of the nuggets are not specifically addressed to business situations but can be easily adapted to the business environment.
Fourth, the Bible has many examples of good, mediocre and poor management practices.
Furthermore, The Bible is more than just a witness of its own reliability and a book of nice sayings; it is also filled with real live case studies on management practices.
These case studies are found throughout the entire text and serve as powerful instruction of how to and how not to lead.
Some of the better examples of best practices in management include: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, King David, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jesus, Paul and God Himself.
Some of the worst examples are: Nimrod, Joab, King Saul, King Ahab, King Herod Antipas, and Caiaphas the High Priest.
The fact that the Biblical text includes both good and bad examples of management practices lends to its credibility as a guide in business affairs.
Real life is sticky.
Working with people is hardly black and white.
The Bible reveals the true nature of humans as imperfect beings driven by self-preservation and greed.
We obviously live in an era with similar characteristics as those in Moses' and Jesus' times.
Therefore, we can learn much about how to manage in a hostile business environment and still succeed.
The Bible addresses many of the toughest issues in the business world today.
In just the first five pages, it addresses such issues as: how to set up the optimal organizational environment; the basic needs of the average human being; insubordination; outright rebellion; conflict resolution; and mediation between opposing parties.
Beyond these situations, there are examples of: how to use vision; how to set up organizational culture; selecting and mentoring successors, and how to approach others for best results.
These are only a few of the many case studies lying within Christian Holy book.
In all these things, the Bible proves itself to be a very strong guide for business management practices.
Before looking to the Bible as a guide for business practices, we must determine whether the Bible is a sound source for learning management principles and if those principles apply to the current business environment.
A careful read of the entire text will provide ample evidence that the Judeo-Christian Scriptures are a reliable source best practices in business management.
They use it to learn how to live their private lives according to God's revealed will.
In as much as so many look to the Judeo-Christian Scriptures as a guide for their private lives, the question is raised: do they also reference The Holy Book in their public and business lives? Furthermore, even if the devout followers of Jesus Christ do use it to direct their business affairs: is the Bible a reliable source for learning business best practices.
This article explores a number of reasons why the Bible is a reliable source for training in contemporary business management.
First, in general, the Judeo-Christian Bible claims to be a reliable source for prosperous living which would include all matters of life including business.
Sometime between the 1400 and 1200 B.
C.
E.
a man named Moses led the Israeli people from captivity in Egypt to the border of the modern day region of Palestine or Israel.
At that time, Moses passed away and Joshua his long-time apprentice led the people into the Promised Land.
After the death of his mentor Moses, Joshua was a bit overwhelmed by the upcoming task.
In order to comfort Joshua, the Lord from Heaven gave him a vision and exhorted him not to be afraid.
In that moment God commanded Joshua not to depart from the instruction of the Holy Scriptures but to meditate on them day and night.
God gave the newly selected leader the promise that if he would follow the Lord's instructions left by Moses, he would be prosperous and successful in everything he did.
In the same way, Jesus Christ exhorted his followers.
Jesus told his disciples that following his instructions was like building a house of a firm foundation.
When the storms of life rage, the man who lives his life according to Jesus' teachings would stand firm.
Conversely, Jesus said that not doing things according to his word was like building a house on top of sand.
When the storms of life rage, their lives would be washed away by the thunderous tides.
Second, the Bible claims to be profitable for teaching sound principles to those who study it which includes principles for practicing business.
Paul was one of Jesus' most famous followers.
He never met Jesus personally, but Jesus appeared to him through a vision sometime after His death and resurrection.
For many years, Paul served as a powerful example to other believers and he left behind some letters he wrote to his companions and those he mentored along the way.
One letter he sent was to a former apprentice named Timothy.
In that letter Paul wrote the following: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
" (The Holy Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
The phrase "equipped for every good work" must include business management practices.
Of course, to quote the Bible as a defense of its own reliability is circular reasoning and begs the question: are there any examples in its pages that serve as an example for management practices? The answer is: "Yes, plenty.
" Third, the Bible has much sound instruction that can be applied to all parts of life.
Beyond saying so, the Bible has many foundation principles that when practiced will lead to an effective life.
These foundation tenets can be found throughout the entire volume, especially in the first five books of the Bible; the Psalms and Proverbs; the prophetic literature; the accounts of Jesus' life on earth; and the letters written and circulated by his disciples.
As direct instruction, the Book of Proverbs serves as the best comprehensive source for how to conduct life in a successful manner.
Most of the wise sayings are attributed to Solomon, the third king of ancient Israel.
There are golden nuggets tucked within the text concerning many topics related to everyday problems and reactions.
Most of the nuggets are not specifically addressed to business situations but can be easily adapted to the business environment.
Fourth, the Bible has many examples of good, mediocre and poor management practices.
Furthermore, The Bible is more than just a witness of its own reliability and a book of nice sayings; it is also filled with real live case studies on management practices.
These case studies are found throughout the entire text and serve as powerful instruction of how to and how not to lead.
Some of the better examples of best practices in management include: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, King David, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jesus, Paul and God Himself.
Some of the worst examples are: Nimrod, Joab, King Saul, King Ahab, King Herod Antipas, and Caiaphas the High Priest.
The fact that the Biblical text includes both good and bad examples of management practices lends to its credibility as a guide in business affairs.
Real life is sticky.
Working with people is hardly black and white.
The Bible reveals the true nature of humans as imperfect beings driven by self-preservation and greed.
We obviously live in an era with similar characteristics as those in Moses' and Jesus' times.
Therefore, we can learn much about how to manage in a hostile business environment and still succeed.
The Bible addresses many of the toughest issues in the business world today.
In just the first five pages, it addresses such issues as: how to set up the optimal organizational environment; the basic needs of the average human being; insubordination; outright rebellion; conflict resolution; and mediation between opposing parties.
Beyond these situations, there are examples of: how to use vision; how to set up organizational culture; selecting and mentoring successors, and how to approach others for best results.
These are only a few of the many case studies lying within Christian Holy book.
In all these things, the Bible proves itself to be a very strong guide for business management practices.
Before looking to the Bible as a guide for business practices, we must determine whether the Bible is a sound source for learning management principles and if those principles apply to the current business environment.
A careful read of the entire text will provide ample evidence that the Judeo-Christian Scriptures are a reliable source best practices in business management.
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