Biblical Principles to Boost Your Business

If you use the search term “business” in Amazon books, you’ll get a whopping 2 million results. That’s a lot of books to read. Even if you narrow your search to “running a business,” you’ll get a list of over 31,000 books. We don’t know about you, but we don’t have that kind of time!

Did you know the Bible contains advice that could help your business thrive and grow? You may not be a religious person. We get it—not everyone is. You may not read the Bible or even own one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from what it says. Try out these solid business principles pulled straight from its pages. You might just be surprised at how relevant they are.

4 Biblical Principles to Grow Your Business

1. Get a Solid Plan in Place

Even if you don’t know much about the Bible, you know what proverbs are. They’re short, well-known sayings that make a point. The proverbs in the Bible are no different. Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

You can’t expect your business to thrive in the long term if you’re flying by the seat of your pants. You may glide momentarily, but you’ll crash and burn if you don’t know where you’re trying to land. What do you want your business to look like in six months? One year? Five years? Twenty years? You may not know all the small details, but you need to have a long-term flight plan in place.

2. Surround Yourself With Wise People

Proverbs 13:20 (NAS) says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” If you hang out with wise people, their wisdom rubs off on you. If you surround yourself with idiots, you’ll pay the price—and so will your business.

The team members you hire, your associates, and your circle of trusted colleagues are critical to your success. Surround yourself with wise peers who have earned the right to speak into your business—and who will tell you the truth even if it’s uncomfortable for both of you.

3. Do the Hard Work

Proverbs 12:11 (ESV) says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” Being a successful business leader means putting in the hours, making sacrifices, and doing the tasks nobody else will touch.

Do what needs to be done—even if it means making copies, cleaning the bathrooms, or making reservations. Don’t get caught up in distractions. You can’t expect your business to thrive if you’re shirking responsibility to go golfing with your buddies.

4. Mind Your Mind

This last principle isn’t a proverb, but it can still make the difference between success or failure in business. Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) says:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Your focus and your attitude will spill over into your interactions with both your team members and your customers. If you keep thinking about that lost sale, you’re more likely to lose the next one. If you focus on what’s good—your colleagues, the progress of your business, the personal growth you’ve seen lately—you’re likely to make strides in other areas.

Practice Biblical Principles in Your Business

How would your business be different if you put these biblical principles into practice? Here’s your challenge: Test them out for yourself. They may just change the shape and direction of your company and take it to the next level.

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