Every businessman, in order to succeed, begins with plans that are well considered from many angles. James, in his concise book, tells us of some who say, "To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city. and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain." James 4:1313Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (James 4:13). They are answered by these words, "Ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this. or that." James 4:1515For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (James 4:15).
In their plan they had five definite things laid out: (1) when; (2) where; (3) how long; (4) what they would do: (5) their purpose. Similar plans are very carefully considered today by businessmen in their desire to succeed. There is one thing we see that is lacking. What is it? It is the most important thing. It is that the Lord is not consulted and perhaps not even thought of. If all God-fearing businessmen would own the Lord in what they are doing, it would surely be for their profit. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Prov. 3:66In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6). This is still a precious promise from the Lord to us.
One of the oldest business transactions that we know about was between two brothers. It involved one thing that was tangible and another that was intangible. The transaction was also recognized and sealed in heaven. In the book of Genesis we learn of the twins, Esau and Jacob. All the promise of God in connection with the birthright of the firstborn was Esau's. He despised God's promise and sold it to cunning Jacob for a mess of pottage. (Chili or bean soup or something similar.) Esau wanted something tangible and something for his present desires. Jacob, by faith, saw the intangible and chose that which went beyond the present and far into the future. He valued God's promise even though he did not rightly wait upon God for it. Nevertheless, God recognized that sale and in Ex. 4:2222And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: (Exodus 4:22) it says, "Israel [Jacob] is My son, even My firstborn.”
Do you value the Word of God and all the precious, unchangeable promises He has given to us? Each one of us can learn by thinking of ourselves as being businessmen and working for our Lord and Master. It is a very great privilege and responsibility. In God's Word there are five rules for doing the King's business:
We should ask our God each day to give us grace and energy to apply these things to our business in whatever He indicates for us to do. Let us remember the one who said, "I must be about My Father's business." Luke 2:4949And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49).
Darius the king set Daniel over the whole realm. He was the administrator of all. He had charge of all the royal revenue. Certainly this was a great business with many cares and decisions, yet Daniel found time to pray three times each day. Disappointed rivals sought to find something to accuse Daniel of in his business administration and could not. All things under Daniel went smoothly in the affairs of the kingdom.
Some would say that Daniel was a first-class businessman to find so much time for prayer. Instead of that, it was his taking so much time to pray that made him so diligent, successful and wise in running the affairs of the kingdom. Ed.