Biblical Business Assessment

How often do you pray for the ability to think and act more like Jesus so you can grow into a stronger leader? Do you confess your mistakes and repent when you fall short; hold yourself and the people who work for you accountable to deliver results; and serve others regularly?

Does your team know where you are going and why they are following you? Have you defined your company's vision, core values, and performance expectations? Do you have a clear, written mission/vision that is properly communicated and shared by the entire team? Establish clear core values that are implemented in every facet of operations and promotions.

Pride is a particularly dangerous sin because it not only separates you from God, but it also causes you to attack God by attempting to dethrone Him in your life and enthrone yourself as your own god. Are you asking God to help you cultivate humility, which will bring you both peace and success? Recognize that you're a sinner just like everyone else and that you’re not superior to anyone. Don't always insist on having your own way just because you own or run the business. Seek out and be open to biblical instruction, reproof, rebuke, and constructive criticism. Learn from others and accept help from them whenever you need it.

Do you ever find yourself telling "white lies" or ask the people who work for you to do so? Do you tell the truth even when it's not easy, cheap, popular, or convenient? Follow through on your commitments even if they become more costly, inconvenient, or time-consuming than you'd estimated. 

Do you genuinely care about people? Learn to be efficient with things but effective with people; listen more than you speak; and ask the right questions to engage others in good conversations. Don't keep score with people; serve them to express your love for God rather than because you're expecting something in return. Control your attitudes and your emotions to make them positive, rather than negative. Look for ways to meet others' needs. Invest in your employees' development by giving them the resources they need to be successful. Care enough to confront them when they're off track. Pray for them regularly.

Do you hire people prayerfully and strategically? Have you established a culture that promotes accountability and includes Jesus in every facet of your operations? Develop your team with the highest upward potential in your business. Delegate work to them, encourage them, and hold them accountable for results.

Do you get easily offended and frustrated? Learn how to confront and not stuff. Let go of grudges against those who hurt or offend you; forgive and reconcile right away. Always be honest and up front, keeping a short leash on your emotions. Don’t be a stuffer!

How well do you focus your time on the tasks that you can best accomplish in the least amount of time? Identify your priorities and base your schedule on them, and don’t let trivial tasks consume too much of your attention. Whenever you need to add something to your "to-do" list, take something else off. Trust God in every part of your life and tell Him that you want to use your time to fulfill His purposes.  He will guide you to use your time well. 

Do you ever lose sight of the fact that all of the money you and your company have earned has come from God? Give generously as God leads you. Avoid unnecessary debt and pay off existing debt as soon as possible. Don't concern yourself with the prosperity of dishonest people; keep doing what's right and trust God to judge everyone fairly.

Build mental balance into your life by learning new information and developing new skills; emotional balance by investing in relationships; physical balance by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet; and build spiritual balance by celebrating disciplines like prayer, Bible study, scripture meditation, and participating in church worship services. Build structure for all quadrants of life and make sure you are addressing them all with the same amount of passion (for Jesus).