Chapter 15—Business Principles and Methods
“He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.”
There is no branch of legitimate business for which the Bible does
not afford an essential preparation. Its principles of diligence, honesty,
thrift, temperance, and purity are the secret of true success. These
principles, as set forth in the book of Proverbs, constitute a treasury of
practical wisdom. Where can the merchant, the artisan, the director of
men in any department of business, find better maxims for himself or
for his employees than are found in these words of the wise man:
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before
kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”
Proverbs 22:29
.
“In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to
penury.”
Proverbs 14:23
.
“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.” “The drunk-
ard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe
a man with rags.”
Proverbs 13:4
;
23:21
.
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that
flattereth with his lips.”
Proverbs 20:19
.
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words;” but “every fool will
be meddling.”
Proverbs 17:27
;
20:3
.
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“Go not in the way of evil men;” “can one go upon hot coals, and
his feet not be burned?”
Proverbs 4:14
;
6:28
.
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.”
Proverbs 13:20
.
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.”
Proverbs
18:24
.
The whole circle of our obligation to one another is covered by
that word of Christ’s, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them.”
Matthew 7:12
.
How many a man might have escaped financial failure and ruin
by heeding the warnings, so often repeated and emphasized in the
Scriptures:
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