Business Principles and Methods
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or not, we are stewards, supplied from God with talents and facilities,
and placed in the world to do a work appointed by Him.
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To every man is given “his work” (
Mark 13:34
), the work for which
his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good
to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.
Thus our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and, so
long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is re-
sponsible for the results. “Laborers together with God” (
1 Corinthians
3:9
), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus there is
no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and
discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest
capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome
of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The word that fed Israel in
the desert, and sustained Elijah through the time of famine, has the
same power today. “Be not therefore anxious (R.V.), saying, What
shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? ... Seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.”
Matthew 6:31-33
.
He who gives men power to get wealth has with the gift bound up
an obligation. Of all that we acquire He claims a specified portion.
The tithe is the Lord’s. “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed
of the land, or of the fruit of the tree,” “the tithe of the herd, or of the
flock, ... shall be holy unto the Lord.”
Leviticus 27:30, 32
. The pledge
made by Jacob at Bethel shows the extent of the obligation. “Of all
that Thou shalt give me,” he said, “I will surely give the tenth unto
Thee.”
Genesis 28:22
.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” (
Malachi 3:10
), is
God’s command. No appeal is made to gratitude or to generosity. This
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is a matter of simple honesty. The tithe is the Lord’s; and He bids us
return to Him that which is His own.
“It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
1 Corinthi-
ans 4:2
. If honesty is an essential principle of business life, must we
not recognize our obligation to God—the obligation that underlies
every other?
By the terms of our stewardship we are placed under obligation,
not only to God, but to man. To the infinite love of the Redeemer every
human being is indebted for the gifts of life. Food and raiment and
shelter, body and mind and soul—all are the purchase of His blood.