A few months back I listening to an audio book called, “The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea” by Bob Burg and John David Mann
I really enjoy studying about business. I just have a way of getting involved in business ideas no matter where I go. Even when I arrived in Nicaragua it was not long I was baking chocolate cake and selling it to a local store owner that sold lunch meals along with pastry and coffee. The chocolate cake was a hit since most pastry stores do not make it.
Scripture says, “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” Proverbs 31:6
For me it has been investing in various product ideas and implementations, then turning them around and selling. So, it is no surprise to find me interested in business books.
Scripture Look into Business
There are so many biblical principle that the business world applies. It is no wonder, that those that get a solid handle on the principles, end up being quite successful in their endeavors. God honors His principles regardless. God is always willing to bless.
And he wants us to be such blessing too. “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45
So when the world who pays little attention to our Lord and Saviour applies biblical business principle they are blessed. Now the world may not call them that but as I examine their efforts in light of the truth of God’s word that is exactly what it is about.
Introduction to the Go Giver
I came across the Go Giver book because of some savvy advertisement by Amazon on Audible where the audio book was severely cut in price. At first I was reluctant because it said it was a story. I am not much for fiction unless it has a really good allegoric application to real life.
I read the description that talked of a man named Joe looking for success. I could understand that. I asked my Lord what He thought. He posed no rebuttal and the price was within my budget so I purchased the book trust my Lord had a real purpose for it.
I found the short story had me tuned in pondering all the while of the business principles. How so much of what Joe was being told to apply resonated with scripture. In the following I will present the five laws of stratospheric success that they mentioned in the book but I will apply them to scriptural thinking.
Law of Value
This law determines what you are actually worth. It is done by how much you are willing to give.
Many times you will even hear business folks quote, “It is better to give than to receive.” Which was the case in this book. And they even pointed out that in doing so you will even feel foolish.
The scripture look in this can be found in Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Notice there is a labor involved in giving as you spend time with those that are weak. You give them the necessary support they need and sometimes it is through sacrifice of your time and even money.
Law of Compensation
Here the book teaches that your income can be determined by the amount of people you serve and how you serve them.
If you are serving as a Pastor of a church you can relate to this law most of all. Scripture says, “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:18
You may be in a position where you solely depend on the blessing of the saints. And what a privilege place to be. For as you serve them God moves upon them to be a blessing to you.
The same principle will apply for any Christian in ministry.It is even applicable if you are out in the work force.
When you go to work with the mentality that you are there to serve it is a matter of time that your service will be compensated.
Law of Influence
I would say this law goes nicely hand-in-hand with the law of compensation. When you are determined to serve others then you will be seeking their interest above your own.
Favorite scriptures of mine concerning this very law are found in Philippians 2:3,4 “”Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
How using your service and influence to place other people’s interest above your own?
When you do you will see an incredible dynamics take place. People you did not even think you liked, even in the Christian world, you will come to love and serve them (yes I have first hand experience on this but more on that in another post).
Law of Authenticity
There is no other you in this entire universe. You are truly are, “”fearfully and wonderfully made” (see Psalm 139:14). You are also redeemed by the blood of the lamb to serve Him to allow your light to shine before men to include people out in your every day world.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
I will also add you are uniquely you when it comes to shinning too. No need to be someone “spiritual” you are not. God is mainly concerned with the measure of faith He has given you.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3
Law of Receptivity
This is a very important one and often overlooked. You have learned that it is more blessed to give than to receive but can I remind you that you cannot give what you do not have.
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1
May I exhort you to receive with open arms what God wants to give you. It is only by receiving of his wonderful grace, that grace that is Christ himself that you will be able to give.
The Laws Applied to the Christian Life
So you receive, to give value to others, who will be desirous to compensate you as you influence their lives in the unique way you are for the glory of God.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Now if you would like to learn how you can apply these laws to your own business, ministry or other areas of your life then I suggest you read or listen to the audio book, “The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea” by Bob Burg and John David Mann
Feel free to post your questions or comments below.
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