Hebrew 5:8 Although he was a son (Christ), he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Christ knows about our humanity and suffering far greater than anything we will ever experience. His plan was to seek the Lord’s voice and His direction and plan on earth. You can do it, too. He believes in you. Speaking from experience, serving him will be the most wonderful pain in your entire life. Yes, we will have peace but experience pain as well…its part of all life in a broken world. Christ suffered many of the trials we face and of course much more on the cross. Yet, the joy and peace of Christ will surpass all your understanding. 

Bottom Line: Those who have researched the word say that the Lord will not manipulate our economy. But He allows decline when our character, moral and spiritual behavior move off course and beyond His Grace. He has a plan to accomplish His will in the each of us, which will fulfill His plans in a fallen world. No man is an island. 

Our problem is that we are selfish and don’t see the big picture nor the importance of our relationships to accomplish His will.

The answer to our problem is not found in solutions but a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

Take heed and follow His ways.

To contact John Beehner on Genesis: The Business Workshop, Wise Counsel or receive materials. Share your feedback e-mail John@askwisecounsel.com

Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Cecil B. de Mille, the legendary film maker, directed movies like the Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston, King of Kings and many other famous films of his era. . He attributes his career to the nightly Bible readings by his father before he went to sleep as a young boy. He said he could imagine and picture in his mind as his father read to him. What does your family or employees picture in their minds when you read or talk with them? Are they inspired or frustrated? Are they learning to trust the Lord by your example? 

24. We discover where to put our trust and security. 

Romans 8:37-39 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jack Eckerd, was the founder of the Eckerd Drugs chain, which was eventually sold to CVS stores. He was considered a moral, honest, giving and ethical man, who put his trust in hard work, integrity and his business success. But at age 70, He turned his life over to the Lord and said, “I discovered my thinking was all wrong. I had been number one and everything revolved around me.” He discovered that “His unmerited favor was working in me and through me.” He spent the last part of his life writing and helping Prison inmates to know and serve the Lord.

John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Jim Dismore, the former SVP of Walmart with Sam Walton, has spent the last 20 years helping Christian Entrepreneurs. He says the number one problem with small business owners is that they “can’t stay focused. “ We take on too many projects, products or services. We need to cut back on our least effective or least profitable offerings. We must play to our God given strengths and know our calling. 

22.We discover the truth about win-win relationships. 

Matthew16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul.

James Kraft, rode his horse drawn cart through the streets of Chicago barking “cheese for sale.” One day out of despair, when he cried out to the Lord, He answered him and gave him the direction he needed to change him and set Kraft Foods on course for the next century. James spent the rest of his life witnessing for the Lord.

1 Peter 5:2  Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.  Dan Cathy, President of Chick-fil-A felt the inspiration to produce a short video to inspire his people to “Go the Extra Mile.”
He believes they can still improve their servant heart to bring complete satisfaction to their customers he calls guests.  It demonstrates a pure servants heart to keep getting better.  It ‘s a great attitude considering their employee turnover is less than a third of the national
Average,  also in light of the fact that their sales are equal or better than their competitors who are open seven  days a week ( Chick-fil-A is closed Sundays).  
20.  We rediscover, again, strength is in our weaknesses.  
2 Corinthians 12:9 But Jesus said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
“Humility is either a choice or consequence.”  When we try as hard as we can often things won’t work as we planned.  Many times I read about a great new technique that another company uses…but often it fails to work for me. Learning the hard way, who’s really in control, is a sobering lesson.  My strength is in Him.  The Lord opens doors and wants me to accomplish His work not my own personal ambition.  We have all heard the old saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. I’ve had various times and frustrations when I was able to remind myself of the phrase “Its in giving that we receive.” Jesus life was about sacrifice and no success is ever achieved without a sacrifice. Albert Einstein said, “A hundred times a day I remind myself that my life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself to give in the measure I have received.” Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to demonstrate and lead by example– no one is below becoming a servant to others.

 18. We relearn to watch our tongue.  

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ Proverbs 4:20-22 Give attention to My words. Incline your ears to my sayings. Keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh. In my True Wealth book and Genesis Workshop, I elaborate on this subject, but if you logically think about it…The Lord spoke the world into existence. Our tongue is a rudder. Since we are created in His image, our word’s create, heal, kill or speak power into our vision. Learn to praise with your tongue if you want a healthy company with inspired employees and customers who can capture their spirit.

 Jeremiah 8:9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? After Bernie Madloff scammed investor out of billions of dollars, his life and family are reduced to a legacy of shame, cheating, theft and crime. He will die in his own living hell in a prison. Hopefully, in his cell he will come to know the living God, to decide where he will spend eternity.

 16. We rediscover where to put our loyalties.   Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. When John D. Rockefeller. was near death, the Lord gave him a Biblical vision summarized by “Too whom much is given, much is required.” Shaken, moved and rejuvenated. the next day he pulled his staff together to form the Rockefeller Foundation. If you are gifted to make a lot of money, its really not yours to keep, but to give a way, just as you are called to share your talents, friendships, and knowledge. You are called to share your financial resources with those who can change the lives of others.

Acts 10:2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. The truth is that businesses are extended families. Its always been one of the missions of Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, to create that family atmosphere among the employees, customers and corporate people. Truett, has spent his life teaching young boys in Sunday school and urged every employee to be in church on Sunday. If your employees put you on trial could they gather enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?

14. We rediscover saving is a good habit. 

Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. The overheated economy helped create a new cottage industry of Rehabbing houses just to “flip them” for a fast buck. With easy money available from lenders and customers able to qualify and buy at low rates, you could fix and resell the house before the first mortgage payment. Many of those entrepreneurs are in big debt now. Saving is always the more reliable and slower way to riches. The Bibles says in Proverbs 22:7 the borrower is servant to the lender.

11. He allows adversity for our long term good.

1 Corn. 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Mary Kay, resigned her Sales Manager position out of pain, bitterness and because of sexual discrimination. After a long period of pain, tears and eventual healing, she realized God had a greater purpose in her trials. It led to the founding of her own company and helping thousands of women to begin their own business.

12. In times of trouble, we seek the Lord for wisdom.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

In Proverbs 2:12 it says, Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse. In 1995, when I realized the Lord was calling me to write a book, I did the logical thing to me, I hired a ghostwriter. Writing a book, was the last thing on my personal agenda. Very quickly I discovered that it was a big mistake to try and delegate the book. So in humility I prayed and prayed and cried out to Him to give me wisdom for hours at a time. That book did something in me, far greater than becoming a best seller. It changed me for Eternity. If we sincerely seek wisdom, He will provide it… not always in our timing, but His.

9. God uses adversity to prepare us for bigger and better things.

2 Corinthians 7:4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. Henry Crowell believed God had a hand on his life. So when he discovered that he must move out West for 7 years to overcome tuberculosis, he never lost his faith because he knew he had a greater purpose in the journey. He finally discovered it when he returned to Ohio and was led by the Lord to begin building the Quaker Oats company.

10. We learn to overcome fear and negativity as we live by faith.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. In 1980, I was struggling with a failing business. One day, I saw a demon in my mind trying to destroy me. Through the testimony of another businessman, I realized Christ was my answer to overcome the fear that gripped me.. The next day, I committed my life to Him and within 7 days He led me to a business called TEC that changed me and hundreds of CEOs over the next 13 years. That depressing experience rocked my world, yet brought me peace of mind, a sense of purpose and joy (even in my pain) beyond my ability to describe it to you.

8. We learn to work smarter and not always harder. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. “People are not just remembered by how few times they fail, but by often they succeed. Every wrong step is a step forward.” said Thomas Edison. Tom Watson, who really built IBM into a worldwide company, said something similar…”Successful companies just make mistakes faster.” A recession is a great time to learn what did not work and where to keep trying.