Seven Biblical Principles For Success

I’m so glad you are either already engaged in a work-at-home endeavor or are considering doing so.  We have so much more freedom in this type of venue than when we are constrained by a time-clock and the rules and regulations of the “normal” business world.  Since we can make our own hours, we never have to miss another Christian conference or meeting because we are tied to the office!  And, we can use our business as an opportunity to share the goodness and love of our Lord with our clients or customers!  

I have done some research about how our Father feels about our business endeavors and will be sharing some encouraging and supportive scriptures with you in this seven part series.  I pray that you will be blessed by it.

In Part 1 we will discover how God feels about our prosperity: 

Mary had tried a couple of times to get her new internet business off the ground.  She found herself starting off with much enthusiasm, but after sharing her business ideas with some of her Christian friends, she would lose steam.  She would sometimes encounter raised eyebrows when she talked about being able to make a lot of money.  She was being affected by the misconception that being financially successful is in conflict with being Godly.  After considerable frustration and discouragement, she discovered an important Biblical principle relating to her business.  We can be Successful AND Godly at the same time!

In Ed Silvosa's book ­ Anointed For Business we read:   ... they should not cause us to perceive profit as intrinsically evil. In fact, it is this misconception that prevents many Christians from making it big in business. Deep down they are not sure that they can be successful and Godly at the same time. This ambivalence causes them to get lost in a maze of self-doubts." (pg 63)

Let’s look at how our Father feels about our prosperity:

•	What do we want for our children?  Do we want them to struggle and go hungry?  Of course not!
	If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matthew 7:11
•	Not only does our Father want good things for us, but His plan is to prosper us!
	For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11
•	He wants to bless us abundantly…
	Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him.  Genesis 26:12
•	It’s more than ok to accept and enjoy our Father’s gifts to us!
	Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
•	He expects us to be paid for our work:
	“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.  Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work of the temple.  And have these men pay the workers who repair the temple of the LORD – the carpenters, the builders and the masons.  2 Kings 22:4-6
•	Since God wants us to prosper, we know that he will equip and enable us to do so.
	Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  I Chronicles 29:12

His word gives us the principles and basic instructions we need in order to receive the prosperity He has for us.  This is not a step-by-step instruction guide - it is a matter of the heart.  If our heart is in the right place, then we are standing in the right place to receive our Father's blessings.

Praise the LORD.  Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.  His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.  Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.  Psalm 112

In the next issue, we’ll take a look at how we must first seek the Lord and honor God if we wish to be in a position to receive all that He has for us.  In the meantime, please feel free to visit my site: Work-At-Home-Christians.com for some great resources and information for your internet business.   

Blessings In Jesus,

Karla Woods
Work-At-Home-Christians.com