Applying the Ten Commandments to Life in Business
Posted by Joshua on December 6, 2008 under Faith, Featured Articles | 
3 Comments to Read
Have you ever considered how the 10 Commandments as found in Exodus 20 could apply to business today? I suggest that each one could have a dramatic effect on you as a leader, business person, and mentor. Individually…
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Do you put Christ first in all you do? One of the most common pitfalls for Christian entrepreneurs is allowing their work to become their first passion. Do you wake up every morning thinking about your business and find that it’s the last thing on your mind before going to sleep. Your business can become your god! God started with this commandment for a reason – He is to be FIRST in all that we do; not in word only but also in action.
What to know – Your head will be where your heart is. If you spend most of your time thinking of your business, it will become your god.
2. Thou shalt make no graven images
You might say “I don’t have an idol I worship,” but let’s look at this commandment just a bit deeper. Ancient people made sacrifices to their idols. They would lay the sacrifice at the foot of the object, desiring forgiveness, success or even fertility. Do you go anywhere other than the foot of God with your sacrifices of work, praise, and success?
What to know – Do you sacrifice more for you business than you do for Christ? Have you created a business that is a GRAVEN image to which you bow down?
3. Thou shalt not take the Lords name in vain
Most of the time we look at this commandment as using foul language. And I agree with that. However, the definition of vain is “without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless”
Notice the first part of the definition, “without REAL significance.” I hear people use the name of the Lord when they believe it will benefit them in some way. Wouldn’t that be “without real significance?” If you talk differently because of whom you are in front of, it is possible that you are taking the Lords name in vain. For example, with one person you might say “God has given us the ability to…” and with another person you might say “we have the ability to…” Did you throw in the name of God just because you know the setting and it could help you in some way? Or did you leave it out with the other because you are not sure where they stand? You might be using the Lords name in vain.
What to know – Gods name is NEVER to be used lightly. It is not just about foul language.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
Entrepreneurs have the ability to work, work and work some more. Time can be your biggest enemy. God is not only telling you take time off. He is tell you to keep the day HOLY. By doing this you remain grounded. Monday through Friday are better if you have a proper perspective. He did not say keep the morning Holy. He did not say “go to church.” He said “keep the DAY holy.”
What to know – Don’t cheat yourself from rest. Keep the entire day holy, not just part of it. You will be more productive the rest of the week. The work you would do on Sunday afternoon or evening really is not worth it.
5. Honor thy Father and thy Mother
As entrepreneurs, we have the ability to say things like “what I become or the business I build will be an honor to my parents”. And yes, this is true in part. However, if you look at the word honor you’ll see that it conveys integrity, fairness, and honesty. If you run your business without integrity, fairness and honesty it is dishonorable to your mother and father. Do you think the CEO’s of ENRON, AIG or Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae have brought honor to their parents? NO, because of the way they conducted their business. Now on a side note – your mother and father would be most honored if you would spend time with them! Regardless of what has happened in the past spend time with them.
What to know – To honor your father and mother means to act in an honorable way in business.
6. Thou shalt Not Kill
I am sure you are not a murderer! As leaders we must understand the influence we have over people with how we talk to them, our demeanor, and our body language. Leaders are watched for every detail. We might not literally commit murder, but do we kill the spirit of people? The team you assemble will be the success of your organization, so RESPECT is required.
What to know – When you kill someone’s spirit, it affects your organization.
7. Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
Work relationships don’t work. Successful people must know that the temptation of the opposite sex is very strong. People are attracted to the position/money/success and NOT always the person. Don’t believe the lie that the grass will be greener on the other side of the fence. If you fall to this temptation, you will lose it all. It isn’t worth it. No business, regardless of how big or small, is worth compromising the most basic of moral principals.
What to know – People are attracted to successful people not for who they are but for what they have built. Don’t throw everything away for someone who DOES NOT love you!
8. Thou Shalt Not Steal
In our business we have received overpayment of checks of thousands of dollars. Some have been small checks and some have been large. We once had to decide if we would cash a particular check and if caught give it back, OR call the client and let them know. This was a very large company we were working with and they would have never missed the money. We probably would have never been caught. Without hesitation we called and then drove the extra check over to the client. You see they might not have known about it but it was NOT our money so therefore, to have kept it would have been stealing!
What to know – Integrity is doing what is right even when no one is watching. Cheating on taxes or shaving off the top IS stealing.
9. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
Entrepreneurs have the tendency to create the world the way they like to see it, making them or their organization look better and bigger than it is in reality. Bearing false witness IS talking down about your competitor unjustly. Learn from what they do right, improve on what they do wrong, but DON’T tear them down to lift yourself up.
What to know – Making statements about your competition that are not true IS bearing false witness. If you get a sale because of making false statements about your competitor then you have won by cheating.
10. Thou Shalt Not Covet
SHOW ME THE MONEY! We have all heard this statement, but the word of God says “what does it profit you to gain the world…”. If money, houses, and things are your motivation you will NEVER be satisfied. Learn to be happy with the accomplishments and success of others. Your mansion is set in heaven so don’t worry about what others have or what you don’t have.
What to know – Satisfaction will NOT come from the things we acquire. Instead of focusing on what others have or what you don’t have, be content in where you are now. Life is short – don’t spend it on focused on things that rust.
Welcome to the new online home of BIC Ventures, where we’re excited to promote and inspire entrepreneurship with purpose! This site will become a place where believers can grow their spirits as well as their business. We will soon be offering articles on a variety of topics relevant to Christian entrepreneurship as well as services to help you grow your business.