Solomon was a Businessman: Advice from the Wealthiest Man on Earth
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Solomon was a Businessman - Resource Publications
Solomon Was a Businessman
Advice from the Wealthiest Man on Earth
Ardith Baker
David Wesley Whitlock
18058.pngSolomon Was a Businessman
Advice from the Wealthiest Man on Earth
Copyright © 2008 Ardith Baker and David Wesley Whitlock. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.
Resource Publications
A Division of Wipf and Stock Publishers
199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3
Eugene, OR 97401
ISBN 13: 978-1-55635-989-7
EISBN 13: 978-1-4982-7450-0
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV
and New International Version
trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked TLB
or The Living Bible
are taken from The Living Bible, Kenneth N. Taylor, Wheaton: Tyndale House, Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT
are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NAS
are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV
are taken from the New King James Version ®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked KJV
are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769.
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are taken from the New Revised Standard Version. Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Beginning of Knowledge
Make All You Can
Success and Significance
Wisdom, Knowledge, and Decision-Making
An Ancient Secret to Improve Decision-Making Skills
Wisdom
Keep to the Paths of the Just
Trust and Acknowledge the Lord
Giving Sacrificially
Discretion
Have You Given Today?
Shine
The Issues of Life
Seductive Deals
Antics
When You Get What You Want,Will You Want What You Get?
With Wisdom Comes Knowledge
Where You Live and Where You Walk
Correction, Instruction, and Teaching
Tsunami Relief
Remember Me
And Then Some
Be Wise in the Long Run
Laziness
Honest Scales
Humility
The Influence of a Leader
Hold Your Tongue
Secrets
Compensation
Generosity
Discipline and Correction
Hard Work
Heeding Instruction
Building Walls
Quick, Hide Me!
Big Talkers
You Were Never in Control
What Are You Hungry For?
How Much Is Enough?
An Apt Reply
Back to Camp
Commitment
Just Weights
Choosing the Right Path
Hunger
Body Language
Games of Chance
A Man of Few Words
A Simple Gift
Decision-Making
Integrity
Deception
Light from God
When You Get Where You’re Going,Where Will You Be?
Greedy for More or Anxious to Give?
First Maturity, Then Promotion
Core Values
Balance Your Life
Uncompromising Commitment
Instruction and Knowledge
Hope
Strategic Planning
Seeking Success
Timing
Aptly Spoken Words
Fire Prevention
Avoid Gossip
Marketing Ourselves
Warning Signs
Refining Each Other
A Heart’s Reflection
Know the State of Your Flocks
Usury
Discernment
Teamwork
Fighting Fear
Satisfaction Guaranteed
The Proverbs 31 Manager
Epilogue: Our Prayer
Contributing Authors
Bibliography
To my husband, Paul and to my family Seth, Ali, Drew, Oshean, and Louie.
–AB
To my grandparents, Rev. Harold and Zelma Whitlock and to my folks, Shirley and Norval Millsap,and Ron and Vanna Whitlock.
–DWW
Acknowledgments
Special thanks are expressed to our copyeditor, Dr. Linda Gray, for her assistance, and to the staff at Wipf and Stock, Resource Publications. Thanks to all our colleagues who contributed to this volume, and especially Marshal Wright, Walter MacMillan, Gordon Dutile, and C. Pat Taylor. Thanks to Steve Quinnelly and David Dyson for their inspiration and challenge to look deeper into the Word of God. We also express our appreciation to our spouses, Paul Baker and Dana Leigh Whitlock.
Introduction
Wisdom from the Proverbs
Solomon, the king of Israel and son of Israel’s greatest KingDavidwas asked by Jehovah what he desired most. His answer was wisdom.
Though God also granted Solomon great wealth and power, the greatest gift was the answer to his prayer. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Solomon recorded many of his sayings, and these wisdom verses are included in the book of Proverbs
For attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young.
(Prov. 1:2–4)
A wise pastor once counseled me to read one chapter of Proverbs a day—one chapter for each day of the month, starting over each month. Reading through these passages, I am struck with how relevant and timely the proverbs are, not only for our personal lives, but for our professional business lives as well. My pastor knew that I would be blessed if I applied God’s words of wisdom to my daily living and my relationships.
Imagine, then, how our businesses might be blessed and prosperous if we simply apply these truths to our business relationships as well! Like my pastor encouraged me, I also encourage you to read one chapter of Proverbs a day so that God can speak to you through his scripture. It is my greatest desire that God bless you and your business as you read and apply these scriptural truths.
—Ardith Baker
The Beginning of Knowledge
Ardith Baker
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
(Prov. 1:7)
From birth until death, we acquire a vast amount of knowledge. In business, we depend upon knowledge to make sound business decisions, to get ahead of our competitors, to remain on the cutting edge, and ultimately to succeed. However, knowledge without divine insight and direction is just useless information. Solomon begins his book of Proverbs by setting the record straight. Recognizing the source of his knowledge and wisdom, he sums it up in this statement: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. . . .
Fearing God means that you acknowledge him as your creator and heavenly Father and submit to his will in your personal and business lives. This type of respect and submission is the first step toward true knowledge. Once this is established, your priorities straighten out and everything else—your relationships, finances, business—falls into place. Establish your knowledge base by acknowledging God. Make it your priority to increase your knowledge of him through prayer and his written Word. Respect his desire to love, guide, and direct you in all that you do. Then you will be able to go out in the world with this secure knowledge base, build on it, and succeed.
Thank you, Lord, for loving us and giving us the opportunity to learn and increase our knowledge. Give us insight and discretion so that we will apply our knowledge according to your wisdom and thus glorify your name. Amen.