It never ceases to amaze me how relevant the Bible still is even with some of the books being thousands of years old. Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun and he was right. Methods may change, but thousands of years ago people were still people dealing with issues just like we do.
I did some digging to find some scriptures about business, because I want to do things the right way. So whether you are a business owner, an employee of a business, or just buy stuff from businesses (that covers just about all of us – right?) there is some wisdom to be received from these scriptures.
Scriptures about Business
Genesis 2:15
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Exodus 23:12
Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.
Leviticus 19:13
You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.
Deuteronomy 25:13-15
You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house
differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Job 31:13-14
“If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves when they filed a complaint against me, what then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?”
Nehemiah 6:9
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
Psalm 112:5
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Proverbs 10:4
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.
Proverbs 13:11
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.
Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
Proverbs 21:25
The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
Proverbs 22:16
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness and his upper rooms without justice, who uses his neighbor’s services without pay and does not give him his wages.
Malachi 3:5
Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me, says the LORD of hosts.
Luke 16:10
He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Ephesians 6:9
And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
Colossians 4:1
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
1 Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
James 5:4
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
Do you know any other bible verses about business or work that you want to add?
These are a few blog carnivals from the last couple weeks... Personal Finance, Debt Reduction, Money Stories, Best of Money, Money Stories, Economy, 20-Somethings
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That’s quit the list. Thank you for getting back to the Word. I appreciate your writing here and know it’s grounded in the Bible. It’s wonderful to actually see the passages quoted now and then, though, to back everything up.
So many people talk about trying to keep the Gospel relevant. As you showed, it’s not that difficult. Quote Scripture for crying out loud! :>)
-Marshall Jones Jr.
“Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.”
We can see the reality of this all around. We all have different skills sets and desires to pursue certain careers. While we might think this is completely our exercising our free will, it does seem that we’re pre-positioned to enter certain fields.
The converse–also as evidence–is when you see someone working in a career they obviously aren’t suited for. It’s usually a sad situation.
It really creates an imperative to finding what it is we’re best suited to do, and that is desire as well as ability. In fact, ability often rises to the level of desire.
“It never ceases to amaze me how relevant the Bible still is even with some of the books being thousands of years old.” You’re not the only one!!
I love the fact that I go to the Bible and get ANY solution to ANY problem. I’m glad He designed it like that! Not just a book or spirituality, but a book for everday living–The Book of Life!
Thanks for the excellent list. I will use this in my bible study.
Thanks Kevin @Out Of Your Rut. Exodus 35:35 “he has filled them to do all kinds of work as craftmen…..all of them master craftmen and designers.” I have been in a job for the last year that suited most of our needs, but not what I am crafted at. And I have been very unhappy. I have had a opportunity to move back into the field that I love but it will also meet the financial needs and more for my family the only draw back is it will take more of my time because it will require more hours but I miss the beauty industry so much and I was good at it and feel this is the right move for me with the answer coming from God how could this be a bad move. I am just not cut out for a desk job. Thanks for Gods Word. It has help me to make a decision that I have been in prayer about for a few weeks so if they make the final offer I will go for it!! A sister with a solution!!! Polly
Hi just found this website as I googled scriptures for business. thank you for your tips Bob – but also remember Proverbs 31 from verse 10 to the end. One of the best scriptures about enterprise , leadership, worklife balance and customer service I have every read – so good that I named my company after it!
The LORD causes my thoughts to become agreeable to HIS will & so my plans are established & successfull Prov 16:3
Thanx Jerry for that scripture
I also appreciate the directive in Leviticus 19: 9 & 10. Paraphrased it tells us, “Do not wholly reap nor glean your own vineyard.” As a small business owner, I am always on the lookout for those areas where others can also benefit from the field God has given me to work. It’s fun to see all the people whose needs can be met by the same field!
John 9: 4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.”
Im trying to start a homebased business here inIndianapolis a faith based, and I want to outreach to like minded people to proper in a honest constructive manner.
Good evening Evelyn – How are your prospects going with starting your home based business?
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