Thematic Bible: Business life
Thematic Bible
Business life » Integrity » Examples of
Then Moses became very angry and said to the Lord, “Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them.”
Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hands they placed the money to be paid to those who did the work, for they acted in good faith.
They said, “You have not exploited us or oppressed us or taken anything at all from a man’s hand.”
The man told Joab, “Even if I were to feel the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hands, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for we all heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘Protect the young man Absalom, for my sake.’
But the man of God said to the king, “Even if you were to give me half your house (wealth), I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.
But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will accept nothing.” He urged him to take it, but Elisha refused.
However, no accounting shall be required of them for the money placed in their hands, because they act faithfully.”
But the former governors who were [in office] before me put heavy burdens on the people and took food and wine from them in addition to forty shekels of silver [as an excessive monthly salary]; even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not do so because of the [reverent] fear of God.
Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.
Business life » Dishonesty » Condemned
But an accurate scale is His delight.
A merchant, in whose hand are false and fraudulent balances;
He loves to oppress and exploit.
“Can I [be guiltless and] justify deceptive scales
And a bag of dishonest weights?
“Like the partridge that hatches eggs which she has not laid,
So is he who makes a fortune in ways that are unjust.
It will be lost to him before his days are over,
And in the end he will be [nothing but] a fool.”
“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
“You shall not have in your bag inaccurate weights, a heavy and a light [so you can cheat others].
Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.
Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who builds his house by [acts of] unrighteousness
And his upper chambers by injustice,
Who uses his neighbor’s service without pay
And does not give him wages [for his work],
Business life » Fidelity » Industry
He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.
So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.
never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord;
Go to the ant, O lazy one;
Observe her ways and be wise,
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].
Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.
Business life » Dishonesty » Unjust gain
“Like the partridge that hatches eggs which she has not laid,
So is he who makes a fortune in ways that are unjust.
It will be lost to him before his days are over,
And in the end he will be [nothing but] a fool.”
Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who builds his house by [acts of] unrighteousness
And his upper chambers by injustice,
Who uses his neighbor’s service without pay
And does not give him wages [for his work],
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.
He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself
Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
“Behold, therefore, I strike My hands [together] at your dishonest gain which you have acquired and at the bloodshed which is among you.
Look! The wages that you have [fraudulently] withheld from the laborers who have mowed your fields are crying out [against you for vengeance]; and the cries of the harvesters have come to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
Business life » Fidelity » Honesty, encouraged
But an accurate scale is His delight.
You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have accurate and just balances, just weights, just ephah and hin measures. I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
You shall have a perfect (full) and just weight, and a perfect and just measure, so that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone.
For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
Business life » Fidelity » Giving of just weights
But an accurate scale is His delight.
“Can I [be guiltless and] justify deceptive scales
And a bag of dishonest weights?
You shall have just and accurate balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].
“You shall not have in your bag inaccurate weights, a heavy and a light [so you can cheat others].
Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.
“You shall have just balances and weights [on your scales and just measures], a just ephah [dry volume measure] and a just bath [liquid measure].
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Trading
besides the taxes from the traders and from the wares of the merchants, and [the tribute money] from all the kings of the Arabs (Bedouins) and the governors of the country.
He broke off the topmost of its young twigs (young King Jehoiachin) and carried it to a land of traders (Babylonia); he set it in a city of merchants (Babylon).
“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
In this way you shall live with us; the country will be open to you; live and do business in it and acquire property and possessions in it.”
Bring your youngest brother to me; then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. Then I will return your [imprisoned] brother [back] to you, and you may trade and do business in the land.’”
“Tarshish [in Spain] was your customer and traded with you because of the abundance of your riches of all kinds; with silver, iron, tin, and lead they paid for your wares.
Business life » Dishonesty » Extortion
So as to deprive the needy of justice
And rob the poor of My people of rightful claims,
So that widows may be their spoil
And that they may plunder the fatherless.
In you they have accepted bribes to shed blood; you have taken [forbidden] interest and [a percentage of] profits, and you have injured your neighbors for gain by oppression and extortion, and you have forgotten Me,” says the Lord God.
Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor
And demand a tribute (food-tax) of grain from them,
Though you have built [luxurious] houses of square stone,
You will not live in them;
You have planted beautiful vineyards, but you will not drink their wine.
And he told them, “Collect no more than the fixed amount you have been ordered to [collect].”
not meaning the immoral people of this world, or the greedy ones and swindlers, or idolaters, for then you would have to get out of the world and human society altogether!
Business life » Dishonesty » Examples of
Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now reign over Israel? Get up, eat food, and let your heart rejoice; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which the servants of Abimelech had [violently] seized [from him],
the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours!” So Isaac named the well Esek (quarreling), because they quarreled with him.
These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for [my share of] your flocks, and you have changed my wages ten times.
Israel has sinned; they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them [to keep]. They have even taken some of the things under the ban, and they have both stolen and denied [the theft]. Moreover, they have also put the stolen objects among their own things.
And he said to his mother, “The eleven hundred pieces of silver which were taken from you, about which you cursed [the thief] and also spoke about in my hearing, behold, the silver is with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son before the Lord.”
Now the five men who had gone to scout the land went up and entered the house and took the image [of silver-plated wood], the ephod, the teraphim, and the cast image [of solid silver], while the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
Business life » Debts » Suretyship, (indorsement), the dangers of
My son, if you have become security for your neighbor, if you have given your pledge for a stranger or another, You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth.
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth their way and keep it straight,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
A man lacking common sense gives a pledge
And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”
Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],
Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.
[The judge tells the creditor,] “Take the garment of one who is surety (guarantees a loan) for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge when he is surety for an immoral woman [for it is unlikely the debt will be repaid].”
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Goods
and he drove away all his livestock and [took along] all his property which he had acquired, the livestock he had obtained and accumulated in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, and also the women, and the people.
The sons of Israel captured the women of Midian and their children; and all their cattle, all their livestock, and all their property they took as spoil [of war].
All those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver, with gold, with goods, with cattle, and with valuable things, in addition to all that was given as a freewill offering.
“They captured fortified cities and a fertile land.
They took possession of houses full of all good things,
Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves,
And
So they ate and were filled and became fat,
And they reveled and were delighted in Your great goodness.
Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
Business life » Employees » Faithful
But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not leave as a free man,’
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
And as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious and favorable toward us.
A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]
And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.
Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
For he refreshes the life of his masters.
He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored.
Business life » Debts » Usury, forbidden
“If you lend money to any one of My people with you who is poor, you shall not act as a creditor (professional moneylender) to him; you shall not charge him interest.
I thought it over and then challenged the nobles and the rulers. I said to them, “You are exacting usury (excessive interest) from your own brother (relative).” So I held a great assembly to confront them.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
Do not charge him usurious interest, but fear your God [with profound reverence], so your countryman may [continue to] live among you.
He does not put out his money at interest [to a fellow Israelite],
And does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
if he does not charge interest or take a percentage of increase [on what he lends in compassion], if he keeps his hand from sin and executes true justice between man and man,
Business life » Business virtues » Diligence
or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.
And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end,
Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin];
So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].
Business life » The credit system » Borrowing
The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and kind and gives.
“And if a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it gets injured or dies while its owner is not with it, the borrower shall make full restitution.
Then he said, “Go, borrow containers from all your neighbors, empty containers—and not just a few.
But it happened that as one was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!”
Business life » Employers » good examples
For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
a devout man and one who, along with all his household, feared God. He made many charitable donations to the Jewish people, and prayed to God always.
If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Now a [Roman] centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death.
Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the [idols and images of] foreign gods that are among you, and ceremonially purify yourselves and change [into fresh] clothes;
Then David returned to bless his household. But [his wife] Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How glorious and distinguished was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself and stripped [off his kingly robes] in the eyes of his servants’ maids like one of the riffraff who shamelessly uncovers himself!”
Business life » Employers » Good
For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
a devout man and one who, along with all his household, feared God. He made many charitable donations to the Jewish people, and prayed to God always.
If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Now a [Roman] centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death.
Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the [idols and images of] foreign gods that are among you, and ceremonially purify yourselves and change [into fresh] clothes;
Then David returned to bless his household. But [his wife] Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How glorious and distinguished was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself and stripped [off his kingly robes] in the eyes of his servants’ maids like one of the riffraff who shamelessly uncovers himself!”
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Merchants
besides the taxes from the traders and from the wares of the merchants, and [the tribute money] from all the kings of the Arabs (Bedouins) and the governors of the country.
Then they sat down to eat their meal. When they looked up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead [east of the Jordan], with their camels bearing ladanum resin [for perfume] and balm and myrrh, going on their way to carry the cargo down to Egypt.
“And merchants of the earth will weep and grieve over her, because no one buys their cargo (goods, merchandise) anymore—
So once or twice the merchants and sellers of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem.
Who has planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns,
Whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth?
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Merchandise
then to those who sold the doves He said, “Take these things away! Stop making My Father’s house a place of commerce!”
cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet; all kinds of citron (scented) wood and every article of ivory and every article of very costly and lavish wood and bronze and iron and marble;
As for the peoples of the land who bring merchandise or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day; and we will give up raising crops during the seventh year [leaving the land uncultivated], and forgive every debt.
Also men of Tyre were living there who brought fish and all kinds of merchandise, and they were selling them to the people of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem.
Business life » Employers » bad examples
But Abram said to Sarai, “Look, your maid is entirely in your hands and subject to your authority; do as you please with her.” So Sarai treated her harshly and humiliated her, and Hagar fled from her.
Yet your father has cheated me [as often as possible] and changed my wages ten times; but God did not allow him to hurt me.
So Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison.
And the Egyptians made the Israelites serve rigorously [forcing them into severe slavery].
David said to him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man from Egypt, a servant of an Amalekite; and my master abandoned me [as useless] when I fell sick three days ago.
Business life » Employers » Bad
But Abram said to Sarai, “Look, your maid is entirely in your hands and subject to your authority; do as you please with her.” So Sarai treated her harshly and humiliated her, and Hagar fled from her.
Yet your father has cheated me [as often as possible] and changed my wages ten times; but God did not allow him to hurt me.
So Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison.
And the Egyptians made the Israelites serve rigorously [forcing them into severe slavery].
David said to him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man from Egypt, a servant of an Amalekite; and my master abandoned me [as useless] when I fell sick three days ago.
Business life » The credit system » Lending encouraged
but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend to him whatever he needs.
It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;
He conducts his affairs with justice.
Business life » Vices found in, » Breach of trust
“When anyone sins and acts unfaithfully against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor (companion, associate) in regard to a deposit or a security entrusted to him, or through robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor,
“Do not gaze at me because I am deeply tanned,
[I have worked in] the sun; it has left its mark on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
They made me keeper of the vineyards,
But my own vineyard (my complexion) I have not kept.”
You also took your beautiful jewels and beautiful vessels made of My gold and My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men so that you could prostitute yourself with them;
Business life » Debts » Pledges » Laws concerning
“For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause,
And stripped men naked.
If you ever take your [poor] neighbor’s robe in pledge, you must return it to him before sunset,
“No one shall take a handmill or an upper millstone [used to grind grain into bread] as security [for a debt], for he would be taking a [person’s] life in pledge.
“They drive away the donkeys of the orphans;
They take the widow’s ox for a pledge.
“They stretch out beside every [pagan] altar on clothes taken in pledge [to secure a loan, disregarding God’s command],
And in the house of their God [in contempt of Him] they frivolously drink the wine [which has been] taken from those who have been fined.
Business life » Contracts » Examples of
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant (binding agreement).
The field and the cave in it were deeded over to Abraham by the Hittites as a [permanent] possession and burial place.
Now formerly in Israel this was the custom concerning redeeming and exchanging. To confirm a transaction, a man pulled off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the way of attesting in Israel. Therefore, when the kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself, he pulled off his sandal.
And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things for which you sent to me; I will do all you wish concerning the cedar and cypress timber. My servants shall bring the logs down from Lebanon to the sea, make them into rafts, and float them by sea to the place that you direct. I will have them released there, and you shall take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by providing food for my household. So Hiram gave Solomon all the cedar and cypress trees he desired, read more.
And Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 measures of wheat for food for his household, and 20 measures of pure, beaten oil. He gave these to Hiram yearly.
And Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 measures of wheat for food for his household, and 20 measures of pure, beaten oil. He gave these to Hiram yearly.
Business life » Dishonesty » Fraud
‘You shall not oppress or exploit your neighbor, nor rob him. You shall not withhold the wages of a hired man overnight until morning.
On the contrary, it is you who wrong and defraud, and you do this even to your brothers and sisters.
Business life » The credit system » Creditors, general references to
“No one shall take a handmill or an upper millstone [used to grind grain into bread] as security [for a debt], for he would be taking a [person’s] life in pledge.
“They drive away the donkeys of the orphans;
They take the widow’s ox for a pledge.
Now one of the wives of a man of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help], saying “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant [reverently] feared the Lord; but the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves [in payment for a loan].”
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Barter
So I bought her for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley [the price of a common slave].
So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year.
Business life » Employers » Duties of » Prompt payment of wages
‘You shall not oppress or exploit your neighbor, nor rob him. You shall not withhold the wages of a hired man overnight until morning.
You shall give him his wages on the day that he earns them before the sun sets—for he is poor and is counting on it—so that he does not cry out to the Lord against you, and it becomes a sin for you.
Business life » Employers » Delaying payment
‘You shall not oppress or exploit your neighbor, nor rob him. You shall not withhold the wages of a hired man overnight until morning.
You shall give him his wages on the day that he earns them before the sun sets—for he is poor and is counting on it—so that he does not cry out to the Lord against you, and it becomes a sin for you.
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Business engagements take precedence with worldly men
Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have prepared my banquet; my bullocks and my fat calves are killed, and everything is prepared; come to the wedding feast. But they were not concerned and paid no attention [they ignored and made light of the summons, treating it with contempt] and they went away -- "one to his farm, another to his business,
But Jesus said to him, A man was once giving a great supper and invited many; And at the hour for the supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for all is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses and to beg off. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and I have to go out and see it; I beg you, have me excused. read more.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine and put my approval on them; I beg you, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine and put my approval on them; I beg you, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come.
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Presumption
Then He told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man was fertile and yielded plentifully. And he considered and debated within himself, What shall I do? I have no place [in which] to gather together my harvest. And he said, I will do this: I will pull down my storehouses and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain or produce and my goods.
Business life » Employers » Failing to pay a living wage
“Then I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, and against those who oppress the laborer in his wages and widows and the fatherless, and against those who turn away the alien [from his right], and those who do not fear Me [with awe-filled reverence],” says the Lord of hosts.
Verse Concepts
Some soldiers asked him, “And what about us, what are we to do?” And he replied to them, “Do not extort money from anyone or harass or blackmail anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Business life » Fidelity » The workmen under hilkiah
To the carpenters and builders to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings and beams for the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed [by neglect]. The men did the work faithfully. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites. The Levites -- "all who were skillful with instruments of music -- "
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Disappointment
So I turned aside and let my heart despair over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Sleeplessness
The sleep of a working man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach (greed) of the rich [who hungers for even more] will not let him sleep.
Business life » Fidelity » Required of stewards
In this case, moreover, it is required [as essential and demanded] of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy.
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
And as the king passed by, the [prophet] cried out to him, Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, Keep this man. If for any reason he is missing, then your life shall be required for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver. But while your servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, Such is your own verdict; you yourself have decided it.
Business life » Debts » Insolvency acknowledged
When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [probably about $10,000,000], And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.
Business life » Duties of » Faithfulness
Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.
Business life » Employers » Exacting service with wages
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who builds his house by [acts of] unrighteousness
And his upper chambers by injustice,
Who uses his neighbor’s service without pay
And does not give him wages [for his work],
Business life » Employers » Just dealing
Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Business life » Contracts » Binding force of
Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way].
Business life » Fidelity » Nehemiah's treasurers
I appointed [as treasurers] over the storehouses: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites; assisting them was Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful and reliable, and their task was to distribute [supplies] to their brothers (fellow Levites).
Business life » Duties of » Respect for masters
All who are under the yoke as bond-servants (slaves) are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor and respect so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] will not be spoken against.
Business life » Duties of » Obedience
Business life » Employers » Refraining from threats
You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one’s earthly status].
Business life » Fidelity » The workmen under jehoiada
Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hands they placed the money to be paid to those who did the work, for they acted in good faith.
Business life » Duties of » Patience in hard places
Business life » Employers » Consideration for employees
If I have despised and rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant when they contended or brought a complaint against me, What then shall I do when God rises up [to judge]? When He visits [to inquire of me], what shall I answer Him?
Business life » Fidelity » Of joseph
So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with Joseph there he did not [need to] pay attention to anything except the food he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome and attractive in form and appearance.
Now Joseph was handsome and attractive in form and appearance.
Business life » Debts » Secured by mortgages
There were others who were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to buy grain because of the famine.”
Business life » Fidelity » of moses
Now Moses was faithful in [the administration of] all God’s house, [but only] as a ministering servant, [his ministry serving] as a testimony of the things which were to be spoken afterward [the revelation to come in Christ];
Business life » Debts » Fraudulent settlement of
So he summoned his master's debtors one by one, and he said to the first, How much do you owe my master? He said, A hundred measures [about 900 gallons] of oil. And he said to him, Take back your written acknowledgement of obligation, and sit down quickly and write fifty [about 450 gallons].
Business life » Debts » Not to be repudiated
Then she came and told the man of God. He said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
Business life » Debts » Obligation to pay
Business life » Business Cares Result in » A restless life
“Surely every man walks around like a shadow [in a charade];
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
Each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them.
Business life » Fidelity » Of daniel
Then the [other two] commissioners and the satraps began trying to find a reason to bring a complaint against Daniel concerning the [administration of the] kingdom; but they could find no reason for an accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was faithful [a man of high moral character and personal integrity], and no negligence or corruption [of any kind] was found in him.
Business life » Duties of » Desire to please
Urge bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back,
Business life » Employers » Fraudulent withholding of wages
Look! The wages that you have [fraudulently] withheld from the laborers who have mowed your fields are crying out [against you for vengeance]; and the cries of the harvesters have come to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
physical Work » Business life » Industry » Examples of
and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them; and they worked together for they were tent-makers.
She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
The man Jeroboam was a brave warrior and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.
This was my situation: by day the heat consumed me and by night the cold, and I could not sleep.
So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
We work [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When we are reviled and verbally abused, we bless. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure.
So we carried on with the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars came out.
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