Review
– Doing Business by the Good Book
52 Lessons on Success Straight
from the Bible |
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by David L. Steward
with Robert L. Shook
Published by Hyperion Books
Review by Tom Gilbert
The Bible has all the key lessons for
good business principles that anyone would ever need.
There are principles like servant leadership, being honest,
being non-judgmental, maintaining integrity, striving
for excellence, adapting to change, having a vision and
much more.
Doing
Business by the Good Book: 52 Lessons on success straight
from the Bible by David L. Steward with Robert
L. Shook (Hyperion books) is the newest entrée
on the business book shelves. It’s not uncommon
to see new books about how to succeed in business. Every
year pundits release the latest “spin” on
management, entrepreneurialism, leadership and the like.
Once in a while there’s some fresh material, but
often it’s rehashed “the same old same old”.
Steward, however, has lots of practical “in the
trenches” experience to back up these lessons. He
uses these principles to guide his own successful business
operations (World Wide Technology), he taught them in
his church, and now he passes on this wisdom to others.
His main focus is on others: customers, employees, family
and community.
The danger with these kinds of books is communicating
a message of success and reward, a “name it and
claim it” philosophy, which has nothing to do with
the true gospel message. Fortunately, that’s not
the case in this book. In fact, over and over in the book
Steward relates some of the hard times and tough lessons
he learned when his faith was tested by trying to grow
his business ventures.
David Steward today is a very successful business owner/operator.
That wasn’t always the case, though, and the best
thing about this book is when he bares his soul about
the hardships he’s faced. Not many people have the
inner fortitude he’s exhibited. It took a few years
to get World Wide Technologies to become profitable. At
one time he was carrying $3.5 million in debt. He was
hounded by the bank, creditors and bill collectors. He
even endured the humiliation of having his car repossessed
from the company parking lot! His faith, perseverance
and biblical promises are the lessons he passes on that
held him steadfast during this time. In the end these
might have the greatest value for readers.
It is a key point that he didn’t just endure the
hardships – he used the talents God has endowed
him with and relied on creativity, risk-taking, prayer
and friends in his dark hours.
Writing a book about how to succeed in business is always
a dicey proposition. In America we expect to hear about
positive attitudes, enthusiasm and perseverance. Every
boss wants a “can do” go-getter. But the danger
in this thinking is what type of foundation these achievers
have. In the end you cannot have a truly successful company
if it’s all measured and determined by how much
you make – what I’d call the “winner
takes all” philosophy.
Here is where Biblical principles, rightly interpreted
(and that requires divine help) and rightly applied, will
create lasting good for everyone. It’s a cliché
to speak of the win-win-win, but if there is not some
benefit for all then vision/mission statements ring hollow.
Good leaders surround themselves with good people. Steward
advises embracing diversity, mentoring workers and looking
for the creativity good people bring to your business.
If you’ve read business building books before you’ll
see this book covers familiar territory. Every successful
entrepreneur must take risks, have a long term vision,
overcome adversity, deal with confrontation, be customer-driven
and rely on teamwork. Steward does address these and other
topics, but with each topic he has a biblical reference
and examples to make his point.
Some new ground that is covered is the need to deal with
rapid change brought about by technology. Steward’s
company, World Wide Technologies, is facing these challenges
everyday. It might become a temptation for anyone working
in such a fast-paced industry to cut corners on principles,
but the author warns against that. In fact, he encourages
all the more attention be paid to the timeless wisdom
of the Bible. And, it needs the attention of the whole
organization. The entire company culture must embrace
change in these fast-paced times.
You can have a business based on Biblical principles without
shoving it down your people’s throats. In fact,
just the opposite should apply – live the principles
and people will be attracted to your company.
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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