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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