By Drew Crandall
Ecclesiastes 7:1a (KJV): A good name is better than precious ointment…
Commentary: Today, Recently I participated in an all-day Board of Directors Retreat organized by the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut. It’s the second-largest business organization in the State, with about 5,400 business locations. My business has been accredited with the BBB since January of 1989. By God’s grace, I’ve served on the BBB Board for many terms, and am currently in my second and final year as Chairman of the Board.
Preparing for this retreat got me thinking about the word “better,” which appears 127 times in the Bible. I asked myself, “What passages containing the word ‘better’ seem to be particularly relevant to the workplace?” Here are some of the Scriptures that I found:
1 Samuel 15:22, …to obey is better than sacrifice. Psalm 37:16, A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of the wicked. Psalm 118:8, It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men. Proverbs 8:11, …for wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 15:16, Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15:17, Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs 16:16, How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. Proverbs 16:19, Better it is to be of humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoils with the proud. Proverbs 16:32, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty. Ecclesiastes 3:22, Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works… Ecclesiastes 4:6, Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full of travail and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:5, It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Philippians 2:3, Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 1 Peter 3:7, For it is better if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil doing.
APPLICATION: Based on these passages, I would suggest that a “better” employer or employee from a Judeo-Christian perspective exhibits these characteristics:
* Values obedience to the Word and the Spirit * Pursues and cherishes integrity. * Trusts in God through thick and thin. * Seek s to receive and apply wisdom. * Is content with little vs. coveting wealth. * Is loving and avoids hatred. * Is humble and avoids pride. * Is slow to anger and avoids tantrums. * Enjoys his or her work. * Works in quietness and tranquility of soul. * Handles correction well and learns from it. * Has a servant spirit and avoids selfishness. * Is willing to suffer for doing what’s right.
Do you see these “better business” attributes in yourself at work? Can you see how much better the business world would be if more employers and employees had these attributes? Let it begin with you and me!
Are You Better?
Ecclesiastes 7:1a (KJV): A good name is better than precious ointment…
Commentary: Today, Recently I participated in an all-day Board of Directors Retreat organized by the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut. It’s the second-largest business organization in the State, with about 5,400 business locations. My business has been accredited with the BBB since January of 1989. By God’s grace, I’ve served on the BBB Board for many terms, and am currently in my second and final year as Chairman of the Board.
Preparing for this retreat got me thinking about the word “better,” which appears 127 times in the Bible. I asked myself, “What passages containing the word ‘better’ seem to be particularly relevant to the workplace?” Here are some of the Scriptures that I found:
1 Samuel 15:22, …to obey is better than sacrifice. Psalm 37:16, A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of the wicked. Psalm 118:8, It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men. Proverbs 8:11, …for wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 15:16, Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15:17, Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs 16:16, How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. Proverbs 16:19, Better it is to be of humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoils with the proud. Proverbs 16:32, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty. Ecclesiastes 3:22, Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works… Ecclesiastes 4:6, Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full of travail and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:5, It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Philippians 2:3, Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 1 Peter 3:7, For it is better if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil doing.
APPLICATION: Based on these passages, I would suggest that a “better” employer or employee from a Judeo-Christian perspective exhibits these characteristics:
* Values obedience to the Word and the Spirit * Pursues and cherishes integrity. * Trusts in God through thick and thin. * Seek s to receive and apply wisdom. * Is content with little vs. coveting wealth. * Is loving and avoids hatred. * Is humble and avoids pride. * Is slow to anger and avoids tantrums. * Enjoys his or her work. * Works in quietness and tranquility of soul. * Handles correction well and learns from it. * Has a servant spirit and avoids selfishness. * Is willing to suffer for doing what’s right.
Do you see these “better business” attributes in yourself at work? Can you see how much better the business world would be if more employers and employees had these attributes? Let it begin with you and me!