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Biblical Principles of Business
from Nehemiah
(abridged version)
With the Persian monarchy flourishing and Greece and Rome
beginning to play noticeable parts on the world stage, the nation of Israel was
in a sad state. With the majority of
its citizenry in captivity, the city of Jerusalem was in complete ruin. Into this scene came Nehemiah son of
Hachaliah, cup bearer to Artaxerxes, sovereign King of Persia. Life was going
well for Nehemiah. He worked in a position of trust for the king of the
mightiest country in the then known world.
And then one day, everything changed. Hanani and certain men
of Judah came to discuss the state of Jerusalem with Nehemiah. Giving the cold, bare facts, they informed
him, “The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in
great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and
the gates thereof are burned with fire.”
(Neh. 1:3) That discussion
changed Nehemiah’s life. The plight of
God’s people and his own countrymen burdened him greatly. Nehemiah wrote, “when I heard these words,
that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed
before the God of heaven.” (Neh. 1:4)
1. HUMBLY SEEK GOD
Humbly seek God first—it will make the rest of the project
go much more smoothly.
2. INVOLVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Likely none of us will ever have as challenging of a task as
approaching the mightiest king in the known world on behalf of a people in
captivity. However, it is important to
work within the framework of the authority that we have.
3. PLAN AHEAD
Nehemiah’s foresight allowed the work to proceed smoothly
when it easily could have been plagued with logistical obstacles.
4. ASSESS THE SITUATION
While most of us will likely never have to ride around a
broken-down wall in the middle of the night to get an accurate assessment of
the challenges facing us, surveying the situation to get an accurate assessment
is just as essential to us as it was to Nehemiah.
5. START WORKING
As has been noted throughout history, “ideas don’t work
until you do.” Ultimately, eventually you have to “just do it!” as the Nike
slogan says.
6. EXPECT DIFFICULTIES
Difficulties will plague any project; overcoming them is
character.
7. ASSIGN MANAGEABLE TASKS
According records from the U.S. Small Business
Administration, roughly 50% of businesses survive past the five-year mark. The Small
Business Administration notes, “Success in business is never automatic…It
depends primarily on the owner's foresight and organization.”
8. ANTICIPATE CRITICS
Persevere despite what people say—you never fail until you
quit.
9. MOTIVATE PEOPLE
After assessing the difficulties and finding creative ways
to solve them, Nehemiah rallied the people. His approach worked and so did the
people.
10. PRIORITIZE PEOPLE
People work harder if they feel like they are a part of the
team.
11. MODEL OUTSTANDING BEHAVIOR
Personal integrity is one of the top qualities for a
business executive to have because without it, everything else ultimately will
fail.
12. REFUSE TO BE DISTRACTED
Whether you are a student, soldier, or supervisor, it is
easy to get distracted. Distraction, however, can be fatal.
13. FINISH THE TASK
Unfortunately, starting does not count nearly so much as
finishing does.
14. LOOK BACK
While it can be a headache to do, taking copious notes and
leaving detailed records is imperative to improvement.
15. REST NOT
Having completed the task, do not be content to rest on your
laurels.
In conclusion, God gives us principles of successful
business. It is up to us to follow
them. Nehemiah did and posterity
reveres his achievements.
God’s methods work—both in business and in life.
“Seest thou a man
diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand
before mean men.” (Pv. 22:29) | 
