I have found IBEC Board member and businessperson, Dave Kier, to have extraordinary wisdom in life and business. Perhaps the following thoughts written by Dave a couple of months ago tells why.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com
Do you folks in business have favorite verses? There were Proverbs I kept a list of. Such as: 24:5 “A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge has power”. Living in a time when few are deep thinkers, taking time to obtain deep knowledge of our company, our industry, our customer, our customer’s customers, our staff, etc. was advantageous. Special time was devoted to understanding the will of the Author of life. But then there was 14:12 which said, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but it’s end is death”. When making big decisions, this verse reminded me that I had better make sure I was pursuing the Lord’s will. I often asked myself, “Is that truly a door of opportunity the Lord opened?” If so, then I wasted no time going through it. Otherwise, if it wasn’t the Lord’s will, then it was merely a temptation to avoid.
I liked to have wise counsel so early on, I sought out the best legal advice, accounting and financial advice, and advice on leadership. I sought out the best nutritionists in the industry, etc. Many other small businesses said they couldn’t afford such counselors. I said I couldn’t afford not to have them. We grew, they didn’t. 11:14 “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in the abundance of counselors there is victory.”
I don’t know about other industries, but it seemed to me as producers became larger, they cared less and less about the financial wellbeing of their suppliers. It seemed the game was to eat their suppliers’ margins. Our margins hadn’t gone up in two decades, except for fuel adjustments on freight. To me it was not wise, because I knew that as that mindset permeated the industry, they will in turn be consumed. Solomon said 11:25 “The generous man will be prosperous and he who waters will himself be watered.”. Rather than beating our supplier’s margins down, we asked how we could be a better customer of theirs. We asked what we could do to deserve a better rate by helping improve their efficiencies. My dad believed, as did I, that our money wasn’t ours. God enabled us to generate earnings, so we supported several missionaries through the business, and we gave back to our community.
Then, the verse we had at the center of our value chart which is called the “Golden Rule” that underpinned the Proverbs. Matthew 7:12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” If everyone would simply follow this rule, this law of God, business and all of life would be much different. Those were and are just a few of my business and life verses. What are yours?
“Lord, Your word is truly invaluable. Your word is truly a light for our path through life. Thank You for giving us Your words of wisdom. Until we meet You in glory, we will request that You continually open our hearts and minds to receive more wisdom for living in this world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen”.