At the top of each year, I pull together my favorite bible verses to encourage you along your entrepreneurial journey. Running your small business is a spiritual journey as much as a road trip to business success. Along the road, you will be tested, stretched and stressed and these words from the bible will give you needed encouragement.
This is my fourth year of writing bible verses every small business owner needs, and I wanted the bible verses that so many of you have shared with me in the comments section of this blog over the last few years. You all have inspired me.
My bible verse theme for the year is Jeremiah 29:11-13, so many of you shared this verse and when I read it I felt so encouraged. Many of us who run a business can feel like a one-armed wallpaper hanger at times and it’s easy to become too busy or tired and forget to pray. This verse keeps me grounded, and I hope it does the same for you. Here are 13 bible verses every small business owner needs for 2013.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” In order to have a successful business, you must trust in the Lord. God’s will is what is best for us. There will be times when you do not understand why things are happening in your business, but God is always trying to teach us and protect us.
Romans 8:18 (NIV) “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” One of the things my father used to say to me growing up was, “You wouldn’t know good days, if it weren’t for bad days. So you need to thank God for bad days too.” Often in business when we don’t close a sale or get a contract that we invested a lot of time in, we take it personally. Start thinking about things in your business differently. When you don’t get a contract, it’s because it wasn’t meant for you. In some cases, God might have been protecting you from a nightmare client.
Exodus 35:35 (NIV) He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. God has given all of us talents that we can sell, but that doesn’t mean you should start a business. Make yourself a student of business, first. Make sure there’s a paying client for your product or service. Develop your business and leadership skills so that you can turn your talent into a real business.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Always remember who you are and who you are in Christ. We are not defined by our bank accounts or by how many plaques are on the wall. Never hesitate to share your testimony with others about what the Lord has done for you in business. God wants us to be fine examples of his light and love.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. The most important thing you can do for your business is pray daily. Start each day in meditation and prayer and you will stay calm as the day’s struggles come upon you. Read words from the bible to stay encouraged and balanced.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Whenever you have doubt, go to the Lord in prayer and wait on God to give you the answer. Remember that he speaks to us through visions and dreams, and sometimes he will send people who will speak his words to you.
Isaiah 45:3 (NIV) I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. There is no such thing as luck, only blessings sent from God. When unexplainable things happen, do not be fooled that you did anything to make them happen. Always remember that God has already prepared a place for you to succeed and to learn.
Titus 3:14 (NIV) Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. God helps those who help themselves. If you do nothing, nothing will happen. Focus your activities each day on trying to accomplish 5 things before 11a.m. daily. You will feel less stress and get a lot more done each day.
Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV) Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. There will be times in your life when no one will think that you are going in the right direction with your business. But no one can stop God’s anointing. If he gave you the idea for your business, he will bless it. Stay faithful and focused. When you think you have no more to give, give some more and you will be rewarded.
Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIV) Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. You do not need to wait until you are rich and super successful to help others. You should help others now as you are building your business. Now, that does not mean you should go hungry to help others, but do not be afraid to enlarge your tent to partner with “so called” competitors. There really is enough business for everyone.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. No matter what you do, God loves you. He will forgive you. He believes in second chances and hundreds more, if you need them. Be quick to forgive and pray for a forgiving spirit. How would your life change if you loved unconditionally?
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. Be thankful that you know God for all of his goodness. God wants us to be fine examples of his light and love.
Deuteronomy 30:16 (NIV) For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Walk in God’s ways and he will bless your business ventures.
I want you all to know that I write these verses for myself, as much as I hope to inspire you. Examine which of these verses speaks most clearly to your heart. I pray that you will be healed by God’s powerful holy word. God Bless you in 2013.
Please share your favorite bible verse and tell me what it means to you.
This verse was what i needed this morning.
Titus 3:14 (NIV) Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Thank you
So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9
We need be mindful of why we are in business and remember in due season if we prevail God will bless our efforts. Stay focused.
What you write is all what i want to be a progressive Godly business person. God forsure is pre-eminent in every aspect of our life. Out of His love we do nothing. James 4:13-15. I am greatly blessed by how you intertwine the Word of God and business. You are one of the rarest assets the world needs. May God add you more inspiration and life. Love you so much.
Great list, and I really appreciate your insight on the verses! I have bookmarked this page… maybe I should just print it out and put it in my frequent reference binder!
Here is one Bible passage that I have been blessed by lately:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:14,15
Whatever God calls us to do in life or in business, He has ordained that we should shine for Him. His glory is to be seen in us. If we commit our lives to him daily and moment by moment, He will see to it: A city that is set on a hill *cannot* be hid!
I am praying this year for humble courage and for focus.
Thank you, Melinda. May God bless you.
~Sheila 🙂
Thanks Melinda,
That was refreshing to read and inspiring. May God continue to bless you in 2013
Hi Melinda…..thank you for sharing these verses, your insight and your faith in God. May He richly bless the work of your hands as you incorporate the principles of His Kingdom into your business and your life, and may He give you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him…..Shalom!….Kim
This verse is inspiratinal to me. Joshua 1:8 which says keep this book of law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you may be carefuly to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Thank you Malinda in making me to remember through this verse that success and prosperity lies in the fact that one needs to keep the book of law always in ones lips.
The Bible verses are a blessing.
However, the comment following Titus 3:14 is UNBIBLICAL. It is NOT true that God helps those who help themselves. In fact I may go as far as saying it is blasphemous of you to make such a comment.
We were unable to help ourselves but for God’s intervention. If we were to help ourselves first before God came to help then Christ would not have come to save us. Please read your Bible carefully. Start with ROMANS 5:6 – 16.
Am I misinterpreting what you’re saying? Are you saying we don’t have free will? Of course God flows through us but is there not a difference between the person who chooses to put that into action and say, the entitled person who ignores it and believes they deserve everything with no action? Like I said, I may be misinterpreting what you said but I don’t see where the original comment was bad.
Truly. enriching All verses are a guiding factor. Many thanks
Joshua 1:8 says it all! dear melinda, tnx a lot 4dis piece. It has gra8ly inspired n encouraged me. May God continually strengthen n empower u 2 touch n beta more lives in Christ name. Amen.
My favorite verse: Proverbs: 3:5-6 reads,
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thou own understanding. In all thou ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thou paths.
This is my favorite passage in the bible because I know the Holy Spirit will lead and guide my steps in every aspect of life. I must release my agenda and pick up God’s agenda. Trust the creator who made heaven and earth in six days. He is my heavenly father and he knows what is best for me. He knew me when I was in my mother’s womb. Let go and let God have his way.
Jeremiah 26:13 (NIV) ‘Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.’
This tell us that even though the Lord God Almighty has pronounced death sentence against us, whenever we turn from our sins and transgression and whole heartedly ask for forgiveness, He is always able and willing to forgive Us. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:28 “and we know He makes all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
I stood on that word, among others, at my lowest point and today my business is a testimony of it’s truth.
Thanks for compiling such a great list. I’m glad I came across your site.
I’m encouraged!
I am richly blessed by all d bible verses!thanks.
I have been working off and on….on a business/business ideas, for nine years. It’s really been more of a hobby than a full-time business and Ive always had to work full time at something else to make ends meet and pay the bills.
I just placed an order for your book and hope that it will help me to move from part-time to full-time. In my own real business. Thank you for the Scriptures. I seek to have my business based on the word of God and seek God’s direction and favor on the work of my hands. Thank you again.
indeed when we commit our ways to him we will be established. The bible says we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Indeed we are in a warfare. thats why when you start a b usiness it must be in the hands of jesus or else it wnt go anywhere. it can only continue if you are in Christ or if you are in the world, you always have to pay to the kingdom of darkness by serving him. Those nt in Christ do not have the peace that Jesus gives. it will be a lie. thanks for the verses.
Thanks for sharing this.
Very encouraging.
Titus 3:14, was the verse God used for me through you, remain blessed.
Hi, This article is really helpful. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. God will surely bless you abundantly because you have blessed others.
I truly believe God lead me to your site! I believe this is what I prayed for! May God bless you on teaching the truth! Dh
He who focuses on the Lord will be prosperous…. he who loses focus on the Lord will be in his own imagination and will manifest his fears
Wow! I was blown away with encouragement.
I never knew this existed. I feel so blessed to have been led to this site.
Thank you.