Valuable Skills for Entrepreneurs Taught in the Bible
This is the second in a series of a study of the proverbs. This study will help us to learn how to succeed in different areas of life, so that we can better serve our cities. Other articles in this series:
This study is an overview of what the proverbs say about skills as an entrepreneur. It’s amazing how one book of the bible can give us so much insight into running businesses.
Use this knowledge to better serve your employees, your network connections, and your city.
Decision-Making
Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5–6A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15
Discipline
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs 13:18All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.
Proverbs 12:24Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Proverbs 20:13Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path.
Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 23:19–21
Conversation
A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
Proverbs 12:23He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 17:27A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinion.
Proverbs 18:2Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28
Networking
A righteous man is cautious in friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26He who puts up security for another will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
Proverbs 11:15A man finds joy in giving an apt reply –
and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,
and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
Proverbs 18:19It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider his vows.
Proverbs 20:25A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
do not crave his delicacies;
for he is the kind of man
who is always thinking about the cost.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.
Proverbs 23:6–8Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house –
too much of you, and he will hate you.
Proverbs 25:16–17
Ethics
A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
Proverbs 11:17A righteous man cares for [even] for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10The Lord abhors dishonest scales,
but accurate weights are his delight.
Proverbs 11:1Humility and fear of the Lord
bring wealth and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8–9
Generosity
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 14:31
Investing
Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Proverbs 13:11The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5He who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
Proverbs 21:17He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
Proverbs 28:8A faithful man will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:20
Competition
Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,
or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.
Proverbs 24:17–18Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
Proverbs 27:3Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.
Proverbs 27:2Fear of man will prove to be a snare
but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25If you have played the fool and exalted yourself,
or if you have planned evil,
clap your hand over your mouth!
For as churning the milk produces butter,
and as twisting the nose produces blood,
so stirring up anger produces strife.
Proverbs 30:32–33When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7
Leadership
For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.
Proverbs 11:14He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.
Proverbs 13:13Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.
Proverbs 16:13A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
Proverbs 14:17Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
Proverbs 19:25The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.
Proverbs 21:31If you falter in times of trouble,
how small is your strength!
Proverbs 24:10Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;
for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk
to feed you and your family
and to nourish your servant girls.
Proverbs 27:23–27
Originally published at The Borough.
