Faith vs. Fortune: The Tense Dance of Discernment in the Dog-Eat-Dog World of Business

Hello and welcome to Tech Almighty, exploring the fusion of God, technology and business, the show where faith meets innovation. I'm Al Ware, your host. Today's topic Faith vs Fortune the tense dance of discernment in the dog eat dog world of business. Join me as we navigate the complex interplay between Christian values and the cutthroat realities of the business world. Back in my early entrepreneur days, I owned a medical sales company. My company focused on selling implants and products for lower extremity bone fractures.

I quickly learned success in the medical sales was all about building strong relationships. Most of my doctor clients and I had a common love for intense workouts and outdoor adventures. Our shared passion was my key to building trust and respect with them. There is one memory that haunts me till this day, which was my love and excitement for success, which caused me to lose sight of my ethical boundaries. I have to be honest, it feels good when you are one of the top salesmen in your area, and when you are on top, you have moments where you feel invincible. That feeling of success usually leads people willing to do anything to remain at the top.

With that said, I was negotiating a deal with a new group of doctors who didn't share any of the same ethics, values and hobbies as myself or my other doctor clients. These were the types of guys that lived a very fast life and wanted to party 24-7, which I was never into. I ended up closing a major deal with them and to support a new business relationship, I gave in to them, begging me to party with them at a club they had reserved at VIP section 4. It was wild, and they had this private area set up for activities that went against everything I believed in. I remember standing there looking at a table filled with all sorts of illegal substances. At that very moment I felt like I had to make a decision to either fit in or walk away. I felt so out of place. My soul jumped out of my body. I politely excused myself and left the club so fast, with a mixture of anxiety and disappointment in myself. That was my wake-up call, which Matthew 624 says no one can serve two masters.

That night I prayed so hard, promising God that I will always stay true to my principles. Looking back at that night, I knew it was a major red flag, but I chose to overlook it due to the significant financial gain. This reminds me of a verse from Proverbs 14-12. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. I was so focused on the success that I lost track of my moral compass and, as you might expect to deal with those, doctors fill apart within a few weeks. That entire experience was a real eye-opener for me, teaching me the importance of who you do business with and staying true to your own principles no matter what. Besides learning how to stay true to my principles, I had to relearn what true success really meant in the eyes of God and how to transition from putting financial gain first to understanding the invaluable worth of integrity.

There are moments in my career where the line between right and wrong was blurred due to some of my client's winning favorites that were not ethical. The temptation to choose good or bad was always there, and some of my clients tried to put me in a tough situation to overlook a few details, while threatening to drop me as their provider, which compromised my integrity and ethics. This reminds me of a powerful verse from James 1-5. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it would be given to you. During those challenging times, I prayed for wisdom and the ability to discern and stand by my values. Let me make this clear never allow others to pressure you into betraying your own principles. Reading Proverbs 3-5-6 was the moment I truly started to trust in God's guidance over my own understanding. It says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, and all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your path straight. This verse was a game changer for me. It taught me the power of seeking wisdom from God rather than just relying on what I know. As I began to put my integrity first, I saw my business perspective shift. I was making decisions that were good in the eyes of God. This shift reminded me of Matthew 6.33. But seek his kingdom first and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. This first reassured me that by putting God first, everything else will fall into place, including business success.

Having faith in God in the business world doesn't mean you won't face challenges. It simply means you're not facing them alone. Turning to God for guidance brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment unmatched by any worldly success. Philippians 4.13,. I can do all things through him who gives me strength. That became my mantra, reminding me that with God's strength, I can tackle any business challenge with integrity and wisdom. Incorporating faith into my business transformed the way I lived. It made me more conscious of the impact of my actions, not just in my business but in the world around me. Psalms 37.23-24 says the Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Through he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. This promise gave me the confidence to walk the path of integrity as a follower of Christ, knowing that even in the moments of doubt or failure, I was supported by God.

Now, when it comes to business partners, how do you know their values resonate with your own? The Bible speaks directly to this in 2 Corinthians 6.14. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers, for what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? This scripture emphasizes the importance of associating with people who not only share your business goals, but also your ethical and moral standards. Aligning with partners who reflect our values bring a sense of security and trust. It helps mitigate conflicts, create a positive work environment and, most importantly, enables us to remain true to ourselves and our faith. We are building a business culture where respect, integrity and honesty are the foundation of every interaction and decision.

Beyond the professional skills and profit gains, it is important to dive into the character and ethics of our potential partners. In Philippians 2-3-4, do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves. Not look into your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. This teaches us to seek partners who prioritize collective well-being over individual gains. Assessing the honesty, respectfulness and ethical practices of those we choose to do business with is important. These qualities are reflective of the principles we uphold. As Psalms 15-2-3 says, the one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart, whose tongue others no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor and cast no slur on others. These verses guide us to choose partners who live out these values in their profession.

Choosing the right business partners is more than a strategic decision. It's a reflection of our values and beliefs as Christian entrepreneurs. It's imperative to align our business practices with our faith. Now let's look at some statistics and data to help put everything in perspective. A significant portion of entrepreneurs reported that their faith directly impacts their business practices. According to a Baylor University study, more than 70% of survey business owners indicated that their faith influences their business decisions to some extent. This encompasses aspects like ethical business practices, employee treatment and community engagement. A survey by the International Business Ethics Institute revealed that nearly 85% of business executives believe personal values and ethics guide their leadership practices, underscoring their pervasive impact of personal belief systems in business decision making. A study published in the Journal of Business Ethics found that leaders who incorporate their faith into their management style often create a culture of trust, ethical behavior and mutual respect. According to the Society of Human Resource Management, companies with leaders who demonstrate strong ethical values and integrity report higher employee engagement and satisfaction levels. A Harvard Business Review study highlighted that organizations led by value-driven entrepreneurs tend to have a better adaptability and resilience in challenging times. These companies often demonstrated a strong commitment to their core values, which guides them through crisis and helps maintain stakeholder trust. Beyond internal company dynamics, faith-influenced business practice also have external impacts. For instance, companies with faith-driven leaderships are more likely to engage in community and social welfare activities, as per a report by the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School. A Nielsen Global Corporate Sustainability Report indicates that 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for products from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact, a principle often aligned with faith-based values.

Always remember our faith is not a garment to be worn on Sundays and tucked away for the rest of the week.

It's a daily guide in every aspect of our lives, especially in the world of business. As we navigate the complexities of the business world, it's the wisdom of God that should be our North Star. James 1-5 reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. It's this wisdom that empowers us to make decisions that not only advance our professional goals but also honor our spiritual convictions. So, as we part ways today, let's carry with us the lessons and reflections shared. Let our faith be the lens through which we view every opportunity, every challenge and every decision. With God's wisdom as our guide, we can confidently move forward, knowing that our choices are aligned with both our values and His teachings. Thank you for tuning in to Tech Almighty. I'm Al Ware and it's been a blessing to discuss this critical aspect of faith versus fortune in the cutthroat word of business. Join me next time for more insights where technology, business and Christianity converge. Until then, keep striving for excellence in all you do, guided by faith.