The Book of Proverbs Written by Solomon - Research Paper Example

Proverbs for Business Introduction The book of proverbs is a book written by Solomon between 960 and 922 BC. This book contains provisions on the management sales and work that are very remarkable considering the time that the book was written. The outstanding feature that one could realize on this book is that the principles being propagated in the book of proverbs have trickled down the in the ideologies of the modern day business writers (Marr, 2001). Personalities like Tracy Rohn and Canfield are some of the modern day writer who could find the principles of Solomon’s proverbs in their work. Besides, the Bible has for generation been awarded the characteristic of being a holy book, which was written by people inspired by God. In the Bible, Solomon considerably is the wisest man alive. This being considered, it is only logical that the principles he articulates in the book about business are fundamental to any person who undertakes business ventures. In the book of proverbs, there are elements about business that touches on the various ideologies. These elements are such as money, how to conduct oneself in business and trade, the offering and accepting of bribes and the view of work. Solomon has denoted each of this work as being vital for one to experience success in business and has to be taken under keen consideration at all times. Apart from these elements, there are more principles that all are based on the ethics that any businessperson should consider when dealing with fellow businesspersons and customers. Money Money is the item that one exchanges for the benefit that could be a service or good. This element is vital in trade as it considerably determines what amount of services one gets or how many goods one could successfully purchase. In the book of proverbs, there are several ideologies from the verses about money according to Solomon. In the book of proverbs (17:16), Solomon articulates that money can be good and there are ways it could be a source of problems. Under this statement, Solomon has a vital point that comes across to any person that could want to establish business to earn some money. Money has the ability to end people’s problems in the sense that, using money, one could acquire whatever commodity he feels he is in need of, thus ending the sense of yearning for it. From the same statement, he denotes that money could also be the source of problems, shows that, money could land the same person who enjoys its benefits of it in trouble. The same verse in proverbs goes further stating that it is only when one is wise about money that there could be a difference. This verse could be determined to be a caution to people who might not be familiar with the bad feature that money entails. One then has to approach the need to acquire money with caution as to ensure that whatever ways he gets it is by proper means that will not land him in trouble. In verse (13:11) of proverbs, Solomon states that ‘the money acquires dishonestly dwindles away but money which is gathered little by little grows’. This statement is surrounded on providing the ethical principles that one should consider in the line of business. A situation where one might bring upon himself riches by engaging in bad business venture such as swindling fellow businessperson as to acquire more wealth in a short span of time. This might end up getting him the wealth he requires but the consequence he is set to face might be very drastic (Zigarelli, 2008). He might get in trouble with the law if he is caught and as a result cost him all of his business investment. On the other hand a business that is run under good quality feature where the owner saves the little money he gets as profits and the uses it to lift his business will eventually see his business grow. This then teaches that any business should ensure that it is operational within the fringes of the law and based on how much effort being put in the business, the determination of how far the growth will be experienced. How to conduct oneself in business and trade In the book of proverbs, there are elements that Solomon raises as provisions and guidelines that act as directives on how a businessperson should go about in the course of his subsisting business. In proverbs (22:1), a provision articulates that ‘a good name is better than all the riches and one who is esteemed is better off than the person who has silver or gold’. This verse generally states the importance of creating friendship with fellow businessperson as a priority before considering getting wealthy. One should always foster good relationship with fellow businesspeople, as it is through these people that one’s business could grow (Weiss, 2001). Creating a good business environment by understanding the needs of the people and being a considerate person in the business one is undertaking, ensures good relationship that then reciprocates in business growth. Looking at this ideology from a different angle, a businessperson who is primarily concerned with the price of his product due to his need to make more money is more likely to fail the business. A good relationship with the customers ensures that the customer appreciates the services being offered by a businessperson and will be back another day for the similar services (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). In proverbs (20:13) there is a provision, which articulates that ‘one who loves sleep will end up in poverty but the person who has his eyes open will have plenty to eat’. This verse is very important to the businesspersons as it is a motivational verse. The verse then is meant to signify that for someone to run a good business that ensures that there are results he expects he should be on the front towards ensuring that his business is operational in whatever way expected. This verse also discourages against laziness on businesspersons. A person may choose to conduct his business in a way that he does not ensure that he replenishes his stock thus harming his business. For any business to run properly, the owner has to ensure that he keeps up with the needs of the customer as to eliminate competitiveness from the fellow businesspersons. Business is a sector known to be competitive and all the businesspersons are in the run to make as much profits as they can to ensure that their businesses grows to a higher scale. In line with the last stated verse another verse in proverbs (20:4), states that those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at all at harvest. This stipulates that a businessperson should ensure that he has knowledge of which is the best time to venture in a certain a business ideology that will enable his business grow. Undertaking certain actions as knowing which products or services are required, a certain time ensures that the businessperson is in the right track. Offering and accepting of bribes In proverbs chapter (23:5), states that cast but a glance at riches and they are gone for they surely sprout out wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. This verse could be taken as that which requires people undertaking business tasks to be cautions in the actions they choose. Another person as might offer one in business to undertake a certain task of engaging in something illegal should remember that money comes and goes. He might choose to take the bribe but eventually when he is caught and his name is tarnished, as a businessperson the money will have gone and the bad name will remain and linger for a very long time (Chryssides & Kaler, 1993). In proverbs (10:2) stipulates that, ill-gotten treasures are of no value but righteousness delivers from death. If one chooses to bribe his way to get something done for him or her, whatever he or she end up with can be of great value, as it was not acquired in a proper way. In the other hand, if one was to acquire the same thing righteously he stands a greater chance of having the thing or commodity help hi compared to the person who acquired it by unjustifiable means. Under proverbs (22:1) there are also provisions under bribery, this verse denotes that a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. This verse also shows the importance of having a good name first before choosing to have the wealth one requires. One should ensure that he puts first proper consideration on what harm may befall his name as a businessperson before choosing to partake vices such as bribery. View of work There are plenty of provisions on how people should consider the benefits of work and consequences of failing to work. In proverbs (27:1), articulates that we never know what might happen tomorrow. This verse considerably puts in consideration that people should ensure that they engage in working to secure the future. In the future there might be hunger, if the person manages to store enough food that he acquired from the work he did, he is better off. This compared to a person who lazes about not considering what problems could befall him in the future. Thus, one should be in the front, working as much as he can to ensure that no matter how much problem comes forth, he is safe. In proverbs (16:3), states that, ‘because then our efforts are more likely to succeed’. This verse encourages people to work as that, the more one puts in effort venturing in work, he is more likely to succeed. The verse was meant to impact on people who have low self-esteem and always deem their ventures towards work as being unfruitful. This then stipulates that the more one get to put an effort towards the same work, at some point he or she will realize success. In proverbs (24:10), states that if you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. This verse encourages people in understanding that pressure is an element that will always be there as long as one works, to be able to deal with pressure one should ensure that he maintains and gather strength to see him through with the work. Conclusion Judging on the elements that Solomon stipulates in the books of proverbs, everything in the business world has to be justified in order for it to be successful. The modern laws of business borrow a great deal of ideologies on how a proper business should run, it is then upon businesspersons to ensure, they attain the fundamental qualities required. This is because the rules of running a good business has never changed from the time business ventures were initiated from the past and should be upheld for the future purposes. References Chryssides, G. D., & Kaler, J. H. (1993). An introduction to business ethics. London: Chapman & Hall. Marr, S. (2001). Business proverbs: Daily wisdom for the workplace. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell. Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2011). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. New York: John Wiley. Weiss, J. W. (2009). Business ethics: A stakeholders and issues management approach. Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning. Zigarelli, M. A. (2008). Management by Proverbs: Scriptural wisdom for superior results. Longwood, Fla.: Xulon Press. Read More