The Bible has a lot to say about business, work, money and how we should conduct ourselves in the marketplace. Here are some key Bible verses about business from the English Standard Version (ESV):
Honesty and Integrity
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1 ESV)
“Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” (Proverbs 20:10 ESV)
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” (Leviticus 19:11 ESV)
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25 ESV)
These verses emphasize the importance of honesty, integrity and fairness in business dealings. God cares deeply about truthfulness and just transactions.
Diligence and Hard Work
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (Proverbs 12:11 ESV)
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” (Proverbs 22:29 ESV)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV)
God values hard work, skill and diligence. Those who apply themselves to their work with excellence will be rewarded.
Generosity and Giving
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9 ESV)
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV)
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18 ESV)
As we earn money, we must be careful to use it generously for God’s glory and the good of others, not merely hoard it for ourselves.
God’s Provision
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV)
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31, 33 ESV)
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)
Rather than being anxious, we can trust God to provide for our needs as we seek His kingdom.
Avoiding Greed and Covetousness
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15 ESV)
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV)
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
The relentless pursuit of wealth and possessions can lead us into greed, discontentment and evil. Our security is found in God, not riches.
Fair Treatment of Employees
“Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1 ESV)
“Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” (James 5:4 ESV)
“You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns.” (Deuteronomy 24:14 ESV)
Employers have a duty to deal fairly and justly with employees by paying fair wages and not defrauding or taking advantage of them.
Serving Customers
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” (Proverbs 18:13 ESV)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)
We should seek to serve customers with humility, integrity and excellence, putting their interests before our own ambitions and profits.
Lending and Borrowing
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42 ESV)
“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” (Psalm 37:21 ESV)
“And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” (Luke 6:34-35 ESV)
As people in business we should be generous in lending to help others, even if there is risk of not being paid back. But we must also be responsible about paying back our own debts.
Investing and Saving
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” (Proverbs 21:20 ESV)
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise…she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6, 8 ESV)
Wise financial stewardship involves saving, investing and planning for the future rather than wastefully consuming all we have on present pleasures.
Business Partnerships
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:11-13 ESV)
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV)
Good business partnerships require mutual effort, patience, support and care for one another. Working together produces better fruit than working alone.
Stewardship and Accountability
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48 ESV)
“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12 ESV)
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV)
We are all stewards of the resources God has given us and will give account for how we managed them. This includes accounting for business finances with integrity.
Business Ethics
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9 ESV)
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1 ESV)
God calls us to ethical business practices that follow biblical values, rather than conforming to dishonest shortcuts the world takes. Integrity and honesty bring lasting success.
Love for Neighbor
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:9-10 ESV)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 ESV)
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31 ESV)
The Golden Rule applies to business as well. We should treat customers, employees, vendors and competitors with the love and respect we would desire for ourselves.
Excellence
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
“Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
Our work should be done with excellence to bring maximum glory to God, whether washing dishes, writing code or running a company.
Faithfulness and Dependability
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” (Proverbs 27:23 ESV)
“Whoever is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 ESV)
Employees and leaders alike should be faithful, dependable stewards attending diligently to details and responsibilities.
There are many more verses about work, wealth, money, generosity and how to carry ourselves in business dealings throughout Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Gospels and the Epistles. May we seek biblical wisdom to excel in business in a way that honors God.