Last year a friend and member of the congregation I used to serve as pastor contacted me. He was opening a new business, and most of his employees would be members of his family. He was determined to run his business in keeping with his faith in Jesus. To that end he was going to have a devotion with all his employees before their first opening. He asked if I would help him with that, so I wrote down a few thoughts to share with him. I’m sharing those with you today.

Stewardship takes the attitude that God is the owner of everything. We are but managers/caretakers/stewards. How does this apply to your new company?

Colossians 3:23–24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

As those redeemed by Christ, we should have a different attitude and do things differently.

Romans 6:13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

Trust in the Lord throughout this venture, and He will guide and direct you

Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust 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.

Strive to give all the glory to God in what you are doing

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

As you go into the next phase of this venture, this new beginning, I think this old hymn imparts a lot of wisdom:

With the Lord begin thy task, Jesus will direct it;
For His aid and counsel ask, Jesus will perfect it.
Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,
In His name then close thine eyes: Be to Him commended.

Let each day begin with prayer, Praise, and adoration;
On the Lord cast ev’ry care, He is thy Salvation.
Morning, evening, and at night Jesus will be near thee,
Save thee from the Tempter’s might, With His presence cheer thee.

With thy Savior at thy side, Foes need not alarm thee;
In His promises confide, And no ill can harm thee.
All thy trust do thou repose In the mighty Master,
Who in wisdom truly knows How to stem disaster.

If thy task be thus begun With the Savior’s blessing,
Safely then thy course will run, Naught thy soul distressing.
Good will follow everywhere While thou here must wander;
Thou at last the joy wilt share In the mansions yonder.

Thus, Lord Jesus, every task Be to Thee commended;
May Thy will be done, I ask, Until life is ended.
Jesus, in Thy name begun Be the day’s endeavor;
Grant that it may well be done To Thy praise forever.

Hope this helps all of you in some way.