Business Relationships That Are Not A Bust
Series: Relationships That Rock
INTRO: Two weeks ago I started a series I call, “Relationships that Rock.” We can have good relationships if we put the effort into them. Relationships with God, family, friends and our business contacts are important. They can be great. We must put forth the effort.
We can see that for many people, relation ships with God and family relationships are important. Business relationships are also important in life.
Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. {2} And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. {3} And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, {4} And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. {5} Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. {6} And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? {7} They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. {8} So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. {9} And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. {10} But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. {11} And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, {12} Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. {13} But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? {14} Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. {15} Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? {16} So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
I know I have said that communications are key in most relationships. But for this part, we need to see…
I am talking about wasteful time consuming communication that we do that takes away from our job performance.
Personal phone calls put on hold – cell phone society changing our approach
There to do a job
Not being judgmental – I know we all do it – but does that make it right?
Our co-workers will think we’re nuts
Yes, but our bosses will think we’re great
Let me share a quote from reliableplant.com:
With as many as 37.3 million workers participating in March Madness office pools and up to 1.5 million watching games online from their desks, it is a wonder that any meaningful work is actually completed during the last two weeks of March, when the National Collegiate Athletic Association holds its men’s college basketball championship tournament.
According to an estimate prepared by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., the annual distraction could cost employers as much as $1.7 billion in wasted work time over the 16 business days of the Tournament, starting the Monday after the teams and brackets are selected (March 17) through its conclusion on Monday, April 7, in San Antonio, Texas. -
I know we can come up with all kinds of different excuses, but, let’s just be honest. Which brings me to our next item of action. We need…
Honesty that is held high for all to see
I am not talking about bragging about being righteous, trustworthy, honest, a person of integrity. I am talking about just being honest.
Honest in our dealings (not cheating)
Prov 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
Honest in our work performance (day’s work for a day’s wages)
Mat 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
We also need…
I know that is partly for the consumer, but it is for the company too to track problems
What if it said, Inspected by “Gary Marcum” or ____
Okay we have looked at actions at work, let’s also look at…
No cut-throat stories or tales
No lies
No getting even
No rewarding evil for good - that is the wrong side
Psalms 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
Yeah, but they deserve it
Matthew 5:38-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: {39} But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. {40} And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. {41} And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. {42} Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. {43} Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. {44} But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
It is easy to stand off to the side and let others fend for themselves
It is hard to help someone that may get credit for our work
Have the right attitude – we serve the right “Boss” (Master)!
The golden rule works – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Last I want to spend some time looking at…
Anxiety and problems at work
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Advice from God’s Word
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
There is an old saying that aligns with this…
"Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"?
Honest self inspection/examination
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Once again the golden rule is in play ( based on Mat 22:39 …Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.)
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 040608am