“She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.”
Recently, while reading about Peter Drucker’s views on business, I came across this summary: “The management consultant Peter Drucker argued that the fundamental purpose of a business is not to make a profit, but to create a customer. He believed that profit is essential to sustain the business, but that focusing on profit maximization is a ‘hazardous’ goal for both the company and society.” I like that viewpoint. In this chapter of Proverbs, the writer describes what we’ve come to know as the Proverbs 31 woman. It highlights the value of hard work that produces a profit. At the same time, we see that her work provides both her and her family an opportunity to influence and impact her community. In Drucker’s view, creating a customer results in profit—a very God-approved outcome. In the biblical worldview for business leaders, expanding God’s kingdom places a business’s focus on the value of the individual—they are the very purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice. When we see customers, employees, clients, vendors, and others as God’s creation—people He desires a relationship with—we turn our attention to representing Him to them. That’s salt and light stuff. The byproduct of doing that well will often be a profit that allows the kingdom impact of the business—and our lives—to expand. That is the ultimate goal of a Christ-centered leader and business. Today, reflect His desire in all you do. #BeTheEdge
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Jesus
