Judges 7:2-7 “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained … ‘There are still too many men …’ The Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.’”
Read the entire chapter for the interesting details of how God narrowed Gideon’s army down to the size that He wanted. God’s methods are not our methods. He could have done the job without Gideon’s help at all. He could have used the original 32,000 soldiers or 10,000 or 7,700 but He chose to use 300 to accomplish His goal.
Principle: God does not depend on large numbers to be victorious.
In a time when the economy is not on the side of small businesses, we need to be more efficient, productive, and faith-filled Christian businessmen to further His work in our business life. Here are some ideas for business life simplification, without the specific Bible references. If you want the specific references, contact me and say, “send me the Gideon list.”
1. Motivate employees.
2. Deal with negativity to prevent unnecessary distractions.
3. Be more confident. If your team does not think you are in charge, they will not listen.
4. Boost employee morale.
5. Be a better role model.
6. Lead effectively. Be less of a boss and more of a coach.
7. Increase productivity. Create a team that is highly productive.
8.Customize your training. Identify a mode of learning which is best of each member.
9. Stop procrastinating. Identify your single biggest time waster and solve it.
10.Delegate. This will save you time and money.
11.Reduce stress.
Discussion:
1. What struggles is your small business facing today?
2. What steps could you take to face that struggle head on?
3. Which of these 11 ideas will you work to improve this week?
