Nehemiah 5:19 “Remember me with favor, O God, for all I have done for these people.”
This is not a boastful or self-serving prayer request. The Holy Spirit through Nehemiah wrote this book. Nehemiah had done much over the years for the people he led in the rebuilding of the temple. He knew the value of caring for others, especially those under your leadership.
Principle: Business success begins with Godly leaders who care for both their employees and their bottom line.
I think of the leadership qualities of Mary Vermeer Andringa. Mary was co-CEO of Vermeer Manufacturing, an equipment manufacturer that employs 2000 people. The company was on the verge of collapse when Mary took over the leadership. She and her family and friends prayed over the situation and then at great personal sacrifice plunged in to rescue the company.
During this effort, she and her brother came up with a set of Biblical principles which addressed the immediate needs of the company. Their 4P philosophy — principles, people, product and profit – was established as the center point of their business. This translated into better farm implements produced with integrity, while also ensuring safety and quality for their customers. Company employees were provided with educational, medical, athletic and family fun events plus free counseling services, all of which resulted in a stable, content work force. The profitability followed and today the Vermeer Company is a thriving company. It got its jump-start with prayer, which was a prayer for the employees — not the leaders.
The overall emphasis of Nehemiah’s prayer was the people, the workforce – how they had made sacrifices in this project and how he had defended them against the opposition.
Take care of that workforce and God will take care of you.
Discussion:
1. Have you ever been employed by a company that got this right? What was that like?
2. How could your company do a better job of investing in your employees?
3. When have you come to an employee’s defense? What message did that send your employee?
