What Does Love Have To Do With Business - Love's Motivation

"(Love) bares all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things."

1 Corinthians 13: 7

The world of commerce was created by God as a gift to His people. This gift from God is a MAJOR contribution to our personal life and to our relationship with God himself. The marketplace is where we have the opportunity to convene with other folks and build strong relationships. How we conduct ourselves in these relationships, can have an affect, not only on our standard of living here on earth, but also on the eternal lives of those in whom we come in contact. Because it is such a major part of our life, it is also a primary target of satan in his attempt to destroy our relationship with God. 

We still have the question, what part does love have to do with business?  We have seen certain characteristics that God gave to the apostle Paul concerning love. We have tried to create situations where each of these can, and should, be applied to business. What motivates us and gives us the strength to apply these characteristics can come from two areas. One source is the desire to do what is right, or to put it in Biblical terms, to be righteous. This is a strong motivation and one worthy of rewards from God(1Samuel 26:33). We are told to seek first His kingdom and his righteousness(Matthew 6: 33), the world will be judged in righteousness(Psalm 96: 13), and Heaven is made up of righteousness, peace and joy(Romans14:17). Yet, we will be persecuted for our righteousness(Matthew 5:10). To obey the characteristics of love from wanting to do what is right is a worthy motivation.

I recently had a situation where some promises and contractual obligations came into question in connection with improvements in a subdivision we developed. In turning the streets over to the Department of Transportation, we were required to meet certain standards. Due to a recession in the market, some time had past before we could render the streets over to DOT, therefore, all warranties from our contractors had expired. After DOT made their inspection, it was determined that we did not have the required thickness of asphalt. My contractor, who hired the paving company, called me and advised me that the paving company would not even discuss the matter with us. However, he shared with me that his company had promised the correct amount of asphalt in his contract with me, and he intended to fulfill the standard even though time had lapsed. 

Not many businesses would take this position. Quite naturally, most of us want to do what is right, but sometimes the cost can be very severe. That, I believe, is where love comes in. Our motivation and strength to apply these characteristics comes from a love for our friends, business associates, competitors, and even those who disappoint us. But the greatest motivation comes from a love for our Lord and Savior. During my conversations with my contractor, we talked about our anger toward the paving contractor, but we also talked about how we needed to pray for them. Pray that they not only soften their hearts in this situation, but pray that God would bless them and their business. That can only be accomplished through a love that comes from God.

The thing that creates integrity, morality, and righteousness in the marketplace is a determination to do the right thing and a Godly love for all those in the business world. It takes both, but the greatest motivation comes when we realize how much God loves us and that He commands us to demonstrate His love even to a sorry paving contractor. 

How does one respond to love? Sometimes it is hard for us to really comprehend how much God does love us. We need a strong faith to recognize that many of the blessings in our life come from the love of a God we cannot physically see. It is when we come face to face with someone who demonstrates sincere love toward us that we really don't know how to respond. Our only response is to stand in amazement, and to be so touched deep within our hearts, we get Paul's point; everything we do is pointless unless it is done with love. " And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."