How do you balance your faith and business

[Job]

I am a business owner and a sales guy but business owner, so I'm not all bad.  I find it difficult sometimes balancing my faith and business.  I had an instance today where a new client, who has been having problems with their insurance policy due to another broker, wanted me to call one of their employees and tell them the truth about why their policy got terminated.

I called the employee and explained that the previous broker had set up the policy, changed the effective date, thus sitting on the binder check and causing the check to bounce because the cash management system paid all the bills.  This obviously made the policy terminate and I've been banging my head against the wall to get this thing put back in place for them because employees all over the country have been getting their insurance rejected.

Well, I told the owner how the conversation went, and he was upset that I had told them about finances in the company.  I obviously apologized, but said you wanted me to tell him the truth and I did and explained that it wasn't your fault.  He actually wanted me to tell a version of the truth and I may or may not lose the account.  I don't know.

So as a business owner, every account is crucial, how do you balance out sales with faith and telling the truth?  I used to not have that on my brain all the time and was a great saleman, now, I struggle because I'm always telling the truth.  Any suggestions?

[Salted Websites]

Being truthful and honest as a business person is better than telling a partial truth because the client will actually trust you more if you are honest with them. I would say that they might be more likely to stick with you if you have been completely honest with them because they'll feel like you really care. I'd say be honest and trust that the Lord will provide even if it seems like the client might not accept it well.

May the Lord bless your business!

[Herbert]

Hi im also in sales and  i find my self struggling with this daily,Thank the lord someone has the nerves to post this.please email me back i have a few questions for u

[Herbert]

I am also in sales straight commision for years now i also have issues with this please get back to me

[goaster]

I do have my own business. I always get mad at my workers because of their mistakes which cost a lot to the company. I don't like to get mad but the circumstances call for it. How can I deal with this?

[llewksgood]

When you're dishonest somebody will find you out, be sure of it. Be as generous as possible. Anger, and ridicule don't encourage an employee to do better. Work with them, and look for your own mistakes, not theirs. You will always find you are more forgiving of yourself than others.

I have a major rule in my business -- forgive a debtor.

[ChristianPF]

Truth, while it may be painful will always end up being more beneficial than lying. This is part of the faith walk. God tells us to tell the truth, He doesn't give conditions on when we should and shouldn't, therefore we always should and even if it looks like the consequences will be terrible - loss of account, loss of job, even death, we should always be truthful. The difficult part is in the shades of gray, where we ask ourselves, "well, how much information do I need to give?"  for those areas I think we just need to be led by spirit...  my 2 cents...

[rppearso]

How do you stay in buisness if you dont hold people accountable for there bills?

When you're dishonest somebody will find you out, be sure of it. Be as generous as possible. Anger, and ridicule don't encourage an employee to do better. Work with them, and look for your own mistakes, not theirs. You will always find you are more forgiving of yourself than others.

I have a major rule in my business -- forgive a debtor.

[Quinson Thomas]

How do you balance your faith and business?

It's quite simple actually. Make your business about your faith!

Do whatever you do as unto the Lord.(Colossians 3:23)

Yours in Christ,



Quinson

Amazing FREE Christian Success Ebook==>(57+ Downloads already!)

[links removed per forum rules]

[Fem2009]

I am a business owner and a sales guy but business owner, so I'm not all bad.  I find it difficult sometimes balancing my faith and business.  I had an instance today where a new client, who has been having problems with their insurance policy due to another broker, wanted me to call one of their employees and tell them the truth about why their policy got terminated.

I called the employee and explained that the previous broker had set up the policy, changed the effective date, thus sitting on the binder check and causing the check to bounce because the cash management system paid all the bills.  This obviously made the policy terminate and I've been banging my head against the wall to get this thing put back in place for them because employees all over the country have been getting their insurance rejected.

Well, I told the owner how the conversation went, and he was upset that I had told them about finances in the company.  I obviously apologized, but said you wanted me to tell him the truth and I did and explained that it wasn't your fault.  He actually wanted me to tell a version of the truth and I may or may not lose the account.  I don't know.

So as a business owner, every account is crucial, how do you balance out sales with faith and telling the truth?  I used to not have that on my brain all the time and was a great saleman, now, I struggle because I'm always telling the truth.  Any suggestions?

Sales is tough work. You have to understand psychology and people's wants/needs. As you already know, it involves alot of talking-sometimes white lying. If you stay honest, that will reap the best results.

I would not tell people more than what they ask. Sometimes it's best to state what is important but not give information that can shoot you down. My area is within the design industry. Presentation is very important. Tell the person "let me be completely honest with you" and that will build their trust. God comes first in my life, so I would not lie to anyone. Though there is nothing wrong with leaving out unimportant details. If I made a handbag that is not up to par, I would not immediately state "this isn't how it should look" during a presentation. I will not be the one to call out flaws in my work.

If you're dealing with people's insurance, that is important info. Trust your faith to guide you. Don't ever be afraid to lose money or to be honest. Follow what the Bible says you should do.  Pray to God for guidance and don't work on the seventh day:

Exodus 31:15
Six days may work be done; but in the Seventh is the Sabbath of rest, Holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

1 Timothy 6: 7-10
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Romans 13:7
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.