Doing Business by the Good Book: 52 Lessons on Success Straight from the Bible

By David L. Steward with Robert L. Shook
Published by Hyperion
January 2004; $19.95US/$29.95CAN; 1-4013-0062-6

An indispensable volume that shows how to succeed in business by using the Bible and its lessons as a source of inspiration and guidance.

How can it be that an ancient text, seemingly far from the world of today's business life, can have lessons that can improve the day-to-day workings of any business? Dave Steward has found the keys to the kingdom. Doing Business by the Good Book takes selected scripture and applies it to business life with clarity and promise.

Dave Steward, founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, a privately held, billion-dollar company headquartered in St. Louis, knows whom to thank for his good fortune. Starting on a shoestring in 1990, Dave built his business based on principles from the Scriptures. Dedicated to serving others, he conducts a Sunday school class for businesspeople to help them focus on how to work together, how to succeed in today's highly competitive marketplace, and how to do it honestly and righteously. He found all of his material in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. This inspiring and professional book is the essence of what he teaches in class. Following a Bible passage for each week of the year, readers will increase their bottom line, as well as the capacity of their souls -- a great return on investment!

Author

David L. Steward is the founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, Inc., identified by Black Enterprise as the nation's largest African American-owned company. He also serves as the co-chairman of the United Way in St. Louis, Missouri, and is on the board of more than a dozen additional charitable and civic organizations. David lives in St. Louis with his wife and children.

Robert L. Shook has authored or collaborated on numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Longaberger: An American Success Story.

For more information, please visit www.writtenvoices.com

Reviews

"This book is right on the money. Not only does it provide guidelines that are great for conducting business, but they are equally important in running your personal life. These lessons will help me as a husband, father, and business partner."

--Butch Davis, head coach, Cleveland Browns

"David Steward practices what he preaches and the results are clear. His remarkably successful business career is a powerful testimonial to this book's lessons."

--Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., CEO of SBC Communications, Inc.

"I found something encouraging in every chapter of this book. Dave Steward has something to say to anyone who wants to have success and happiness in business and life."

--U.S. Senator Jim Talent

"I know Dave Steward and the principles that he speaks of in this book are a reflection of his core values. He embodies those values and they are underscored in how he conducts business."

--Congressman Richard Gephardt

"The David Steward story inspires me. I admire his courage, vision, hard work, and talent. Steward's deep faith has played such an important role in his success, and more significantly, in his life. This is made clear in his book."

--E. Stanley O'Neal, chairman, CEO, and president, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

"David's book is a gift to all of us who are striving to lead a meaningful and balanced life amidst the increasing challenges of today's fast-paced world."

--Terrance C. Z. Egger, president and publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Reading Doing Business by the Good Book reveals to all of us the source of Dave's strength and wisdom. By matching scriptures with sound business principles, the book brings a freshness of thought that benefits any manager."

--John Bachman, managing principal, Edward Jones

"Dave shows in this book that you can follow the Golden Rule and still run a successful company. His words, as well as his actions, are an inspiration to all business leaders."

--Robert L. Bagby, Chairman and CEO, A.G. Edwards, Inc.

"Doing Business by the Good Book should be required reading by every CEO in America."

--C. Britt Beemer, Chairman and CEO, America's Research Group

"David Steward is a successful businessman and an outstanding civic leader. His life should serve as an example that hard work and perseverance can overcome all obstacles."

--Bob Holden, Governor of Missouri

"David Steward is a deeply religious man who has been successful in business. He is now sharing his vision of life and ethics in business. The reader will come away a better person."

--William H. Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus, Washington University in St. Louis

"David Steward's deep faith has enabled him to lead and educate others in working and living at the highest possible levels. What enormous benefit he brings to the world of business -- and to all our lives."

--Alan Schonberg, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Management Recruiters International

"David Steward hits the nail on the head. This book demonstrates how his great business success is closely related to his profound faith."

--George H. Walker, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary

"Personal honesty and integrity may be more important than ever to growing a business and building strong customer relationships. Steward's clear, practical discussion of ethical issues offers lessons any business person will find useful."

--Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

"Today, American businesses are being challenged to create the right 'Tone at the Top' in order to manage successfully through difficult times. Dave Steward takes the issue squarely on, by making a timely and eloquent case that the principles upon which our faith tells us to live our personal lives also apply to our business activities."

--Douglas H. Yaeger, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, The Laclede Group, Inc.

"WOW. This book contains truly substantive life lessons. No matter how large or small your enterprise, these fifty-two philosophies will speak to your soul."

--Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus, Ohio

"I found Doing Business by the Good Book very stimulating and very enlightening. Many talk about the separation of church and state or business, but if we follow the guidelines as set down in the Bible, we will always be on track."

--Robert A. Reynolds, Chairman, President and CEO, Graybar Electric Company, Inc.

"I enjoyed the book and felt blessed by having read it. It will certainly help me to be more consistent in applying the first ServiceMaster corporate objective, 'To honor God in all we do.'"

--Michael M. Isakson, President and CEO, ServiceMaster Clean and Furniture Medic

"I have worked side by side with Dave since July 1990 when we first opened the doors to World Wide Technology, Inc. His unwavering commitment to stand behind his word in good times and in bad and always do what is right has been the foundation of our thirteen year relationship and this business."

--Jim Kavanagh, CEO, World Wide Technology Holding, Inc.

"We learn from David Steward the importance of setting our affections on things above, not on things on the earth -- of serving Christ as the surest foundation for building our personal and professional lives."

--Ronald Q. Williams, Assistant Regional Administrator, Federal Technology Service, U.S. General Services Administration

"David Steward, by using real-life examples of results based on his commitment to God, brings new life and meaning to business through the Good Book."

--Dr. Richard S. Meyers, President of Webster University

"David Steward weaves lessons from the Bible with his own faith-filled and inspiring life story to demonstrate how morality, spirituality and service to others are not only compatible with true success, but absolutely necessary to it."

--Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon

"The ethical and moral source for doing business as outlined in this book is exactly what American business needs at this time."

--Richard Vehige, President, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO

"Concepts like respect, love-in-action, fairness, care, and concern for the well-being of his employees and customers are the priorities of Dave Steward's life. Here is a book that both teaches and inspires."

--Ann Brookshire Sherer, Resident Bishop, Missouri Conference, The United Methodist Church

"David Steward has demonstrated how to apply Biblical principles and Christian ethics on a daily basis while doing business with integrity."

--Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL

"Dave Steward's book proves that when one lives a moral life, both prosperity and fulfillment follow. This is a good read for anyone in business."

--Patrick Mulcahy, CEO Energizer Holdings, Inc.

"In this book, Dave Steward has translated the noblest values of life into practical work day applications. In doing so, David has not only demonstrated that these values work in business, but that they can actually be the catalyst for growth."

--Gary Dollar, President and CEO, The United Way of Greater St. Louis, MO

"This book is filled with excellent and timely advice for both the novice and experienced businessperson. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it."

--Bob LaMonte, President and founder, Professional Sports Representation, Inc.

"This book delivers the blueprint for true success, built on the truth that will set you free!"

--Tim Templeton, author of The Referral of a Lifetime

"It's a powerful experience to witness someone living his faith, and through Doing Business by the Good Book, David offers insight for others to do the same."

--Arnold Donald, Chairman and CEO of Merisant Company

"The leadership principles outlined in this book and exemplified by David Steward are timeless. They will bless everyone who reads and practices them."

--Robert Clark, CEO, Clayco Construction Company

"This is an inspirational book for those who value morality in business. The wisdom of the Bible teaches that by doing good, you will ultimately do well."

--Lillian Vernon, Founding Chairman, Lillian Vernon Corporation

"All who read this book will be blessed and will in turn bless others."

--Ralph W. Clermont, Managing Partner, KPMG LLP

"Doing Business by the Good Book is essential reading for anyone intent on succeeding in business the right way."

--Thurmond B. Woodward, Chief Ethics Officer and Vice President of Global Diversity, Dell, Inc.

"David Steward is a man of integrity. His values-based approach to business and life has made him a success at both."

--Joseph J. Anderson, Vice President, Quality Management and Supplier Diversity, Verizon Communications

"David Steward's book is a remarkable testimony of the power of love -- in all of our thoughts and all that we attempt to do."

--Dr. Henry Givens Jr., President, Harris-Stowe State College

Excerpt

The following is an excerpt from the book Doing Business by the Good Book

by David L. Steward with Robert L. Shook

Published by Hyperion; January 2004; $19.95US/$29.95CAN; 1-4013-0062-6

Copyright © 2004 David Steward and Robert L. Shook

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.

--Luke 6:38

In the dictionary, an entrepreneur is defined as "one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business." While the definition is valid, it seems sterile without a reference to the entrepreneurial spirit.

When I think about the big leap I took by venturing out on my own, I had more on my mind than just organizing, managing, and assuming the risk of a business. My thoughts focused on Noah's faith in God when he built the ark. Genesis 6:13-16 describes God telling Noah that he would destroy all flesh because the earth was filled with violence. Then God instructed Noah to build an ark measuring 300 cubits in length, or about 450 feet. The ark's width should be 75 feet and it should stand 45 feet high.

Imagine how much Noah had to trust God to take on such a task. Working with crude tools, Noah, a farmer from Ur, and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, constructed this huge vessel -- the biggest ever built in its day. Noah built it exactly to God's specifications, never deviating from his instructions. The ark was supposed to save Noah and his family from an impending flood, yet there were no clouds in the sky that showed any sign of even a rain shower. Still, Noah and his sons worked day and night on the ark. People came from near and far to see the four driven men build the huge ark in the desert. Neighbors and visitors ridiculed and cursed Noah, yet he never abandoned his faith in God.

True, starting my own company was a miniscule task compared to Noah's. I was the son of a mechanic, who was also a man of the soil. My father worked a small farm -- consisting of a couple of cows, a few chickens, and some hogs -- to feed his family of ten. Even though I had received my business degree from Central Missouri State University in 1973 and had held various sales and marketing positions with Union Pacific Railroad and Federal Express, people didn't hesitate to question me: "What do you know about owning your own business? How could you quit a good job to start your own company?"

When you dare to have ambitions, people tend to ridicule you; they become vocal about why you cannot and even should not attempt to pursue your dream. Some well-meaning friends and family members are trying to protect you, while others may be jealous that you might succeed. Few have the same belief in you that you have in yourself. There will always be someone who wants to rain on your parade, but an entrepreneur can't be swayed by other people's standards. Don't let them put you into a box. If you buy into what's expected of you, you'll be restricted by others' limitations. Better you should be guided by God's unlimited promise. We've all been told: "Finish your education, get a good job, work for a good company, and you'll have a great life." In other words, work all your life, get a gold watch, and retire.

This message is repeated and reinforced by people who are all too willing to tell us what they think we should do. Friends, teachers, and even college professors continually reinforce it, and then parents confirm this message to their children by being living examples of it. It takes a leap of faith to raise yourself above what others expect of you. The hardest thing to do is take that first step to overcome your fears and self-doubt, especially when you're surrounded by doubting Thomases who constantly reinforce those fears, based on their personal beliefs.

Becoming a player in the world of Information Technology (IT), which was a new revolution in the 1980s, presented challenges to all who sought entry, and, in particular, an African-American. To this day, I can visualize the frowns on the faces of friends and family who said, "You know they won't let you do that." I wondered, "Who are they?"

Following about ten years of employment in corporate America, in 1984 I started my own company, Transportation Business Specialists. My transition to the role of sole proprietor was difficult; it meant no longer having a supervisor to rely on, no steady paycheck, and no expense account. The umbilical cord was cut; I relinquished the safety net of a large corporation. Along with a second entity, a sister company I created called Transport Administrative Services, we provided services to the transportation industry by locating inefficiencies in the commercial freight industry. These auditing services revealed how much the railroads were losing for undercharges as opposed to overcharges. At the time, many companies provided overcharge services informing customers that ship by rail when they were charged too much, but nobody had ever taken our approach and worked the other end of the equation. Consequently, we were engaged to do an undercharge audit of three years' worth of freight bills for Union Pacific Railroad, which meant that my company would manage $15 billion of rate information for a single client.

The only way to handle that amount of information was through a local area network to link all of their operations, so we built what was at the time the biggest network in St. Louis. After I learned the benefits of effectively integrating technology to solve business problems, I formed my current company, World Wide Technology, in 1990 with an investment of $250,000, hard-eared money from my two earlier ventures.

WWT wasn't exactly an "overnight success." We had our peaks and valleys, and although I never missed a single payroll, many weeks I didn't receive my own paycheck. Employees always came first. At one point in 1993, things were so tight, a collection company repossessed my car right from our parking lot. Fortunately, I ran after the car and was able to stop it so I could retrieve my briefcase from the trunk.

When friends and acquaintances asked my wife, Thelma, about our new venture, and she explained what our IT company did, they'd roll their eyes. Once a woman told Thelma, "Well, you guys must like living on the edge." We quickly learned to throw conventional wisdom out the window, knowing that what the world thinks is wise, God thinks is foolish.

It is always darkest before the dawn, and even in the most discouraging times, I never lost my faith in God. I was in his hands, and I always knew the Lord would look after me. I constantly reminded myself that when God told Abraham to take his only son to the altar to sacrifice him, Abraham did as he was told. Imagine the confusion in Abraham's mind -- a man who was incredibly old when his son was born, and yet he was prepared to sacrifice him. At the time, Abraham didn't know God would have him sacrifice a lamb instead. If Abraham could have such faith in God, I believed I too could trust God to look after me.

Throughout my life, I have followed examples set by individuals in the Bible, such men as Abraham, Noah, and David, who had been given a charge to do God's work. And I, through my business and my daily life, have a charge to do God's work, to be obedient and find favor with the Lord.

As the Bible tells us, we are here to sow seed into people's lives. In Luke 6:38, Christ says: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." I live my life by these words. My objective in business is not driven by how much money I may make. I seek to serve and to give to others.

In business, my biggest job as CEO and owner of my company is to serve others. My charge is to serve the employees of this organization and serve them well. In my company, I strive to nurture service and commitment to others, an attitude that places others before us. We abide by this philosophy rather than participating in a self-serving culture, and it permeates externally to customers and suppliers. Then, like a pebble cast into a lake, its ripples eventually reach the shore. Trust and loyalty communicated to others assures long-term success.

Jesus devoted his life to serving others. Even at the Last Supper, Jesus demonstrated that he was here to serve when he knelt to wash the feet of his disciples. In doing so, Jesus humbled himself, because Hebrew culture viewed the washing of feet as the lowliest of acts. Some of his disciples were so embarrassed, they argued and refused to have their Lord and Savior serve them. But Jesus was there to serve, just as he was there to sacrifice his life for us.

Similarly, the success of a business owner is dependent upon his or her desire to serve others. I believe this philosophy of servitude epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit.

Copyright © 2004 David Steward and Robert L. Shook

For more information, please visit www.writtenvoices.com