10 Commandments Of Success

Purely by accident I came across the 10 Commandments of Success written by Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnet in the early 20^th Century. 

Based on his lifestyle, I find it ironic that Schwab chose the term “commandments” to describe his success strategies.  His lifestyle was anything but that of a Godly man.  Yet, back in that day, doing the Godly thing was more the norm in American life than many see it in today’s society.

Schwab was a brilliant businessman.  In 1908, he took a major risk and had his company, Bethlehem Steel, begin construction of the H-bean which revolutionized building construction and made possible the age of the skyscraper.

As I read Schwab’s 10 Commandments of Success. . .I was stirred to give them a scriptural foundation.  After all, each of these commandments has scripture as its basis.  For that matter, all success is born in scripture.  It just isn’t always recognized as such.

Let’s take a Godly look at Schwab’s 10 Commandments of Success.

1.         Work hard.  Hard work is the best investment a man can make.

Ezra 5:8 says:

“The king should know that we went to the construction site of the Temple of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones, and timber is being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success.”

Proverbs 14:23 says:

                                                               
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

2.         Study hard.  Knowledge enables a man to work more intelligently and effectively.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 says:

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”

2 Timothy 2:15 says:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

3.         Have initiative.  Ruts often deepen into graves.

Matthew 7:12 in the Message Bible says:

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”

4.         Love your work.  Then you will find pleasure in mastering it.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 in the Contemporary English Version says:

^“We were meant to enjoy our work, and that's the best thing we can do. We can never know the future.”

5.         Be exact.  Slipshod methods bring slipshod results.

Genesis 27:8 in the New Living Translation says:

“Now, my son, listen to me. Do exactly as I tell you.”

Exodus 25:9 in the New Living Translation says:

“You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.”

6.         Have the spirit of conquest.  Thus you can successfully battle and overcome difficulties.

Isaiah 41:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.”

Romans 8:37 says:

“Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.”

7.         Cultivate personality.  Personality is to a man what perfume is to a flower.

Proverbs 20:27 in the Amplified Bible says:

“The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.”

Ephesians 3:16 in the Amplified Bible says:

“May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].”

1 Timothy 4:16 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

8.         Help and share with others.  The real test of business greatness lies in giving opportunities to others.

Hebrews 13:16 in the Message Bible says:

“Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”

Ephesians 6:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.”

Colossians 4:5 in the Message Bible says:

“Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”

9.         Be democratic.  Unless you feel right toward your fellow men, you can never be a successful leader of men.

Galatians 6:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].”

Luke 6:31 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.”

10.        In all things do your best.  The man who has done his best has done everything.   The man who has done less than his best has done nothing.

Proverbs 21:31 in the Message Bible says:

“Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory.”

Colossians 3:22 in the Message Bible says:

“Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.”

Perhaps Charles Schwab’s most famous quotation was:

“A man to carry on a successful business must have imagination. He must see things as in a vision, a dream of the whole thing."

I like the way the Word says it in Romans 4:17. . .where God gives us the ability to “. . .create new things out of nothing.”

The interesting thing about commandments whether the ten that Moses brought down from the mountain or the ones penned by Charles Schwab. . .if you don’t obey them. . .you’re not going to find the success you seek.

According to Wikipedia.com, “Charles Schwab even before the Great Depression had already spent most of his fortune estimated at between $25 million and $40 million. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to between $500 million and $800 million in the first decade of the 21st century.”

Wikipedia went on to say that “Charles Schwab himself died bankrupt, living on borrowed money for five years before his death.”

One last thing. . .success without God is temporary fleeting even if you created a successful business empire and wrote the 10 Commandments of Success.