The Bible calls honest business God's delight: "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight" (Proverbs 11:1). It praises diligence, "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings" (Proverbs 22:29), and planning with advice, for "in the multitude of counsellors they are established" (Proverbs 15:22).
Many Christians run a small business, a side hustle, a family farm or a company with hundreds of employees, and Scripture has a lot to say to them, from honest scales in the marketplace to fair pay for workers. These twelve King James verses cover honest business, planning and diligence, and people of the Bible who worked in trade, including Paul the tentmaker. January is a natural time to set goals and write a business plan, and these verses can shape both. For the workplace in general, see work; for money, see finances.
Honest business: fair weights and fair pay
1. Proverbs 11:1
"A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight."
In ancient markets, traders weighed goods with stones on a balance, and a false weight cheated the buyer. God calls honest dealing His delight, from pricing and invoices to tax returns. See integrity.
2. Proverbs 16:11
"A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work."
Just weights and balances belong to the LORD. Fair business is not only good policy; it reflects the character of God, who is just in all His ways.
3. Leviticus 19:13
"Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning."
God told employers to pay wages promptly, the same day for day laborers. Paying workers and contractors on time is an act of justice. See working hard.
4. Proverbs 22:1
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."
A good name is better than great riches. In business a reputation takes years to build and minutes to lose, so guard it more carefully than profit.
Planning, diligence and wise counsel
5. Proverbs 24:27
"Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house."
Prepare your fields first, then build your house. Solomon's order is practical: build the income before the expansion. It is old advice for any startup.
6. Proverbs 15:22
"Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."
Plans fail without counsel and succeed with many advisers. Mentors, accountants, lawyers and trusted friends are part of wise planning, not a sign of weakness.
7. Ecclesiastes 11:6
"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."
Sow in the morning and in the evening, because you do not know which will prosper. Many read it as a call to diligence and to more than one source of growth. Ecclesiastes 11:2 adds, give a portion to seven, and also to eight.
8. Proverbs 22:29
"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
The King James Version uses the word business here. Skill and diligence open doors: the diligent worker will stand before kings, not before obscure people.
Business people of the Bible and the owner's heart
9. Proverbs 31:24
"She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."
The woman of Proverbs 31 makes fine linen and sells it to merchants. The Bible honors women in business too. See a strong woman.
10. Acts 18:3
"And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers."
Paul worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla while he preached in Corinth. Running a business can support ministry and open doors to share the gospel.
11. Colossians 4:1
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."
Masters are to give their servants what is just and equal, knowing they also have a Master in heaven. Business owners and managers answer to God for how they treat employees.
12. Proverbs 16:8
"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."
A little with righteousness is better than great revenues without right. Some deals are not worth winning; integrity is part of the bottom line God measures.
A short prayer
Lord, this business is Yours. Give me wisdom to plan, diligence to work and humility to seek good counsel. Keep my scales honest and my words true. Help me pay fairly, serve customers well and treat every employee as someone You love. Establish the work of my hands, and use it for Your glory. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Get our free 7-Day New Year Scripture Focus Plan · Pray over your plans with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about starting a business?
Count the cost first, as Jesus said about building a tower (Luke 14:28), prepare your fields before you build (Proverbs 24:27), and seek many counsellors (Proverbs 15:22). Then commit your plans to God: "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:3). See the desires of your heart for praying over goals.
Is it wrong for a Christian to make a profit?
No. In the parable of the talents, the servant who traded and made five more talents is praised (Matthew 25:16-21), and Proverbs 31:24 shows a woman selling her goods. Scripture warns against greed and dishonest gain, not profit itself: "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).
What is a good Bible verse for a business owner?
Proverbs 16:3, Proverbs 22:29 and Psalm 90:17, "establish thou the work of our hands upon us" (Psalm 90:17), are popular for offices and planning journals. For a new year, many owners pray James 4:15: "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:15). See also being faithful.
Can I use Bible verses in my business branding?
Yes, if it is done honestly and humbly. In the United States the King James Version is in the public domain, so you can quote it freely. Make sure your service matches the verse on the wall, so that people see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
This page offers spiritual encouragement, not legal, tax or financial advice. Please talk with a qualified professional about decisions for your business.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses for work · Bible verses about working hard · Bible verses about finances · Bible verses about success · Bible verses about integrity · Bible verses about leadership · Bible verses about a strong woman · Bible verses about being faithful
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