Harvard theologian Harvey Cox wrote in the Atlantic Monthly in March of 1999 that in America we now see “The Market as God.” Cox wrote: “The Market is not only around us but inside of us, informing our senses and our feelings. There seems to be nowhere left to flee from its untiring quest. Like the Hound of Heaven, it pursues us home from the mall and into the nursery and the bedroom.” It has been said that the present day religion of America is “consumerism” and the cathedrals of worship are the shopping malls. Television advertising is the “evangelistic outreach” of this religion, spreading the message and drawing followers to come and worship. Wall Street is the “holy city” from which the “profits” speak.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Deuteronomy 5:11

Right now you’re probably thinking, “This should be an easy devotional—I don’t blaspheme…” (except when I say, “Oh my God!” – but he knows I mean that in a nice way – or when I get the bajeebies scared out of me and I say, “Sweet Jesus!”). So I am not misusing God’s name in my work… but I will read on to see what the other people are doing.

Leadership is the one thing that we talk about constantly, but yet know so little about. Most of us spend time attending seminars and reading the latest books on leadership, but few of us take the time to examine the life of the greatest leader that has ever lived –Jesus Christ. Jesus knew that leadership is all about relationships.

As I was shaving this morning, the thought came to me. What are the Ten Foundational Lessons that I have learned as a business owner? What ten things would I write in concrete for a young entrepreneur? So, over the last few weeks I have massaged this list several times and am now ready to share with you. I hope that you will consider these options and incorporate one of two of these ideas into your workplace.