Doing Business By the Good Book: 52 Lessons On Success Straight From the Bible

Rating:
Summary: You can make it if you try, Steward did.
Review: After reading "Doing Business By the Good Book" I remember what Abraham Lincoln said, "God is the partner in all great endeavors." In reading about the ups and downs David and Thelma Steward went through before reaching this point in their lives, it became evident they are givers and not takers. I believe the only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves. Yes, obstacles existed for the Stewards who used them as a positive instead of a negative force. I recommend that everyone read this book, as you will gain something from its teachings. I know that I did. Remember, losers complain and winners make change. The Stewards are making changes.

David Hoech
Global Consultants, Inc.
Hallandale Beach, Florida

Rating:
Summary: Doing Business By the Good Book: 52 Lessons On Success Strai
Review: David Steward's book should be required reading by all pastors and in all churches as well as in today's business world. It's wonderful! Easy to read, yet weighty in substance. Using biblical principles, David successfully shows a spiritually, mature integration of these principles and his faith with success and business workplace ethics. Churches could also benefit from this refreshing viewpoint of "doing business by the good book" and note that this "good book" is just as good for religous business. I see this book being used to teach biblical ethics and for bible study and Sunday School (one lesson X 52 weeks).

Rating:
Summary: Inspired Work
Review: DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK is an inspiring collection of business truisms based on Biblical teachings. The author of the book, David Steward, is a very successful businessman and the founder and CEO of a billion dollar company called World Wide Technologies. Establishing his company in the highly competitive "tech" field was not easy, especially when there were countless naysayers who doubted that a small minority business could garner success in this area. However, Steward credits his commitment to God's principals as the driving force behind his corporate success. Already known as a dominant business leader, David and his wife were asked to teach a Sunday School class for business people. It is this Sunday School class, called Doing Business by the Book, which provided the material for this powerful book.

The lessons in the book are set up in an easily understood manner. Each of the 52 lessons has its own theme and includes a scriptural passage relating to the particular theme. The actual "meat" of the lesson includes the author's interpretation of the scripture and his own experiences with the theme. Steward provides readers with a wealth of information and willingly uses his own experiences as examples.

While this book is targeted towards a business audience, the lessons will motivate anyone who reads it. The book covers a broad array of subject areas, including planning, communication, networking, and flexibility. However, the most powerful message in the book is that our morals and values should be upheld in all aspects of our lives, including the professional arena. David Steward provides relevant, hard-hitting food for thought and his personal experiences are just as powerful as the Biblical lessons he teaches. DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK will provoke readers to examine themselves and consider the word of God before making decisions in their lives. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Stand on Reason
Review: Let's quit relying on allies in the sky to justify our ethical principles. Instead, let's be rational grownups of the 21st century. For a more cogent analysis...not to mention one that is better written, see Michael Berumen's Do No Evil: Ethics with Applications to Economic Theory and Business

Rating:
Summary: Powerful business book using thebible as a guide
Review: Perhaps if someone less successful in business than David L. Steward and Robert L. Shook wrote this guide book, readers would chuckle over the concept that the Bible offers sage advice on business practices. Business ethics seems an oxymoron as the Golden Rule of Wall St. seems that them with the gold makes the rule (look at who has access to Mr. Bush, Mr. Clinton or those fiefdoms we dub Congress). However, cynicism aside, Mr. Steward and Mr. Shook makes a strong case that those who follow biblical guidance have a very high chance of success.

The authors break the self help book into fifty two topics such as good leadership, empowerment, networking, conviction, etc. Each chapter contains a brief definition, scripture quotes, and examples of success. The advice is solid as the topics are relevant and biblical citations and parables fit quite soundly in today's information age. This is an insightful and interesting book that encourages people to conduct business activities in a positive manner straight from the bible. Ye who doubt must not forget Abraham. He was the leading businessman of his time until he hears a voice in his head. Heeding the advice, he sells the business, relocates and gives the choice beach front property to his nephew. Following that lordly voice in his brain he becomes the leading businessman again.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Review: This book is the most inspiring how-to business book I have ever read! It is a must read for every principle centered business person. All business people can relate to the personal trials that David Steward overcame by faith. Thank you David for stepping forward and pointing to the source.

Rating:
Summary: Must reading for all business leaders
Review: Who says good guys don't win! Steward has built the most successful African-American business in the country based on biblical lessons, proving that doing business according to the scriptures is not only the right way but the best way to succeed. Unlike other books on this subject, Steward doesn't preach--he's a successful businessman who tells what he did. His book is filled with ancedotal material that tells what worked for him, and if it worked for him, it can work for you. It's not a "do as I say," but a "here's what I did" book. You don't have to be a biblical scholar to enjoy Steward's message. Each of its 52 business lessons is easy to apply. The book demonstrates that by serving others, your employees and customers will be more loyal and this help to build healthy bottom line. Chapters offer tips on such subjects as: risk-taking,delegating, building long-term relationships, communicating,teamwork, and dealing with adversity. Chapters cite incidents in the bible on how to manage and lead people, and these examples are interwined with how Steward, a highly successful entrepreneur, applied these biblical lessons to build his company, World Wide Technology.

While it sounds elementary, what Steward did is the stuff that builds great institutions. What the author advises is right there in the bible. But applying biblical lessons to modern times is hard for many people to do. In this respect, DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK can be used as a step-by-step primer on how to put into practice what the bible prescribes. Read this wonderful book--it will change your life!