By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – For businesses to be successful, they should solve problems of the areas they serve.
This was said by House of Assembly Speaker Jabulani Mabuza on June 15, 2025 during the Free Evangelical Assemblies Business Seminar that was held at the church’s premises in Zakhele, Manzini. Mabuza was speaking at the function as an invited guest to share how the members of the church could be successful business people.
Mabuza, a businessman of note, advised the church members that they should first identify a problem that they had in their respective places of residence. “Once you look at the problem, you will want to identify a solution to that problem. That solution is the business,” Mabuza said.
He went on to state that it was important for a prospective business person to identify his or her market, in order to be able to sell whatever product they produced. He also advised that it was important to also find out what their competition was up to and what they could do better than their competitors.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said the church had organised this function so that they could encourage its members to consider venturing into business, under the biblical principles. Khumalo said many people had the tendency of thinking that business was only done by people who were unethical or crooks. They wanted to remove that narrative because it was not accurate.
Thobile Khumalo, who chairs a committee established to encourage members of the church to venture into businesses, said the event was meant to also advise the members on what to do when they met challenging times during their business ventures. Members of the church also welcomed the event and commended the church leaders for having been able to organise such an event.
According to various online sources, several Bible verses support the idea of engaging in business and working diligently to produce wealth, emphasising the importance of integrity, hard work, and seeking God’s guidance. Passages like Proverbs 13:11 and Proverbs 21:5 highlight the rewards of diligence and careful planning in business. Other verses, like Colossians 3:23-24, encourage believers to work heartily as if working for the Lord, emphasizing the spiritual significance of work.
Here’s a more detailed look at relevant verses:
Verses emphasising diligence and hard work:
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” This verse directly connects diligence with prosperity.
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it,” according to Tithely. This emphasises the value of consistent effort and patience in building wealth.
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty,” says Tithely. This highlights the importance of planning and careful execution in business ventures.
Verses emphasising the spiritual aspect of work:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ,” according to the Christian Business Sisterhood. This verse connects work with serving God and receiving a reward from Him.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain,” says LinkedIn. This verse encourages perseverance in work, assuring that effort is not in vain when done for the Lord.
Verses emphasizing integrity and ethical business practices:
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.” This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and ethical conduct in business.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This verse, known as the Golden Rule, encourages fair and just treatment of others in business dealings.
“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.” This verse emphasizes the importance of fair wages and ethical treatment of employees.
Verses about seeking God’s guidance and provision:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This verse encourages reliance on God’s guidance in all aspects of life, including business decisions.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This verse encourages prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness, with the promise of provision.
(Courtesy Pic)
