My second Faith & Family Business series considers the book of Proverbs. Though written thousands of years ago, these proverbs still have a timeliness and power today. My aim is to consider these maxims in the context of our current experience of living and working with family members. Thanks for your feedback and sharing this post with others.
Our last few reflections focused on the wisdom in Proverbs as applied to conflicts we face in the family business. For the next two weeks I’d like us to consider the metaphor of a house as mentioned in Chapter 24. Consider this verse:
Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. (Prov. 24:27)
In agriculture, the work “outside” or “in the field” is most urgent. Rushing to harvest before a hail storm, or preparing the equipment and fields for timely planting, can mean the difference between success and failure. Building the house, on the other hand, represents a different, longer-term focus: protection, a shelter from the elements, a place to rest from the work of the day and prepare for tomorrow. Get the important, immediate work done! Then focus on the long-term structure that supports you and your work.
In any business, the first job is serving or producing for the customer. It’s what pays the bills. But in a family business, working “on” the business, or what the Scripture for today calls "building your house" is just as important as working “in” the business. The culture, systems, policies, and structure support the daily work of the company. Just as a well-built house lasts a long time, care given to the communication, relationships, and practices in the family business has a multi-generational impact.
What are the urgent activities in your organization? What longer-term, structural elements of your family business do you need to work on?