Five years ago Dr. Keith Starcher, founder of LSBC, was sharing his vision for LSBC and he kept referring to one of the critical items in the inventory of most Beaver County, Pittsburgh, and Western Pa businesses that was being discounted in their success plans – Faith. Keith believed that western PA, Pittsburgh and Beaver County were about to experience an incredible economic revival brought about by God’s hand because of the long time Faithfulness of His people here.
At the time I was reading “Doing Business God’s Way” by Dennis Peacocke and I was excited that Dr. Starcher felt that these same biblical business principles were going to be lifted up in the future because of visible signs of success within our communities.
And so LSBC began to help existing businesses, mentor new owners, and teach business owners/leaders in the biblical principles that create a solid foundation for successful enterprise. My expectation through this whole process was – watch out – here comes the incredible growth that will have the rest of the world asking “How did you do it?” and “What’s the secret?”
Giving God the Glory, we would answer “There isn’t any way that a person could do this… look at this success… God’s hand is here” We were looking 10 or 20 years down the road and the longer we have worked starting new businesses and mentoring new owners and teaching in the market place the more it looked like God was really planning for a 20 year journey.
Recently though, I was preparing to give a presentation on local business to the Beaver Falls Rotary and BANG – it hit me... God’s plan has already been fulfilled. You see part of my presentation was to discuss some amazing new statistics regarding home prices in western PA (in the 1st Qtr of 2009 Pittsburgh home value appreciation leads the national average by about 10%) – yes – that’s right Pittsburgh home prices appreciated about 10% faster than the rest of the nation in the first quarter of 2009… And guess what – people all over the world are asking… Pittsburgh? Really Pittsburgh? What are they doing in Pittsburgh that could have allowed this to happen?
I believe God’s plan was to PROTECT us. While the rest of the nation was busy with get rich quick schemes and excessive leverage and gimmicks and in some cases outright lying and stealing, western PA, Pittsburgh, and Beaver County took care of business the old fashioned way, the biblical way, by paying cash for most things, borrowing for the right things and building relationships and businesses that honor God and the community of Faith.
So – Thanks Keith – for seeing it coming. As usual, I was willing but unable to really see what God really had in store. And thanks to all those faithful who have come before us doing business God’s way.
We need to enjoy the positive attention – and we need to give the glory to the One who deserves it - God. And maybe, just maybe, some of the rest of the nation will re-learn that work is biblical, God honors commitment, and get rich quick is another way to lose everything (including your soul).
Joe Nardone, LSBC Board Member and owner of
Computer Consultant Team, LLC and Expert Data Labs, LLC |
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At a county–wide LSBC meeting in April 2007, Dr. Keith Starcher, the founder of Leaders Serving Beaver County, spoke on “True North Wisdom” All of those in attendance went back to their offices/places of business carrying a small stone with a black arrow drawn on it. We were all challenged by Dr. Starcher to keep the stone on our desk with the arrow pointing north— to remind us that true north wisdom, not worldly wisdom but spiritual , heavenly wisdom is what we are to seek in the marketplace.
Dr. Starcher shared that in the third chapter of the book of James heavenly wisdom is from above and is pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, willing to yield to others, full of mercy and good deeds, shows no favoritism, and is always sincere. Always seeking what Dr. Starcher calls “True North Wisdom” will allow us to stand out in the marketplace! What a challenge though. He encouraged us to take our Sunday beliefs and attitudes and carry them with us into the workweek. We must “walk the talk”.
If anyone still has the “True North Wisdom” stone pointing north on their desk it probably gets bumped and moved around and you have to set it right. It’s a great reminder that we need to maintain heavenly wisdom in our businesses while always realizing that God is in charge! |
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