These 110 verses help to establish the biblical basis for the nine PSALM business distinctives.
(All Scripture references are from The New International Version.)
1. Pioneer in hard places.
- Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Romans 15:20 — It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
- 2 Corinthians 10:15–16 — Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.
- Romans 10:14–15 — How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
2. Share the Good News far and wide.
- Matthew 28:19–20 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
- Colossians 4:5–6 — Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- 1 Peter 3:15–16 — But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
- Matthew 13:23 — The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
- Mark 4:20 — Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.
- Acts 6:7 — So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
- Acts 12:24 — But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.
- Acts 19:20 — In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
3. Bless marriages, families, and communities.
- Psalms 82:3–4 — Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
- Zechariah 7:9–10 — This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.”
- Isaiah 1:17 — Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
- Genesis 12:3 — All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
- 2 Corinthians 9:8, 11 — And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work… You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
- 1 Timothy 6:17–18 — Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
4. Establish genuine businesses.
- Proverbs 10:9 — Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
- Proverbs 13:5–6 — The righteous hate what is false… Righteousness guards the person of integrity.
- Proverbs 20:7 — The righteous lead blameless lives…
- Psalms 41:12 — Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
- Psalms 84:11 — The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
- Proverbs 2:7–8 — He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
- Proverbs 12:22 — The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
5. Pursue profitable businesses.
- Deuteronomy 8:18 — But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
- Proverbs 10:22 — The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
- Deuteronomy 28:8 — The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
- Deuteronomy 28:12 — The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10–11 — Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
- Deuteronomy 29:9 — Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.
- Joshua 1:8 — Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
- Psalms 25:12–13 — Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.
- Psalms 1:1–3 — Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
- Proverbs 8:17–18 — I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
6. Affirm a small and profitable approach.
- Zechariah 4:10 — Who dares despise the day of small things?
- Proverbs 13:11 — Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
- Ecclesiastes 4:6 — Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
- Proverbs 15:16–17 — Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
- Proverbs 16:8 — Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
- Psalms 37:16 — Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.
- Proverbs 21:5 — The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
- Ecclesiastes 11:6 — Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
7. Integrate biblical values into business activities.
- Deuteronomy 4:5–6 — See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
- Psalms 119:98 — Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
- Psalms 119:104 — I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
- Psalms 19:7 — The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Psalms 101:2 — I will be careful to lead a blameless life… I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
- Psalms 119:1 — Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 — Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
- Philippians 3:17 — Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
- Philippians 4:9 — Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9 — For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
- 2 Timothy 2:2 — And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
- Psalms 15:1–5 — LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
- 1 Corinthians 1:8 — He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
8. Collaborate with others.
- Romans 12:16–18 — Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
- Psalms 133:1 — How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
- Romans 12:10 — Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
- 1 Peter 3:8 — Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
- Romans 14:19 — Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- 1 Corinthians 16:14 — Do everything in love.
- Philippians 2:1–2 — Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
- John 13:34–35 — A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
9. Pray about everything.
- Philippians 4:6–7 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 6:18 — And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Timothy 2:1–4 — I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
- Colossians 4:2 — Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
- Romans 12:12 — Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- James 1:5 — If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
- Proverbs 2:3–6 — Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- Psalms 17:6 — I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.