Business by the Book: A Fresh Take on How Fi Run Yuh Business

This week I want us to look at a fresh take on how we can run our business. In business, we often focus on the numbers — profits, growth, and the bottom line. But in Business by the Book, Larry Burkett challenges us to see business differently. He invites us to view it not just as a means to earn, but as an opportunity to serve others and live out Christian values. Don't get it wrong, this is not about ignoring financial success, however, it is about redefining it (success) to include integrity, service, and purpose.

Changing Di Game: Business as Ministry

Burkett’s central message is simple yet profound: yuh business a yuh ministry. In the context of business or everyday life, ministry refers to using your actions, skills, or platform to make a positive impact, help others, and live out values like love, integrity, and care. It’s about seeing your work or role as more than just a task or job but as an opportunity to uplift others and contribute to their well-being, reflecting a sense of purpose beyond personal gain.

For example, in Larry Burkett’s Business by the Book, he speaks of business as a ministry, meaning entrepreneurs can use their business as a tool to serve employees, customers, and the community while staying true to Christian values.

Imagine running your business — maybe it’s a little patty shop in Ochi or a chain of hardware stores across the island. Burkett would encourage you to see that business as more than just a way to make a living. It's a chance to serve your customers, create jobs in your community, and reflect values like fairness, honesty, and care in everything you do.

Instead of thinking, How much money mi a guh mek dis month?, Burkett would ask, How can my business make a difference in the lives of others? Maybe that means offering good wages to your workers, greeting every customer with a smile and genuine care, or giving back to your neighborhood by supporting a local program.

Key Ideas Fi Run Yuh Business Di Right Way

1. Serve Yuh People Dem: Burkett emphasizes that service should be at the heart of every business. If you own a restaurant, for example, it’s not just about serving good food; it’s about creating an experience where customers feel respected and appreciated. Think about it if you were a shop owner in Kingston and you know every regular by name, and you always throw in a little extra or ensure every customer feels special. That is service!!

Serving also means checking in on employees when life gets tough or helping them grow professionally. For the wider community, it could mean sponsoring the local football team or organizing back-to-school drives.

2. Integrity Inna Everything: Integrity, Burkett says, is the foundation of any successful business. It's about honesty in every transaction, even when no one is watching. This means you don't shortchange customers or overcharge them just because you can.

Picture this: You run a small auto shop, and someone comes in for repairs. Instead of fixing things that aren’t broken to pad the bill, you choose to be honest about what really needs fixing. Sure, you might earn less in the short term, but over time, your reputation as a trustworthy mechanic will bring people back again and again. Which is better, nuff money one time or repeat business and possible referrals for a lifetime?

3. Di Bold Move: Business as Ministry: This idea might seem strange at first, but Burkett’s point is that faith and work shouldn’t live in separate boxes. Your business can reflect your values — treating your workers well, being fair to your suppliers, and caring for customers as people, not just sales.

For instance, you could be a teacher who starts a tutoring business in Spanish Town. Instead of just focusing on profits, you can also mentor students, and provide them with life skills and encouragement. That’s business as a ministry — making an impact beyond the immediate service.

How Fi Put Dis Into Action

1. Fix Yuh Mission Statement: Burkett suggests refocusing your mission statement to reflect your values and not just your status or financial intent. For example, instead of saying, "Our goal is to be the top supplier in Jamaica," say something like, "Our mission is to serve our community with excellence, integrity, and care while uplifting those we work with."
2. Create Service-Oriented Policies: Make sure your policies reflect your commitment to people. If you run a small guesthouse or big hotel, whatever your business is, an example is for you to consider offering flexible hours for single parents on your team or setting up a “pay-it-forward” option for guests to support community projects.
3. Incorporate Prayer: Burkett talks about prayer as part of business. This could mean starting each day with a moment of reflection, seeking guidance before making big decisions, or praying for your staff’s well-being- this may be small to you, but it may make a big difference in their lives, sometimes employers have no clue the stresses their employees face. It’s not about being preachy but grounding your work in a sense of purpose.

Personal Reflections: Purpose Over Profit

When I read Burkett’s ideas, they hit close to home. I remember my dad, a small business owner in Mandeville, who ran a very small LPG gas delivery business with heart and integrity. While others in the industry often raised prices unfairly, he stayed committed to offering fair and honest rates, ensuring his customers could trust him to provide value without exploitation.

What made him truly special was his willingness to go the extra mile — literally. If someone needed gas late at night or in an emergency, he’d load up the truck and make the delivery, no matter the inconvenience. His customers knew they could count on him (Gassy/Missa Bromfield), and that kind of reliability made all the difference.

But his impact went beyond his customers. My dad often employed young men from the church or the community who needed a second chance or a guiding hand. He (fada/uncle/elda) gave them an opportunity to earn, learn, and grow, teaching them not just about work but about responsibility, respect, and the importance of helping others.

For my dad, business wasn’t just about profit; it was about serving others and making a difference. Whether it was fair prices, supporting the community, or going out of his way to help someone in need, he showed that true success is measured in the lives you touch and the trust you build.

That’s what Burkett’s talking about. Business isn’t just about transactions — it’s a way to serve, uplift, and create a legacy that goes beyond the dollars and cents.

A New Way Forward

Larry Burkett’s Business by the Book isn’t just for big executives or pastors; it’s for anyone who wants their business to reflect their values. Whether you're running a jerk chicken stall in Portmore or a tech startup in Kingston, his principles of service, integrity, and ministry can transform how you work and live.

Success a nuh just ‘bout di money inna yuh pocket, but di mark yuh leave pon people life. So next time yuh a reason ‘bout yuh business, ask yourself: Mi wah just mek money, or mi a guh mek a real difference?

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