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Rahab, a Cannanite woman was an entrepreneur who ran a type of hotel business. This woman of the Bible would have been a non-traditional business for women during these days. You can find Rahab mentioned in several areas of the Bible but her main story is found in Joshua 2:1-22. Rahab was a quick thinking business woman who kept her ears open and communicated with her customers. This is how she learned vital information that eventually allowed her to save her life and the life of her family when her homeland was captured.
Rahab's story is a powerful one of a Bible business woman who experienced the grace of God in a dangerous situation because of her wise actions. As a result, she is listed in the genealogy of Christ. She has much to share with the modern woman of God in business. Here are seven tips from the Bible woman, Rahab for today's Christian business woman.
1. Succeed in spite of your past. Rahab was a woman who was given a negative label in the Bible, probably for her lifestyle or other reasons that are not described. Still, she had the courage to successfully operate a non-traditional business. Many women might be labeled with a negative reputation or called names that may or may not be deserved. For some, it can mean pulling back from society to avoid being hurt or ridiculed. But God is bigger than a title or a regretful past. If you have a calling on your life to operate a business, don't let a shaky past keep you from a successful future.
2. Learn to communicate with others. Rahab kept her ears and eyes open while operating her business. When customers came in she watched them; when they spoke she listened as much as needed. That is how she saved her life and the life of her family members. Business women must know how to watch and listen while doing business. Pay attention to others so you understand their professional needs and can gain necessary information for your business.
3. Gain negotiation skills. Rahab knew how to negotiate with tough soldiers in a life and death situation. Having operated a non-traditional business in her city, she had gained skills in making deals with all types of people. Business might require engaging in tough talks with competitors or adversaries. Practice the skills of making right deals so you will be ready to use them when necessary.
5. Be flexible and ready to change. Rahab could have tried to ignore the information she learned about the upcoming attack on her city or refused to believe that the Army of the true God would succeed. Instead she quickly decided to change her comfortable life to respond to what was going to happen. A business woman of God should be flexible. She should be willing to make changes in her life and business according to the leading of God even when it first seems difficult to do.
6. Remember your priorities when things change. Rahab could have saved herself and never looked back. But she had her priorities in order; she remembered her family and saved all of them too. Very difficult circumstances can create a lot of stress. It is possible to forget your priorities during these times if you are not clear on your values. What would you do in the event of a highly stressful situation? A smart business woman thinks through various ways she can avoid being caught off-guard by unexpected events that can happen in business.
7. Use resources you have. Rahab used plants she had on her rooftop do what she promised in protecting the Israelite spies from capture by soldiers. What do you have around your location that might seem useless or without multiple uses? Take a new look at raw materials to see possible creative uses for them or consider creative marketing strategies to get business moving. You might have access to more inventory, ideas and potential than you first imagined to conduct your business in new ways.
Rahab is a woman of the Bible who used strong business skills in a time of trouble. She offers lessons for the modern business woman on how to think quickly when a bad situation seems almost impossible to overcome.
Consuelo Meux, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of the National Association of Christian Women in Business (NACWIB). Do you want to learn more about Bible women and what they have to share with women of God today? Then get my free 26 session ecourse "Business Women of the Bible" at http://www.nacwib.com/. Also, get access to a complete Master Training System for Christian business professionals at the Training Grounds at http://www.nacwib.com/join