Copyright Page
2020 by William Douglas and Rubens Teixeira
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2345-3
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled MSG are from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NIrV are from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version. NIrV. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com. The NIrV and New International Readers Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Dedication
For Nayara, Lusa, Lucas, and Samuel
William Douglas
For my wife, Marta;
my children, Renan and Mateus;
my parents, Paulo and Darcy;
and my brother, Paulo Teixeira
Rubens Teixeira
Epigraph
You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
Matthew 22:29
Those who trust in the L ORD will prosper.
Proverbs 28:25
Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Epigraph
Introduction: What Is Partnership with God?
PART 1: LAWS CONCERNING FAITH
1. The Law of Faith
2. The Law of Prayer
3. The Law of Training
4. The Law of Well-Rewarded Affliction
5. The Law of the Garden
PART 2: LAWS CONCERNING EFFORT
6. The Law of Maximum Quality
7. The Law of the Extra Mile
8. The Law of Entrepreneurship
9. The Law of the Favorable Impression
10. The Law of Loving Leadership
PART 3: LAWS CONCERNING RIGHTEOUSNESS
11. The Law of Integrity
12. The Law of the Complete Set
13. The Law of Generous Resiliency
14. The Law of the Ten Steps
15. The Law of Helping Others
16. The Law of Dependence
17. The Law of Patience
18. The Law of Stewardship
19. The Law of Worship
20. The Law of Submission
PART 5: LAWS CONCERNING MIRACLES
21. The Law of Divine Intervention
22. The Law of Human Miracles
23. The Law of Induced Miracles
24. The Law of Partnership
25. The Law of Eternal Success
PART 6: THE SEVEN MISTAKES THAT GET IN THE WAY OF SUCCESS
26. The Mistake of Believing Ambition Is Sinful
27. The Mistake of Overestimating Fame, Power, and Wealth
28. The Mistake of Waiting for God to Do Everything
29. The Mistake of Thinking God Wont Do Anything
30. The Mistake of Believing Self-Help Slogans
31. The Mistake of Putting More Faith in Superstition Than Action
32. The Mistake of Thinking You Cant Mix Faith and Business
Conclusion: Your Opportunity to Live Well
Appendix: The 50 Biblical Laws
Notes
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
Introduction
What Is Partnership with God?
The highest heavens belong to the L ORD , but the earth he has given to mankind.
Psalm 115:16
Who wouldnt want to have Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, or Jorge Paulo Lemann as a business partner? Who wouldnt want to own a stake, however small, in one of their spectacular companies? It is inspiring to be around innovative people and ventures. Sometimes the most important thing is not the size of the business but its vision and mission.
If you think these examples are enticing, how would you react to the opportunity to become a partner with God? Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a part of his projects or to be able to count on him to develop your own? If you think partnership with God would be amazing, then this book may change your life.
God as Your Business Partner
In the world of business, it isnt easy to form a partnership with a successful business executive. You must bring a lot to offer your potential partner, such as capital or talent. To be Gods partner, you might assume that you would need to meet extremely high standards. Not so. God is willing to associate with those who dont seem to have anything to offer and even with those who have a disreputable background but wish to change. God values and invests in people. His projects are focused on people, not on real estate, products, or money. The most important thing to God is a persons commitment to Gods vision, mission, and values.
The Bible affirms Gods interest in walking alongside us and participating in our daily activities, whether they involve business matters or personal issues related to family or health. Some people, like the biblical character Jabez, simply ask God for help; they want God to support them without offering him anything in return (1 Chron. 4:910). Others show gratitude to God, like Jacob who promised to give back a tenth of all that God gave him (Gen. 28:2022).
Then there are those who ask God for nothing and offer him 100 percent of all they have, such as the apostle Peter, a fisherman who left everything to follow Jesus (Mark 10:28). In short, we all have the opportunity to associate with God in all areas of our lives.
Handing over your decisions and your convictions to Godin full or in parttakes a lot of faith. Faith is the belief that God will act, at the appropriate time, moved by immense wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty. You must have faith to pray, to remain in an unpleasant place, and to believe that God will change your situation at the opportune time, according to his plans.