Steward is founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT) in St. Louis, an information-technology (IT) company that sets up computer networks for the government and various Fortune 500 businesses such as General Motors Corporation and Boeing.

 

A rock of corporate integrity, Steward's company was identified by Black Enterprise magazine as the largest African-American-owned company in 2000, and Ebony magazine recognized him as one of the nation's 100 Most Influential Black Americans in May of 2002.

 

Steward co-authored Doing Business by the Good Book with prominent business author Robert L. Shook with the intention of getting men in the corporate world to seek guidance from the Bible.

 

"People know that biblical principles work," says Steward from his home in St. Louis. "And they would rather do business with people who ascribe to them."

 

Steward also believes he has been "blessed to be a blessing" to others, which is why he tithes and gives back to the community, serving on the board of 16 different charitable and civic organizations. He credits his faith as being the secret to his success.

 

Specifically, he cites Matthew 6:33: "'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well'" (NIV).

 

But Steward was not always prospering financially. He grew up 250 miles west of St. Louis in the rural town of Clinton, Mo., in a house that at one time did not have indoor plumbing. He was one of eight children in a working-class Christian home with little money.

 

"When you have limited resources you find creative ways to meet your needs," Steward says in a warm voice and calm demeanor that conveys a down-to-earth Midwestern attitude.

 

He remembers learning to kill and dress a chicken. Steward says those early experiences give him a sense of gratitude for all he has gained--and empathy for people who struggle to make ends meet.

 

After graduating with a business degree from Central Missouri State University, Steward struggled to find work. A few years went by before he finally landed a job with Missouri Pacific Railroad. He later moved on to Federal Express, where he was Salesman of the Year and a Hall of Fame employee.

 

But Steward wanted more than just plaques, so he started his own business.  He started Transportation Business Specialists and, a short time later, Transport Administrative Services, Inc. Both businesses used large computer networks to focus on finding inefficiencies in the rail and trucking industries. The companies merged in 1990 to form WWT.

 

WWT started with a few employees and $250,000. A few years later, the business was $3.5 million in debt and Steward's car was repossessed off the company parking lot.  During that time, Steward says he remained focused to "Seek first the kingdom of God," despite what other people were saying and the distraction from bill collectors.

 

Shortly after, he got the idea to set up computer networks for other companies. Steward landed contracts with the government and began to partner WWT with other successful IT firms. As WWT provided more organizations with Internet infrastructures and updated technology, their profits exploded beyond expectation.

 

In 2003, just 13 years later, WWT employed 450 people and pulled in $1.1 billion in sales.

 

Steward's Doing Business by the Good Book recounts the story of how his company rose above adversity by using biblical business principles.

 

"The business principles in the Bible are relevant today," Steward says. "And my biggest job is to serve the people of this organization."

 

He does that by providing the best healthcare, 401(k) plan, resources and facilities for his employees.

 

Ultimately, he hopes businessmen everywhere will go beyond his book and read the ultimate Good Book, the Bible.