Christian Business And Ethics
Luke 19:12 -13 - Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas and said to them, 'Do business till I come."
Isaiah 48:17 - Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer and The Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
Psalm 35:27 - Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
THE SECULAR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Running a business does not mean an absolute guarantee of success, because there are many factors in life which cannot always be anticipated, such as for example war, fire, floods, etc. A business is a great responsibility. It requires a lot of effort, management, and time. A successful business does not happen by accident, but rather by the concerted effort and skills of its owners, managers, and employees.
All aspects of any business organization and individual employment should be governed by integrity and honesty.
God has built moral laws into the world and these moral laws are just as real and powerful as any of the other laws God has placed within the universe.
These moral laws operate just as reliably as all the other spiritual and natural laws and no person is immune from their effects. Applying these laws leads to success and ignoring or rejecting them leads to failure.
Another aspect of the moral law of God is that it is universal. It works for all people, for all cultures, and at all times. It was given to man for a framework in which to live successfully.
It must also be noted that business is a major social institution. Society will reward companies that keep promises and are honest, but will punish enterprises that regularly miss deadlines, produce substandard products, and are unethical in dealing with their customers.
There is no force to keep leaders ethical. Doing the right thing ethically may not be in the best interest of an individual or an organization.
Unfortunately, even those who profess to accept a certain ethic are frequently unwilling to pay the price. The temptation for material gain can outweigh all of these motivations for integrity. It seems that the current worldview deems that the only wrong thing about shady business dealings and immoral workplace ethics is in being exposed.
Employees are under constant pressure from employers to ensure that the organization achieves maximum profitability. They require that everything possible must be done to enhance this objective. This may mean applying unethical methods to gain an unfair advantage over other competitors.
Most secular business owners are not interested in the personal moral values of their employees and feel that they have no right to interject personal values into corporate matters.
Good workplace ethics is an extension of the personal standards inherent in the people who make up the workplace.
Companies can enhance their image and performance by investing into employee development through ethical training.
Honesty is not subject to criticism in any culture. Business ethics are essential in guiding employees and managers in their actions. Most often people exhibit character, integrity, loyalty, respect, and ethics as a matter of personal practice.
Businesses should take every opportunity to implement ethical practices and to introduce incentives for those who have a good work ethic. Employees who are corrupt destroy the profitability of any business. Business entrepreneurs who are dishonest can ruin the reputation of the business thus reducing its viability and effectiveness.
The value of the products and services a company offers says more to the public about the real character of the company and its people than perhaps any other aspect of the company’s profile.
Repeat business comes with trust which is won by quality products at fair prices. A business cannot run indefinitely if it is based on corrupt practices.
CORRUPTION
Psalm 14:3 - They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
Leviticus 19:35-36 - You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight or volume. You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
It is hard to understand how saved individuals can end up involved in corruption. Although many cases of corruption involve behavior that anyone should know is wrong, it’s not always so clear cut.
Circumstances like group pressures, organizational structures, fear, and temptation can contribute to a person lowering their standards. Perhaps an individual also wants to avoid conflict. Understandably, being a whistleblower can ruin a person’s career. This causes many people to keep quiet.
Many people think they will be happier with more material gain and less of a good conscience.
Sadly, people do become comfortable with actions when they occur in small steps that they would never allow if these happened all at once.
Once these actions take hold, they are harmful to the organization and to the individuals involved.
Some people believe that an organization cannot survive unless there is a certain amount of cheating. The problem is magnified when the unethical players are in management.
People tend to be most comfortable in organizations where ethical standards are similar to theirs. Those who are opposed to unethical behavior may leave either by choice or they could be asked to leave.
An ethical culture in which honesty is normal and in which cheating is not, can go a long way toward minimizing corruption. It has to be very clear to the employee that the culture does not allow cheating.
Corruption is less likely if employees feel comfortable speaking up.
Even though people can be easily corrupted, they still know right from wrong. Often people who are engaged in wrongdoing do not talk much about it to family and friends because they know it is not right.
Competitive advantage should not be obtained by stealing information and bribery. Costs of dishonesty include turnover of honest employees and pilfering by dishonest employees. There is also an increased cost to the organization of increased monitoring of employees.
People have to be held accountable for actions but punishing wrongdoers should be accompanied by an examination of the organizational structure that contributed to the problem. Simply replacing the people is not enough.
STEWARDSHIP
Luke 12:42-44 - Who then is this faithful and wise steward whom his master will make ruler over his house and to give him their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes, truly I say to you that he will make him ruler over all he has.
Stewardship is managing the resources that belong to another. The essential idea of stewardship is trust. Not that the steward trusts the owner but that the owner trusts the steward. Stewards are entrusted to care or manage the resources that do not belong to the steward. Faithful stewards manage the resources not for themselves, but for the purposes of the one who has entrusted them.
All believers are stewards of the resources which God has entrusted to them such as time, talent, abilities, possessions, and money.
Stewards give an account to God on how they have used His resources.
God is the owner of all things and has temporarily trusted these resources to others and they should use God's resources to advance His priorities and not their own.
Biblical stewardship requires that a Christian views money differently from the way the secular world views it. The secular world equates affluence with success and happiness. Therefore, society constantly struggles to acquire as much wealth as possible.
Stewardship means making the best possible use of and conserving scarce resources and is a vital objective from both a corporate and an individual perspective. An employee should be obedient to their employers and be good stewards of the organization’s resources entrusted to them.
APPLYING GODLY ETHICAL STANDARDS
Many people think of the Bible as a book of spiritual advice, but it contains many true statements about economics and has a wealth of good advice on how to run a business.
Many principles used in businesses today can be traced to the Bible and play a valuable role both in society and in today’s workplace.
Employers and employees consciously or unconsciously integrate Biblical principles with business practices.
The foundation of a good business is made up of a workable business plan, honesty, trust, integrity, and hard work. These core principles are also Biblical. It is not difficult to see that these Christian policies have been instilled into major business policies today.
Implementing Christian ethical business practices may cause a company to lose money in the short-term, but they will reap benefits for the long-term. Labeled as such or not, Bible-based principles can be actively applied in the workplace within reason.
Many corporate executives do not believe in mixing work and religion. However, success and profitability can be realized by incorporating Biblical principles personally and corporately.
Many employers and employees alike argue that religion in the workplace hinders workflow and work performance and that incorporating Biblical principles is not a necessary part of conducting business. Activities such as praying before work, Bible study, and witnessing are seen as averting attention away from the purpose of work.
Christian ethics do not wish to segregate the Christians from the non-Christians. Businesses therefore should offer personalized levels of religion in the work place.
THE CHRISTIAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Early Christians were able to fulfill their ministries and conduct business at the same time because their business activities took them away from home to places where the Gospel had not been preached.
These business people played a vital role in expanding God’s Kingdom to previously unreached places. These believers fulfilled a dual function by being ministers of the Gospel as well as business people.
Today, Christian men and women also fulfill these two functions as they connect business and ministry functions. These people are able to witness to others in the secular world through their business activities.
Under normal circumstances these people would not be reached.
A Christian business is also one that is created for other Christians or for people who specifically seek out Christians. Because of the principles of religious and moral integrity, people may consider a Christian-based business as trustworthy, even if they are not personally familiar with the owners.
One may wonder if business management based on Biblical principles can survive economically. A Christian business may attract profitable business opportunities simply because it is operated by believers. It must be kept in mind that some potential customers may be wary because they are afraid they will receive a sermon while they shop.
The Bible teaches that wealth is a result of God’s blessing and there in nothing wrong with obtaining wealth if it is pursued ethically. There is a warning though of complacency which can lead to pride and forgetting God.
Ethical standards created by man can also be changed by man. By contrast, Biblical business ethics rests on values that are not subject to negotiation. Any business would benefit greatly if God is placed as the head of that business and that honest Biblical principles are applied.
Instead of seeking personal gain, the priority should be to glorify God with every aspect of the business. Everything must be done within the boundaries of God's Word and every activity should bring glory to God.
When it comes to running a business, two choices can be made. The business will either run on Kingdom or worldly principles.
These Biblical principles may indeed collide with other established standards. Adherence to Biblical ethical standards in business has its price. In many instances, not all business opportunities can be explored.
But in the long term, it has been proved that adherence to Biblical values will result in sustainable economic success. In practice it has been shown that there is a correlation between economic productivity and influence of Christian values.
Christians should promote business ethics not only because good ethics is good business, but because they are ethically required to do so in accordance with the Word of God. In business, Christians must be prepared to pay the costs of ethical behavior.
The costs may sometimes seem high, but that is the price one must pay when applying Christian ethical conduct in business.
INDIVIDUAL WORKPLACE ETHICS
2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
In the Bible it is taken for granted that work is ordained of God.
Christian ethics cannot be applied only after working hours. Christians have a personal responsibility in regard to workplace ethics.
Christians serve God by carrying out their secular responsibilities ethically. Christians who have a good work ethic are a testimony to the world and represent the true nature and character of Christ in the secular work environment.
To reflect Christ in any business environment means to do things in such a way that is consistent with Christ’s character which makes Christ look good in the sight of others.
Being a Christian and implementing business principles are inseparable.
It is impossible to separate a true believer from their faith. When they feel as though they have to leave a major part of themselves outside when they come to work, it negatively affects their motivation and productivity.
They operate by a double-standard and compromise their true character just to fit into the corporate environment. A company would be better served if employees were allowed to exercise their character and integrity in the workplace and beyond.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN BUSINESS
Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
Running a business is not a matter of opening a shop, putting some things into it, and hoping people come and buy. It is an intelligent activity, which involves a lot of planning. It takes foresight, wise decisions, and consideration of many factors such as:
* A clear and concise mission statement and business plan.
* Integrating prayer into the company activities.
* Commitment to excellence and integrity.
* Generous and giving.
* Accountable relationships and checks and balances in place to ensure responsible business practices.
* Consistent commitment to personal spiritual growth.
* In partnership with the Lord and willing to place God’s priorities first.
* Persevering even under difficult political and economic conditions.
* A positive attitude.
* Anticipating changes that are needed and making adjustments especially in changing market conditions.
* Keeping abreast with advances in technology.
* Good interpersonal skills and able to get along well with other people.
* Withstanding criticism.
* Strong communications skills.
* Being resourceful, creative, and proactive.
* Respect for money and God-given resources.
* Organizing business ventures and assuming the risk for it.
* Formulating and implementing short and long term goals.
* Seeing opportunity in setbacks or unexpected events by targeting particular occupations or industries and looking for untapped niches.
* Never blaming others for their situation.
* Taking responsibility for their actions
* Doing whatever it takes to improve the business or themselves.
* Continually looking for the next big challenge.
* Exuding confidence.
* Professional and well-groomed.
* Investing time building mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships.
* Saving and investing money.
* Committed to continuous self-improvement in terms of technology and business skills.
* Committed to working hard and for long hours to achieve goals.
* Willing to take important and difficult decisions.
* Willing to take risks.
* Having a fierce determination to succeed.
* Slow to anger.
* Working at building good relationships and useful network contacts.
* Demonstrating flexibility.
* Self-motivated.
* Willing to tackle new tasks and develop new skills.
* Willing to do any type of work as long as it is honest and ethical.
* Staying focused on business goals and not distracted into other unproductive or unrelated activities.
* Complying with the law of the land and all other legal requirements.
* Trustworthy.
* Good reputation.
* Serving others.
* Providing a quality service or product for a fair price.
* Honoring all creditors.
* Treating employees fairly and understanding the worth of its hired help.
* Treating customers fairly.
* Honoring God.
* Operating under the guidelines of Biblical ethical and moral principles.
* Seeing opportunities in the world to bring healing, redemption, and transformation.
* Portray the true nature and character of God.
* Making decisions on the basis of God's Word and not on circumstances, feelings, or what is acceptable to society.
* Leading others to the Lord.
* Paying fair wages and treating employees with respect and dignity.
* Tithing into God’s Kingdom.
* Providing finances for the poor and needy.
* Providing employment opportunities to other believers.
* Providing resources for personal development of staff.
* Aware of how results are obtained and will choose the course of highest integrity in guiding their affairs and avoid all malpractices in order to maintain credibility in the marketplace.
