Many modern day companies are incorporated. You see them listed with an, Inc. or a LLC, etc. after their name. These companies are legally treated as self contained entities. In other words they are treated like a human in that they are distinct and separate from the owner and other companies. That’s one reason why companies incorporate. If there is a lawsuit the company is liable, not the owner. So I ask myself, “If this is true, why can’t we apply Bible principles to business, just as we do to ourselves”. Well, we can, and this is what this paper is all about.
I was a consultant in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech and Medical Device industries for many years. I know how some companies are run. I remember one time when I sat among the board members at a dinner when the CEO announced to all of us that “This company will be above board in everything it does.” I was stunned and later told the CEO and board members that I really appreciated what was said. As I was speaking, I looked at the faces around the table and saw that not all appreciated or understood what was said. Among many leaders in Companies and even in Government it is the Company or State that receives first priority. The bottom line is number one to the sacrifice of anything that gets in the way. So sad.
Often, when I was changing consulting projects, I would go into my cubical, office or whatever was offered, and would throw my Bible down on my desk. It was the first thing I would unpack. This was often followed by a jar of Tums (so be it). The Bible, however, was to be my guide. God was my CEO. Everything I did was to be, “above board”.
Where to Begin
You can look at the 10 Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Fruit of the Spirit and the remainder of the Bible and get many hints on how business should be conducted. But, do not randomly apply Biblical principles without giving them prayer and understanding. There is much to say. I don’t want to write a long paper. You won’t read it if I did. Let me touch on just a few principals that I feel are most important.
Ethics
The Century Dictionary defines Ethics as a Noun and goes on to describe ethics.
1. The science of right conduct and character; the science which treats of the nature and grounds of moral obligation and of the rules which ought to determine conduct in accordance with this obligation; the doctrine of man’s duty in respect to himself and the rights of others.
2. The whole of the moral sciences; natural jurisprudence.
3. A particular system of principles and rules concerning moral obligations and regard for the rights of others, whether true or false; rules of practice in respect to a single class of human actions and duties: as, social ethics; medical ethics.
I thought it very interesting that moral’s, above, are called a science. When did that happen? Is the Bible and the application of Righteousness now a science?
Ethics Involves Foresight
You can not just read and follow the Bible without reason and thinking about what you are doing. Remember, Satan knows the Word and will use it against you just as he did against Jesus when Jesus was tempted on the mountain. Blind faith is plain stupid. There’s no such thing. If you don’t really know God and just follow words in a book it means little. You must have a relationship with Jesus / God, and that’s a two way street.
On one of my last contracts with a Bio-tech firm in Oregon my superiors and myself were blind-sighted by an ethical dilemma. We had a great Bio-engineered product that was going through Clinical studies in England and elsewhere. This product, if successful, would actually cure the effects of Muscular Dystrophy in young boys. What a product! Our trials went successfully to the extent that we could end the program and start filing our FDA application for a new drug, an ANDA. At a meeting in England we announce our triumph to our audience and investors with much pride. Later, right after the meeting, an irate mother went up to the CEO of the company and said, “You have just killed my son!” Wow!
This is what happened. The monies for the trials had come to an end with successful results. However, that was the point. The monies came to an end. The trials would end. Where were the parents to get continued treatment for their children. The drug we developed was not approved and we did not have FDA approval for continued use. Her son would soon die, along with others, in much pain
Foresight in business as well as in Biblical applications in business is an absolute (click here to see my Blog on Absolutes).
To ease your mind, the above scenario did come to a happy ending. Through much work, monies for continued treatment of the test subjects above did appear, along with approval for continued use of the drug. The point I’m making is that Ethics and applying Bible principles to business requires: insight, reasoning, foresight and much thought.
Do Not Lie
To protect the company, one will lie. To protect yourself, one will lie. To promote your point of view, one will lie. Most all advertising is a lie and employs sexual resources and other sinful means to promote their merchandise. Sex sells. Much competition involves lying and sex and seldom looks to helping another but serves self (the Inc.) only. This is one reason I seldom watch sports. There is more hate, sex and fighting involved than in love and joy of the game. One’s Yes must become Yes and one’s No must become No. Never, ever lie. To see my Blog on “Sin” click here.
Truth Must Prevail
Often Truth is misunderstood. It is welcomed as long as it benefits the hearer and/or promotes immediate gratification. I like the parable of the hireling in Matthew 20: 1-16
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’”
There is a book written by Chin-Ning-Chu, called “Thick Face Black Heart” in which this very point is discussed in detail. In this book Thick Face means shamelessness and Black Heart means ruthlessness. In the World we live in, these conditions are projected as being absolutely necessary for success. But, this is only true if the conditions incorporate Biblical principals.
The Parable above is very Christian. Your Yes is Yes and your No is No. The landowner is doing exactly what he said he would do. The bad feelings of the workers above are self-centered and full of jealousy. The Parable represents Thick Face. Shameless in its intent as in, what did the landowner do wrong? Nothing.
Do What You Say You Are Going To Do
Vacillating between yes and no, will cause both your boss and your employees mistrust and give them the impression that you don’t know what you are doing. Probably true.
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37)
What Do Others Say About Ethics
There are many Christian books that cover many scriptures. One you may want to read is a small book called “Jesus CEO” by Laurie Beth Jones. In this book Jesus offers a balanced leadership. Look at these comments as an example of Jesus’s balanced Leadership (click here for more information from Laurie’s book.)
1. Leaders must share information and subsequent authority that goes with it. (Even in sports, being a superstar means “team” playing.)
2. Jesus knew that the best way to conquer fear was to face forward. (With the right plan, never give up.)
3. Even though Jesus was a teacher, He refused to engage in meaningless debates with people who wanted not to learn but argue. (Other people most always want to complete in leadership. They seldom share plans or ideas. But they will glory in their victories. A good leader will be able to get them to work together and work toward a common goal.)
4. And, Jesus always spoke loving, powerful and confident words about Himself. People who succeed speak well of themselves to themselves. (Know who you are in Christ if you want to success.)
5. Leaders must have, not only vision and communication skills, but also tremendous personal resolve.
“Without revelation (a vision) people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.” (Proverbs 29:18)
Supporting Scriptures (Just a few to get you started)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
1. Never work halfheartedly but work diligently with purpose.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4)
2. If you follow Biblical principles in all you do you will be rewarded accordingly.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
3. You must trust in the Lord above all others. Do not be afraid to make your stand known, if not by words then by deeds.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10)
3. A good worker is worthy of a good wage with kind recognition. It will spread to others accordingly.
“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” (James 5:4)
“One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.” (Proverbs 22:16)
4. Honesty is always the best policy whether it be at home or in business, with employee or with family and friends.
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Proverbs 11:3)
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9)
5. Treat your employees well and they will support and serve you well.
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” (Leviticus 19:13)
“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” (Jeremiah 22:13)
6. The traits below are easily seen, not only by God but by your employees, neighbors, friends, and family as well.
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
7. If you work as to the Lord then you must trust in Him also, that He will accomplish His will.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23)
8. The World may tell you one thing (your boss, the CEO) but God, another. Because of today’s environment and inclination toward evil this is often difficult. However, your choice has been made for you. Be brave and faithful and do God’s will. Dare to be different.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” (Proverbs 16:8)
Conclusion
There is so much to say. There is so much I can write. You have a book, a guide, a plan for mankind. Read it, use it, follow knowing this:
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)
“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Never compromise.
Enough said.
“Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
