PART 9 – HONESTY
Is it possible for an atheist to do well in business? Of course it is. It is overwhelmingly possible for a person of any philosophical or religious persuasion to do immensely well at business. It would be utterly absurd to suggest that only Christians should prosper in their commercial enterprises.
This is because, as article 1 explains, the laws of business are neutral. They are like natural laws. They work regardless of who uses them.
Just as any amateur can steer a car along a road without understanding how it works, any normal person can operate a business, if they know what basic things they need to do. Understanding the rules is not essential or even necessary.
Psalm 37 is a good example of what we just said. In this Psalm the writer is complaining about rich people. He sees how wicked people “bring their plans to pass”, they are “rich”, they are well armed, they have “great power” and they “spread themselves like a green tree”, and they are always well fed and happy, but all through the Psalm the writer also notes that the wicked have their day. They will not last.
If you take time to read the Psalm for yourself, you will also notice that the “righteous” person continues to what is right regardless of what the wicked person does.
The righteous person “delights in the Lord”, and is content with “a little” and never has to “beg for bread” and continues to be generous, and even after death the righteous looks forward to a resurrection, following which he will “inherit the earth.”
Applied to today, these words encourage those who run businesses (and of course everyone who doesn’t) to do what is right regardless of those around them who are corrupt. This is the challenge to Christian managers. Suppose the car sale yard down the street charges too much for poor quality vehicles, the Christian sale yard must charge a lower, and fairer price, even though it reduces the profit margin. Anyone who has seen ‘Flywheel’ the movie will know what we are talking about here.
Business practice must be open and honest. This includes advertising. For example, a while ago I heard an apology on a Christian radio station. A large and extravagant claim had been made for some product, and the apology was for exaggeration, which was “too much like the world” and bordered on lying. Businesses that make claims ought to make realistic and honest claims, not misleading and inflated claims.
Just sticking the word “Quality” on something means very little. Customers want to know what they are buying, and many appreciate it when the faults are also pointed out. Keep it open, keep it honest and God will smile on your business.
How to run a business using Bible principles – Introduction
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 1
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 2
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 3
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 4
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 5
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 6
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 7
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 8
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 10
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 11
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 12
How to run a business using Bible principles – Part 13