I’ve written in the past that, under Biblical Law, the only justification for economic activity is to bless the covenant family. Not just yourself, but every economic decision should bless everyone who shares you faith. Granted, sometimes it’s just a matter of their indirect blessing from enhancing God’s glory, but that’s the whole point in the first place.
So in more secular terms, that means if you have a business, the whole purpose should be blessing people. Sure, pay yourself well for your hard work, but pay your people as much as you possibly can. At the same time, hire as many people as you possibly can. The idea is not to make some fiduciary profit. Indeed, you should avoid investors who don’t actually put work into the operation with their own hands. You should be very wary of making partners with people who don’t share your covenant faith.
You do realize, of course, that this kind of moral orientation is considered “bad business” in the West. It’s not the kind of thing likely to put you in the big money. Never be surprised when the world sets up barriers to shalom.
On the other hand, put your faith in the Father and His glory. What makes Him look good is a blessing. It’s in your best interest. Give Him room to make your business prosper or not, as He sees fit. The last thing we want to do is get entangled in materialism. Obey your convictions regardless of the worldly outcomes.
This is behind the recent purchase my wife and I made of a battered used car. By faith, we agreed it had potential, that the Lord would use it for His glory. That it means we’ll have to invest money and lots of hours with my hands is for God to worry about. We are trying to be obedient. Yes, it’s crazy on the face of it. Still, we expect to see His glory shine one way or another.
For those of you curious about this little project, you’ll find it covered on the forum. Somehow, this project should be a blessing to all of you in the long run.
May His glory shine in you.
Excellent observations, Ed. I’m deeply dismayed by the number of “Christian” businesses I’ve encountered whose business models and practices not only in no way differ from their non-believing competitors, but whose behavior is significantly more predatory. It is as if they believe in the complete separation of faith and commerce.
On the subject of businesses serving the covenant community, imagine the beauty and the power of covenant financial institutions (or groups of individual members of the community with the appropriate resources) whose purpose is to lend capital to other members of the covenant community for the purpose of launching productive enterprises. There is nothing more countercultural to th he current global financial cabal then this.
Agreed. There’s a whole range of things we should and could do with normal resources to bless a covenant community. This is precisely what the concept of covenant suggests.
Wow! I had just considered how I could better invest my little money. I will pray about it; investing in a convenantal institution where I would make a reasonable return would be far more rewarding. And by return, I mean at least make my money back. Until Father beckons me home, I will still have needs to take care of.