Christian Worldview
Ethical Problems in Business
MBA 624
Week 2: Christian Worldview
Linda F. Delaney
Belhaven University, Memphis, TN
Introduction
While I was on a job interview for a national sales corporation, the interviewer asked a profound question. He asked, “What makes you think you can do this job.” My immediate response was, “I believe the universe is designed in such a manner that if I put forth the effort, it must yield to me.” I was offered the position of National Sales Trainer on the spot.
God has put in place laws and principles that have consequences whether we work with or against them. In short, one cannot jump from the tenth floor of a building and stop the drop simply because she changes her mind when she reaches the third floor. Once actions are put into place, reactions will follow. Hence, our actions are important and our morals, values and ethics will determine our thoughts and behaviors.
Biblical principles gleaned from Grudem and Ruddell
In Business for the Glory of God (pages 31, 41, 47, and 51), Grudem identifies four ethical conditions that are fundamentally good, but each presents a moral temptation. The situations are inequality of possessions, employment of people, earning a profit, and having money. Each circumstance can be manipulated in a way that is sordid or in a way to bring God Glory and further the Kingdom.
For example, having money is something that we all desire. Grudem clarifies that “while the love of money is evil, money itself is not inherently good or evil. Money is nothing more than a medium of exchange. Money provides people the opportunity to purchase something in God 's creation. In order to accurately and biblically take hold of this opportunity, one must begin with the foundation that nothing is owned unconditionally, but is simply given out by a benevolent God. Once realizing nothing is totally owned, only given by God, one sees that God is incomprehensibly wealthy and that having money is not
MBA 624
Week 2: Christian Worldview
Linda F. Delaney
Belhaven University, Memphis, TN
Introduction
While I was on a job interview for a national sales corporation, the interviewer asked a profound question. He asked, “What makes you think you can do this job.” My immediate response was, “I believe the universe is designed in such a manner that if I put forth the effort, it must yield to me.” I was offered the position of National Sales Trainer on the spot.
God has put in place laws and principles that have consequences whether we work with or against them. In short, one cannot jump from the tenth floor of a building and stop the drop simply because she changes her mind when she reaches the third floor. Once actions are put into place, reactions will follow. Hence, our actions are important and our morals, values and ethics will determine our thoughts and behaviors.
Biblical principles gleaned from Grudem and Ruddell
In Business for the Glory of God (pages 31, 41, 47, and 51), Grudem identifies four ethical conditions that are fundamentally good, but each presents a moral temptation. The situations are inequality of possessions, employment of people, earning a profit, and having money. Each circumstance can be manipulated in a way that is sordid or in a way to bring God Glory and further the Kingdom.
For example, having money is something that we all desire. Grudem clarifies that “while the love of money is evil, money itself is not inherently good or evil. Money is nothing more than a medium of exchange. Money provides people the opportunity to purchase something in God 's creation. In order to accurately and biblically take hold of this opportunity, one must begin with the foundation that nothing is owned unconditionally, but is simply given out by a benevolent God. Once realizing nothing is totally owned, only given by God, one sees that God is incomprehensibly wealthy and that having money is not
Bibliography: Grudem, W. (2003). Business for the Glory of God. Wheaton: Crossway Books. Ruddell, L. (2004). Business Ethics - Faith That Works. Houston: Halcyon Press Ltd.