Christians in

BusinessSummer Series

Berry’s Chapel Church of Christ

July 22 & 29, 2009

A Crisis

“We are not in a crisis of economy,

we are in a crisis of integrity.”

~ Mike Huckabee

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009 Slide 2

Secrets to Wealth… Does God have a plan

and purpose for the marketplace?

Does a Biblical approach to the marketplace differ from what the world teaches?

Slide 3Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 4

Secrets to Wealth… Is a Biblical approach

distinctive when compared to ethical atheism?

How would you expect Demetrius’ “secrets” course to change, if at all?

Would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 5

Business and Competition The Golden Rule of Business

Do unto others as they would do unto you… Just do it first

He who has the gold rules Nothing personal, it’s just business Survival of the fittest; it’s kill or be killed;

you have to destroy the competition

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 6

Christ and Competition* Christ resists competition

Competitive desires (I win, you lose) and Christ-likeness are inherently, irreconcilably opposed.

Christians who advocate competition are doing so only as a pretense to sanctify their desire for worldly pleasure and success.

Christians should avoid the entrapping lure and attendant perils of competition.

*From paper & presentation by Sharon Johnson & Galen Smith

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 7

Christ and Competition* Christ and competition in partnership

The Bible commends competition as an exciting condition to be embraced.

Christians can and should compete, and doing so helps us grow spiritually, physically, socially, and economically.

Successful (principled) competition is seen as a reward and blessing from God.

*From paper & presentation by Sharon Johnson & Galen Smith

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 8

Christ and Competition* Christ reforms competition

Christ comes to competition as a transformer, seeking to rediscover God’s design for competition.

Many of the practices of competition are “of the world” (cheating, win-at-any-cost, etc.) and are to be challenged.

Christians are called to engage as God’s warriors to reclaim competition for His glory.

*From paper & presentation by Sharon Johnson & Galen Smith

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 9

Christ and Competition* Christ and competition in paradox

Christians are to engage in the paradoxical call to be “in” but not “of” competition.

Participating in competition where we are called (and gifted) to, yet fully knowing that competitive situations may bring tension when the “rules of the game” challenge our Christian values.

Christians are called to “witness for Christ”. For some, participating in competition is the best way to further that cause. Business is seen as a mission field.

*From paper & presentation by Sharon Johnson & Galen Smith

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 10

You and Competition What is your perspective? How do you resolve the question of

Christians and competition, Christians and business?

How do you defend your position to those who do not share your Christian faith?

How do you defend your position to those who do share your Christian faith?

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Approaches…Choose One Lift Yourself Up

WIIFM Don’t let them forget

who’s boss; don’t show weakness

Always be on the lookout for a better job

Make sure others see your good works

Humble Yourself The Golden Rule Be a servant-leader Serve where you are;

have faith that God will raise leaders

Give God the glory for all good things (also give credit to others)

Slide 11Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Approaches…Choose One Lift Yourself Up Humble Yourself

Slide 12

You choose which one will receive your focus and energy.

God will take care of the other one.

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Finding the Right Balance

Slide 13

Family

Work

Religion

Personal

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Finding the Right Balance The secret to balance in your life…

You will never achieve it God doesn’t call us to a balanced life; He calls us

to a fully committed life Romans 12:1-2 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 6:19-24 Matthew 10:37-39

Slide 14Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

The Integrated Life Colossians 3:23 Colossians 3:17 The Practice of the Presence

of God, Brother Lawrence Your career cannot be

neutral…it must be a God thing

Glorify God through…

Slide 15Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

A Look at Ethics in Business

Slide 16Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Ethics Motivations based on ideas of right and wrong A system of moral principles A set of principles of right conduct The discipline dealing with what is good and

bad and with moral duty and obligation Knowing the difference between right and wrong

and choosing to do what is right

Slide 17Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Business Ethics

Slide 18Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Ethical Framework Spiritual Integrity: Can the decision be

made and implemented without violating the will of God? Will taking this action, or not taking this action, cause me to sin? Will it cause others to sin? The Greatest Commandments (Matt. 22:36-38) The Golden Rule (Matt. 22:39) Man’s law (Rom. 13:1)

Slide 19Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Ethical Framework (continued)

Distributive Justice: Never take any action that would harm the least among us, those with the least income, education, wealth, competence, influence, or power. Special concern for the poor; for those who can

never repay you (Luke 14:13-14) Love all people; don’t treat the rich better than

the poor (James 2:1-9)

Slide 20Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Ethical Framework (continued)

Contributive Liberty: Never take any action that would interfere with the rights of everyone – not just the poor, the uneducated, and the weak – to develop their skills to the fullest. The Golden Rule In concert with distributive justice, consider the

admonition of the Hippocratic Oath – first do no harm

Slide 21Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Ethical Framework (continued)

Deontology (universal duties): Take no action that you would not be willing to see that others, faced with the same or an equivalent situation, should also be free or even forced to take. Treat each person as an end in himself or herself, worthy of dignity and respect, never as a means to your own ends. We can only speculate about the outcome

(utilitarianism), but if we are honest with ourselves, intentions can be known.

Slide 22Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Ethical Framework (continued)

Teleology (utilitarianism): Achieve the greatest good for the greatest number (or the converse, suffer the least harm for the least number) Count the cost (Luke 14:28-33) Outcome orientation (Mark 8:36); points us back

to spiritual integrity

Slide 23Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Living an Ethical Life Our focus should be on a life that is a

product of our faith, not a life governed by application of an ethical model. Our daily walk The thousands of small decisions that reflect

who we are and whose we are Spiritual integrity We need to decide today how we are going to

live tomorrow - avoid making decisions in the heat of the moment

Slide 24Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Decide Today Will you obey the laws of the land? Will you always tell the truth? Will you miss worship opportunities to work? To

play? Will you avoid situations that can lead to

temptation or the appearance of impropriety? Do you chose to live a disciplined life? Whom do you serve?

Slide 25Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 26

Is Right Always Obvious?

Looting 2 days after hurricane Katrina Reporter: “Don’t you think looting is wrong?” Looter: “Naw, if it was wrong the police would be

stopping us.”

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 27

Why Is Right Not Obvious? Personal perspectives differ

Laws and interpretation of laws Culture Upbringing Faith/belief system Experiences

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 28

Why Is Right Not Obvious? Societal influences

Secular humanism Situational ethics Moral relativism

Different ideologies Teleology (utilitarianism) Deontology (universal duties) Distributive justice Contributive liberty

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 29

Ethics – Doing What’s Right

Ethical behavior rests on two factors:

Discernment

Motivation

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 30

Discernment Laws

International National Local

Policies and Guidelines Specific/General Company/Association/Profession

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 31

A Moral Compass

There’s No Such Thing As “Business Ethics” (John Maxwell)

There’s only one rule for making decisions…

The Golden Rule

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 32

The Golden Rule Christianity: “Whatever you want men to do

to you, do also to them.” Islam: “No one of you is a believer until he

loves for his neighbor what he loves for himself.”

Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.”

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 33

The Golden Rule Buddhism: “Hurt not others with that which

pains yourself.” Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty; do

naught unto others what you would not have them do unto you.”

Zoroastrianism: “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself, do not do to others.”

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 34

The Golden Rule Confucianism: “What you do not want done

to yourself, do not do to others.” Bahai: “And if thine eyes be turned towards

justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.”

Jainism: “A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.”

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 35

The Golden Rule Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria): “One going to

take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.”

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 36

Other Shared Values

The Seven Faith Tribes” (George Barna)

Americans share 20 core (“faith”) values

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 37

America’s Shared Values Represent the truth well Develop inner peace and purity Seek peace with others Demonstrate wisdom Be forgiving Practice self-restraint Get yourself together before criticizing

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 38

America’s Shared Values Invest in young people Respect life Treat others how you want to be

treated Be a good citizen Justify people’s respect Avoid harmful behavior

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 39

America’s Shared Values Honor the elderly Be generous Do not judge or condemn others Be mutually respectful of human

rights Cultivate Civility Belong to a caring community Facilitate basic skills

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 40

Discernment to Motivation “To be sure, I don’t believe B-schools can

turn someone who is dishonest into a virtuous person.”

J. E. Garten, Juan Trippe professor at the Yale School of Management

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 41

Motivation The difference between knowing what is

right and doing what is right is motivation. What motivates us to do what is right? Extrinsic motivation – motivation derived from

rewards and punishments that result from my behavior

Intrinsic motivation – motivation derived from an internal need or desire to do well (and to do good)

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 42

Motivation

How do we most often try to motivate people to do the right thing?

Extrinsically We punish unethical behavior We reward ethical behavior

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 43

Motivation What is the most effective form of

motivation? Intrinsic: the needs and desires that come from

my core belief system (who I am) Intrinsic motivation patterns are formed early in

life (“Train up a child….”) Later in life, receptivity to change comes only as

a result of “life events”

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 44

Personal Responsibility When faced with ethical dilemmas, I must be

able to convince myself of what is right, then I must be able to convince others (others who may not share my beliefs and values)

I must be a critical thinker I must have a strong moral compass that drives

me to do what is right I should have people who hold me accountable

for doing what is right

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009

Slide 45

Final Words:

Discernment

Motivation

Do well and do good

Berry’s Chapel Summer Series 2009