CHRISTIAN BUSINESS ETHICS

With so many free materials on business ethics available online to assist developing and established organisations, one would believe that the business environment has been polished. Unfortunately, unethical corporate practices continue to exist on a global scale.

As defined by the Institute of Business Ethics, business ethics involves applying ethical values to business behavior. Ethics are the moral principles and standards that govern human behaviour. Every organisation has its own behaviour, and that determines if it's a good or bad organisation.

Individual Ethics

As an employee in a company, the Christian is bound by God's work principles. They are to work wholeheartedly for the Lord rather than for their masters (Colossians 3:23). This entails working to one's best abilities without supervision and not to the standards of the organisation but to the higher standards of God.

Laziness is not tolerated in the Christian workers. Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, ... "(Proverbs 6:6–11).

God does not tolerate laziness in Christians, and He expects excellence and hard work. Hard work should be at the core of every Christian's principles.

Ephesians 4:28 discourages dishonesty and encourages honesty. That means God expects truthfulness at work. The majority of people find it difficult to be honest in these terrible economic times.

There's always the temptation to steal office supplies to save money on school supplies. Even if you believe it is a minor offence, dishonesty cannot be assessed or measured. Sin is sin. Measuring sin only encourages people to sin more.

Company Ethics

Companies are required to follow the law. This includes following proper labour practices and protecting their staff.

The requirement for companies to abide by appropriate labour practices in the Bible is found in Deuteronomy 24:14-15, "You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin."

When the cries of oppressed workers reach God's ears, firms that treat their employees unfairly may be punished. God takes business ethics considerably more seriously than the rest of the world.

There are repercussions for unethical business conduct on both sides. The ramifications are enormous in both the physical and spiritual worlds.

Transparency and fairness should be every organisation's priority.

Reality

Fairness and honest interactions would make the world a better place. However, there are far too many stories of companies closing down and the owners running away without paying the employees. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-09-10-mine-boss-vanishes-leaving-broke-workers-in-limbo/

There are companies that do not register their workers, do not pay them fair wages, and treat them inhumanely.

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God's Call

As Christians, we are called to excellency both in our homes, work, and businesses. It is our responsibility to impact our environment. That means our business and professional ethics should have an impact on everyone around us.