business enterprise from that of a Christian business? What are the
identifying hallmarks of a Christian business? Are there any biblical
guidelines to managing a Christian business?
First is integrity. Integrity is about Christ-centered living. It is
about doing what is right rather than what is expedient. The
organization with integrity will make its business decisions based on
the standards and principles of God—righteousness, truth and honesty.
That is, there is congruency between what the organization verbalizes
and what it practices. No one can point a finger at such a company and
justifiably cry out, "Hypocrite!" Socrates (469-399 BC) declared, "The
greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend
to be." A Christian business is the epitome of integrity. This means
"we are who we say we are."
Second is a commitment to excellence. Paul said, "This is a
trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that
those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to
doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for
everyone" (Titus 3:8). If an organization is to be recognized as an
exemplary one, one whose goal is to glorify God through its commitment
to excellence in its service and product, it must always honor God and
be thoroughly cognizant of its role and mission in a pagan world. Such
an organization never forgets that God has called them to be His
witness to the lost world in which they do business.
When business organizations commit themselves to the pursuit of
excellence, they exalt the Word of God. And as the Gallup and National
Research Center study revealed, they also demonstrate God's power to
transform lives, not only through their employees but with their
customers as well.
Finally, a Christian business should have a commitment to its people.
This includes the area of fair compensation, performance recognition,
and providing growth opportunities, both professionally and
personally. It has been determined that organizations that recognize
the needs of their people and create opportunities for them to fulfill
those needs are able to bring out the very best in them. The apostle
Paul indirectly addressed relationships between employers and
employees. To those who work for someone else, Paul gave this command:
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only
when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of
heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the
Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:22-24).
Then to employers, Paul commanded, "Masters, provide your slaves with
what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master
in heaven" (Colossians 4:1). Paul gave this command to employers
because, just as their employees report to them, they themselves have
someone to report to—their Master in heaven. Employers could hardly
expect to be treated fairly by God if they failed to treat their
employees fairly. Paul's remarks concerning the employee/employer
relationship involve the mutual submission of employees to their
employers and vice versa. Employees, too, are to treat their employers
with respect and "obey them not only to win their favor when their eye
is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your
heart" (Ephesians 6:6).
In all things, for both employers and employees, Christ should be the
model for Christian business, because He was known to be a man of
integrity, even among His enemies (Matthew 22:16).
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