Christianity is among the most popular religions in the world. Over 70% of Americans are Christians, and there are even greater percentages in other parts of the world.
The term “Christianity” originated in the Greek city of Antioch and translates to “Christ-like.” Being Christ-like cuts across every action you take, including personal interests, hobbies, interpersonal interactions, and day-to-day business endeavors.
Practices in the business world are often antithetical to Christian teachings. Many prefer to cut corners to achieve the ultimate business goal – increased ROI. This begs the question, is it possible to maintain Christian values in business?
As a faithful Christian following the instructions reiterated in the Testaments, it’s essential to forego worldly methods and abide by Christian ethics in your business. It’s not an easy task, but it’s certainly achievable. To develop your business acumen, consider an online Christian business degree program such as the Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) program at the Central Christian College of Kansas.
BBA holders know how to think and proffer constructive solutions in a business context. Besides teaching you the ins and outs of creating a successful business, a BBA degree also makes you eligible for decent-paying job opportunities.
Fundamentals of Christian Business Ethics
Simply put, Christian business ethics is an approach to business that’s purely based on Christian values and beliefs. The Bible acts as a moral compass for anyone interested in setting up a business and doing it correctly. Christian business ethics common in today’s world include compassion, patience, charity, and morality regarding the business model and the clientele it intends to service.
Here are some other fundamentals of Christian business ethics to uphold:
- Avoid an unhealthy focus on wealth accumulation at the cost of religious values. Thus, a Christian enterprise should not be driven by returns on investment so much as the commitment to provide affordable services to the community in which it exists. This is achievable by offering discounts on products and services where possible and never taking unfair advantage of increased market prices to inflate the price of old goods. You can also give back to the community by allotting a portion of your proceeds to the needy or for vital church projects.
- Morality when it comes to the business and its patrons is also of utmost importance. Typically, Christian companies avoid selling commodities that contradict Christ-like values. A Christian-owned enterprise shouldn’t deal in pornography or hard drugs. The focus should instead be on purely legitimate products and services. It stands to reason that you would also ally yourself with like-minded suppliers and business partners. Ultimately, you’ll find that you’ll begin attracting Christian patronage or at least virtuous-minded customers.
- Kindness and compassion are also relevant ethics any Christian business should uphold. Christian entrepreneurs must treat everyone fairly and equally, from employees to patrons to competitors. As seen in the Bible, Jesus was tolerant of everyone he encountered and urged his followers to love even their enemies. When running a Christian business, your business place must be welcoming and not discriminatory to anyone.
- Be diligent when conducting business transactions, as the Bible implores Christians. As such, Christian firms must put in adequate growth efforts and pool resources to ensure they offer excellent service.
9 Christian Principles To Adopt When Building A Business
There are many resources and search engine results that potential business owners can turn to as they research ways to build a business. Although you can opt for these other methods, Christians can always find the answers in the Holy Bible, which contains everything significant to Christian lives. Besides encouraging words, you’ll also find fundamental business principles you can adopt when venturing into the business sector.
1. Go the extra mile
Pushing for greatness is not a sin, and determination and zeal will increase your chances of business success. It’s important to develop unique ideas to stand out among the competition and attract patrons.
To do this, pay attention to minute details rather than simply following the status quo. The leading companies worldwide are never content with the norm. They constantly aim to be different and memorable among the lot.
In the Bible, Jesus admonished his followers to always put in more effort, regardless of the prevailing circumstances – “And whosoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two“ (Matthew 5:41). If you don’t go the extra mile, you shouldn’t expect bigger success. To achieve worldwide acclaim, you’ll need to walk several miles ahead, explore genuine opportunities and take risks.
2. Apply the “golden rule”
It’s not uncommon for business owners to cut corners to achieve their goals. Taking advantage of others for your benefit is selfish and goes against Christian morals. Usually, dishonest strategies are great for profits, but remember that you are not solely interested in gaining massive profits. Your business will succeed in time if you go slow and steady.
Doing this means applying the “Golden Rule” as postulated in Luke 6:31 – “Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you.”
As an entrepreneur, go into business with the mindset of treating others how you wish to be treated. Would you like to purchase products with substandard ingredients? If not, try as much as possible to provide your customers with quality goods.
Many companies have reaped the dividends of the Golden Rule, so it’s been tried and proven. Always consider others first. Not only does adopting this principle make you a better leader but it’ll also steadily increase your business’ patronage.
3. Don’t make it all about profits
For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
(Mark 8:36)
The general idea when starting a business is that the sole purpose is earning profits. However, when the thirst for profits blinds your moral compass, it becomes a sin. As such, you’ll want to have other goals for your business. You can also ensure that any extra profits from your business venture are used for the greater good.
While making a decent ROI after every fiscal year is important, ensure that a percentage of your business’ profits is used for something beneficial. For instance, you can reach out to orphanages, hospitals, and the less privileged within the church community. Even a small impact on those around you can create a ripple effect of good in the larger Christian community.
4. Take a clear stance on your dos and don’ts
Decisiveness is a crucial principle in business. As an entrepreneur, you need to gauge your options quickly and make prompt decisions. Having a list of dos and don’ts will provide a reference for the company’s endeavors. By default, you should say yes to ideas that benefit your Christian company’s outlook. On the other hand, say no to those that are controversial to your beliefs.
There are several admonitions in this regard in the Bible: “And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Anything else you say comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:36 & 37).
Stick firmly to Christian ethics and reject anything that doesn’t conform. The moment you try to compromise, you’ll have faltered in your Christ-like endeavor.
5. Play an overseeing role as time passes
As an entrepreneur, you shouldn’t be so preoccupied with your wants and preferences. Instead, focus on the general business environment, which includes your patrons and staff. As the Bible states, “His master replied. Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:23).
Remember that whatever you’ve achieved in life is a testament to God’s blessings in your life. This can be linked to the third principle explained above. You should move away from your gain and be communal with those around your business. You’ll find that this creates a better working environment and can ultimately pile on more success.
6. Remember, you reap what you sow
The principle of sowing and reaping is reiterated several times in the Bible. It was a typical example in many of Jesus’ parables, and according to 2 Corinthians 9: 6, “Remember this. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Relating this to the business setting, we can consider seeds to be ideas. If you come up with 100 ideas, you should implement as many as possible. Of course, not all will be fruitful, but there’s a good chance that at least one will yield positively. If not, you can always try again.
Many people make the mistake of believing that their dreams and aspirations aren’t good enough. The Bible encourages you to put effort into your ideas. As a Christian, you should believe in who you are by the grace of God.
7. Don’t give in to nay-sayers
It can be difficult to believe in your ideas when you’re surrounded by nay-sayers. While some are harmlessly looking out for you, others put down your ideas due to wicked motives. Every business involves risks, and since you can’t tell the future, your best bet is to follow your beliefs while looking to Jesus for guidance.
Many successful people in the world pushed through all the jibes and negative opinions to persevere in their goals. Even the Bible supports aspiring for the seemingly unattainable – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 & 21).
The power at work within us, as postulated in Ephesians, is a strength bestowed by God. If Christ is at the helm of your business and wills it, then there is no limit to the fruitfulness of your endeavors.
8. Seek clarity
Starting a business is a challenging feat. There are dozens of details to consider, and you’ll want to put your best foot forward every step of the way. This is much easier to do when you have a clear vision, but you’ll need God’s help to attain that clarity. Jesus referred to the importance of seeking God in Matthew 6:33 – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Christianity teaches that every good thing comes from God. In this passage of Matthew, Jesus tells the people the order in which to attain blessings in life. Likewise, unlocking your potential in the business requires God’s approval. When you prioritize God and His ordinances, you’ll receive the necessary clarity to steer your business toward the right path.
9. Make the right investments
We know that investments are essential for long-term goals and benefits, but what is the best investment for a Christian business? It’s certainly not stocks, cryptocurrencies, or other trending commodities on the stock market.
As a Christian, the best investment you can ever make as a Christian is in people. One principle that has shaped many entrepreneurs from time immemorial lies in the New Testament –
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
(Matthew 6:21).
This scripture explains that how you choose to invest is a manifestation of your desires. As a Christian abiding by the love of God and man, you should be disposed to making human investments rather than purely material ones, which are fleeting. Investing in people helps develop human capital. Long-term benefits of this include creating more inclusive societies and ending extreme poverty.
Advantages Of Implementing Christian Ethics Into Your Business
Building a business on an ethical foundation will prove advantageous in the following ways:
1. Attracting investors
Investors always want to ensure they are partnering with reliable organizations. Since scams and unethical practices are rife nowadays, a business with an honest foundation will allow investors to rest assured that invested funds won’t be used frivolously. If one investor records a good experience in your company due to the transparent and straightforward process involved, you can expect the word to spread very quickly.
2. Fostering customer loyalty
Customers can excuse a business for short-changing them or selling substandard products once or twice. However, they’ll eventually look elsewhere if unfair practices become the norm. Honesty pays in the long run because your business will receive repeat patronage, building customer loyalty and strengthening your brand name.
3. Retaining good staff
According to a survey conducted by GoodHire, 82% of employees will consider quitting due to a bad manager or CEO. However, your employees will be satisfied when you implement Christian principles and run your business on good moral values. A satisfied worker is willing to go the extra mile to meet business demands. If you begin to invest in your staff and treat them right from the onset, you won’t have to worry about losing good hands.
4. Avoiding legal issues
Some businesses falsify tax payments and keep workers under inhumane conditions in a bid to make more profits. When caught by the relevant authorities, these enterprises might be shut down outright or forced to pay huge fines. Unethical business practices are usually against the law, so running a legitimate business saves your firm from the legal debacles associated with cutting corners.
5. Building Reputation
Many customers lean towards one brand’s offerings over another because of its reputation. If your firm is known for transparent dealings, it will be considered a reliable place to conduct business, and you’ll soon begin attracting more investors and patrons. Remember that reputation is a two-way street. Once you rescind the principles that first placed your business in a good light, you could lose your good name.
Drawbacks Of Implementing Christian Ethics Into Your Business
When you implement Christian ethics in your business, apart from experiencing advantages, there are certain challenges to it. Let us discuss these challenges and the possible solutions that might help you resolve them.
Ethical Practices Can Lead To An Increase In Operational Cost
At times, implementing sustainable business practices, comprehensive benefits and fair wages can lead to an increase in operational costs. This is where a perceived disadvantage of the business can be observed as compared to the competitors.
We are not saying that you do not prioritize ethical standards, but there are certain ways in which you can resolve these concerns. One way is to implement waste reduction as well as the use of technology that will improve operational efficiency and
Ethical Standards Might Impact The Profit Goals Of The Company
It is very important for you as a business owner or a stakeholder in the company to achieve profit targets. It is not just necessary for owners but also other stakeholders such as employees, shareholders, and others.
Integrating a business model might help in creating a business that integrates ethical practices along with business strategy. There is a higher chance that you can focus on a niche market that leverages ethical standards as a unique selling proposition.
I would also suggest that transparent communication is the key to overall business growth.
Competitive Markets Can Be A Challenge When Maintaining Ethical Standards
When you Are a business in a competitive market, you might end up feeling pressure, especially when you do not compromise on your ethics and what your competitors do.
The solution to this is stakeholder engagement where you engage suppliers, customers, and employees with the same ethical values as you. Like-minded stakeholders will understand the competition in the market and accordingly provide you with support creating an ethically supportive community.
With Ethical Practices, Difficult To Measure The Impact
At times, the tickle practices of your business might impact the quantifiable benefits of the business. It might also challenge the value of stakeholders or justify your investment in a certain sector.
A viable solution to these challenges sharing your success stories. If you start highlighting cases and studies of your organization, that show the positive impact of the ethical practices that you are doing, you might incur both profit and investors.
You also can establish clear metrics, which show you customer loyalty, Community engagement, and employee satisfaction scores.
Conclusion
In short, incorporating Christian ethics is a positive change when it comes to business practices. However, there are certain challenges that we need to navigate. Apart from focusing on justice and fairness, love, compassion, and stewardship, Christian businesses have a strategy for achieving overall growth.
Profitability is also a part of this contribution to society, creating a better compassionate world.
Comment on whether you will integrate Christian ethics into your business ever!
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