Good Morning!
If you are a nice guy, you probably ought to forget business. Go into something safer like the civil service, teaching, or social work. Because the reality of it is that pleasant guys get stepped on. And they finish last.
So, how can you as a businessman and follower of Christ love others and survive? If you are honest, Christian love often seems like “a blank check with no limits.”+ We know that such love is possible only when we see God, rather than ourselves, as our ultimate protector and provider. (Psa. 27:1; 37:25)
Our thesis is that one’s business practices must mirror God’s character. Thus, the last two faxes discussed business ethics as it relates to the holiness and justice of God. This fax focuses on the love of God.
From Alexander Hill’s, perspective, the application of Christian love to business has three prominent characteristics+:
I Empathy: Seeking to understand and emotionally identify with others. From Hebrews, we observe Jesus’ empathy for us,
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:15, 16)
Question:In your business practices, are you seeking to empathize with those who are weak or hurting? Or are you ignoring, squashing, or washing them out?
II Mercy: Expressing kind or compassionate treatment toward an offender, when it is in our power to do otherwise.
Jesus’ illustrates mercy in the parable of the king who canceled the debt of a servant. (Matt.18:21-35)
Question – How are you treating those over whom you have power or authority? Are they getting what they deserve, or is there mercy in your actions?
III Sacrifice of rights: Exhibiting “the willingness to give away the very rights that justice bestows.”+
The account of Abraham deferring to Lot over prime land illustrates this truth. (Genesis 13)
Question – When was the last time you relinquished to another what was rightfully yours?
My prayer is that you are having a great week!