Jul
16
2009
Business and Religion
Dr. Frances J. Grimke:
“A man should carry his religion into his business, and his business into his religion. He should run his business in accordance with the principles of his religion, and he should be business-like in his religion. The same promptness, efficiency, the same energy and earnestness that he shows in his business should also be carried into his religion. in other words, we should be thoroughly religious in all our business relations, and thoroughly business-like in all our religious relations.”
What do you think?
I suspect that most people wouldn’t dispute the first half–take Christ with you into business. But the second half? Bring a business-like approach to religion?
Obviously there are ways that business and a business-model-mindset have affected the church, turning pastors into CEO, members into shareholders, and the church into a marketing machine looking for a niche. So, we lament those things. But I wonder if there isn’t the need in our church lives for “the same promptness, efficiency, the same energy and earnestness” that would define most of us in our secular employment?
Are we more diligent when we’re working for earthly employers than we are when working for the Lord?