Integrity
The primary Christian value in business should be integrity. Why? Because integrity is about Christ-centered living. It’s 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. That is, there is congruence 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 once stated, “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” A Christian business should be the epitome of integrity. This means “we are who we say we are.”
Commitment to Excellence
The second Christian value in business 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 our Heavenly Father through its commitment to excellence in the products they sell or the services they offer, then it must always honor God and be thoroughly cognizant of its role and mission in a fallen 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 wherever they go. And as a 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.
Commitment to People
Lastly, the Christian value in business we aim to communicate through this class is that organizations run by believers should have a commitment to its people. This includes the areas of fair compensation, performance recognition, and providing growth opportunities. 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 when he said: “Servants, 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).