The Limitations of Ethics
Integrity is profitable; dishonesty isn’t
Often times, it’s in the best interest of the “world” to be honest. You don’t need biblical values to be motivated for integrity.
Personal honesty has a wider social impact
Though I may not perceive it, my own integrity and actions do have social impact to those around me, whether it be among friends or coworkers.
The very definition of righteous people is that they disadvantage themselves to advantage others
A Different Set of Virtues
Biblical Christian faith gives us significant resources not present in other worldviews, which, if lived out, will differentiate believers in the workplace
At the end of your life, will you wish that you had plunged more of your time, passion, and skulls to give and receive more love?
oof. mic drop
A Different View of Humanity
We are not to consider that men merit of themselves but to look upon the image of God in all men, to which we owe all honor and love. John Calvin
Christians must remain absolutely committed to an understanding of human rights based on the image of God
A Different Source of Guidance
If we know God and self, then time deepens our understanding of human nature, of the times we live in, of the power and use of words, of how human relationships work. All this leads to wisdom in decision-making.
[The Spirit] makes Jesus Christ a living, bright reality, transforming our character, giving us new inner poise, clarity, humility, boldness, contentment, and courage.
A Different Audience
All my work I should do as if I were directly serving the Lord (which I should be).
Whatever you do, work at it with all your hear, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward Colossians: 3:23-24
This is how we are to regard God’s interest in our work. Work is to be done with all your heart and might, as skillfully as you can, and it should not feel like a burden, but a privilege
Christians are to work with “sincerity of heart,” which is literally singleness of heart, a term that connotes both focus and integrity.
We all work for an audience, whether we are aware of it or not
But Christians look to an Audience of One, our loving heavenly Father, and that gives us both accountability and joy in our work.
The Orientation of a New Compass
Christians should be also known to be calm and poised in the face of difficulty or failure. This may be the most telling way to judge if a person is drawing on the resources of the gospel in the development of personal character.
I am definitely not calm nor poised in tough times. It’s hard to build that character and continue to remember and trust in Jesus.
Christian Ethics in Your Vocation
I should be asking questions and be concerned with how work is done in my vocation, in my company.
The most intuitive and emotional of human acts have become work for hire. Christopher Lasch, The Outsources Self: Intimate Life in Market Times
Therefore:
Contemporary capitalism increasingly has the power to eliminate the intimacy and accountability of human relationships.
Only if I begin thinking deeply about my actions, my work, and how God sees it all, can I notice the opportunities God gives me to “serve the work”. Otherwise, I am blind or incapable in taking advantage of such opportunities.