I’m Sorry I’m Blessed?

June 23, 2023

I’m Sorry I’m Blessed?

Is a successful individual somehow less spiritual or less Christ-like if they succeed in their ventures? Should a believer feel self-conscious about their success? Should we apologize for blessing? This belief is actually far too common and profoundly misunderstands the gift of real Christian ethics upon the lives and ventures of a believer.

While it is true that in the arena of business, there are bad actors; it does not follow that deceit, manipulation, and unethical practices increase one’s likelihood of success. In fact, that misconception is illogical and defies the fundamental principles of economics and human relations. Business flourishes in an environment of trust, and companies that prioritize ethics and morality are frequently those that enjoy enduring success. This is especially true when we consider Christian ethics, which can serve as a guiding light in the world of commerce. When pursued seriously, Christian ethics contribute to a thriving and sustainable business model, rather than inhibiting success.

The principles of Christian ethics include honesty, integrity, respect for others, service to others, and stewardship of resources, among others. These principles, when integrated into business practices, nurture an environment of trust and reliability. In a marketplace that thrives on relationships, customers are more inclined to conduct business with entities that they perceive to be honest, respectful, and reliable. However, they will not be satisfied with a Christian label; they want to see real ethics like honesty and reliability.

Consider the case of the Hershey Company, founded by Milton Hershey. Hershey, a devout Christian, instilled his company with Christian ethics. He was honest and fair with his employees, going as far as building a town, Hershey, Pennsylvania, to provide them with comfortable homes and a high quality of life. His ethical practices did not hinder his company’s success. Instead, they contributed to the creation of one of the world’s most successful and enduring chocolate companies.

Furthermore, Christian ethics promotes stewardship of resources, which inherently calls for responsible and efficient management. This can result in sustainable business models that ensure long-term profitability. Companies that abide by such ethics, focusing on sustainability, will not only attract eco-conscious consumers but will also safeguard their resources for the future. An example of this is Interface Inc., a carpet tile manufacturer led by Ray Anderson, a devout Christian. Anderson re-engineered his company’s manufacturing process to minimize waste and promote recycling, becoming a global leader in industrial sustainability. This responsible stewardship, rooted in Christian ethics, propelled the company to unprecedented success.

Moreover, Christian ethics endorses service to others, a principle that can translate into exceptional customer service in a business context. When businesses prioritize their customers’ needs and satisfaction, they build strong customer relationships, foster loyalty, and enhance their reputation in the marketplace. Chick-fil-A, a fast-food chain rooted in Christian values, exemplifies this approach. Known for its exceptional customer service, Chick-fil-A has experienced remarkable success, outperforming many of its competitors.

Critics might argue that the business world is a ruthless landscape where only the most cunning survive. However, history provides us with numerous counterexamples that demonstrate the efficacy of Christian ethics in business. It is not a matter of choosing between Christian ethics and business success; rather, it is about recognizing that these two can, and often do, go hand in hand.

In conclusion, Christian ethics can serve as a foundation for enduring business success. By promoting honesty, integrity, respect for others, service to others, and stewardship of resources, Christian ethics contributes to an environment of trust and reliability, fosters sustainable business practices, and prioritizes customer satisfaction. These attributes are not merely desirable in the business world—they are essential for long-term success. Far from thwarting business growth, Christian ethics can serve as a springboard for enduring profitability and success.

Prospering

Posted by:

Nathan Elms

Author, Founder, Cancer Survivor, Dad, and Lead Pastor of @FirstChurchClt and C3 Concord

One response to “I’m Sorry I’m Blessed?”

Jessica

July 3, 2023 at 9:35 am

I am uncertain about whether you post these articles with the intent to start a conversation with someone who could potentially disagree with you. I’m guessing no, but maybe I’m wrong. I will drop my opinion here anyway just incase I am. I was actually just disagreeing with someone who thinks in absolute terms about concepts like “privilege”, so, my goal isn’t to reside in an echo chamber. I’m constantly seeking the nuances of what it means to be fortunate.

The concept of blessings/luck/advantages (both fair and unfair) is…complex. I will meet you in the middle with that point. It’s hard to define or measure those things in absolute terms. How much did you earn, how much was gifted to you, how much was god/luck/fortuna and whether it actually benefits you “more” than the non-financial blessings someone else might receive are all immeasurable abstracts. The wealthiest individuals can be so out of touch and miss out on many of the deeper and more simple blessings/pleasures/mysteries in life. Though there are exceptions. They don’t always have enough personal life challenges to develop self-awareness or experience some of these treasures. Fate is also unknown to all of us and our blessings today could be our curses tomorrow. There’s a cool story called the parable of the farmer and his fate that illustrates my point. I think I remember a biblical phrase about camels and the eye of a needle, and then there was the kingdom of heaven being for the poor. My Bible knowledge is a bit rusty, though. But even relatively unsuccessful Americans, for example, are insanely blessed/lucky/advantaged compared to most/countless people around the world and throughout history. Our quality of life is incomparable. The same is true when comparing lower middle class with upper middle class Americans. Many worry about rent and food and some worry about their compound interest. Yet, in the words of the notorious B.I.G “Mo money, mo problems.” So, who’s to say?

Hershey’s morality is a fascinating case study on the topic of ethics because he did apparently intend to do good but has managed to leave a legacy that includes a decades long scandal surrounding child slave labour. It appears Hershey won their court case but to be fair…one thing money definitely DOES buy is a good lawyer. Regardless of the purity of Hershey’s business ventures, much of the capitalistic intergenerational wealth that has accumulated until today did arise from hundreds of years of chattel slavery, nonexistent labour laws, and opportunistic outsourcing. This was especially true in the past, but much of it is ongoing today. Does that mean a person who was lucky enough to be born into a life with fewer concerns about all of life’s challenges than the rest of humanity (because let’s be honest, money solves a lot of problems) deserves to feel guilt? It’s an interesting question. I feel like that question is a more relevant than “Sorry I’m blessed?” which comes across a bit like a pretty girl saying “don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” Or someone saying “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” Etc. lol. It’s not really about you. Or at least it shouldn’t be. Plenty of the most “blessed” people on this planet cut corners in their business practices and god still chooses to bless them apparently.

It seems to me that in our individualistic society we are much more prone to defending the blessed/fortunate/lucky person’s agency than the impoverished collective’s humanity. When the fortunate don’t need to be defended or helped. Much of what they have they don’t need at all.

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