Business Ethics - Flawed Humanity

 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 
(Romans 7:15, NIV).

A quick glance at the broken promises and deception in the marketplace indicates that being holy-just-loving is easier said than done. Why, despite our noblest intentions , we seem so incapable of living as we ought. Why do company CEOs commit securities fraud? Why do companies systematically overstate their earnings?

Scripture labels the fundamental human flaw as sin. Sin,at its core, is setting our own independent agenda and the refusal to emulate God. In elevating ourselves to godlike status, this attitude of self-sufficiency results in spiritual alienation. In his book, Just Business, Alexander Hill states, analogous to cancer, sin, this moral disease infects our entire being, clouds our moral vision, and alters our very character. the results is a chasm between us and God.

At this point a important distinction must be made between the concept of "sin", which describes our defective moral character; and "sins", which includes actions that naturally follow, stealing, lying, promise breaking and so forth. Our fallen natures are like petri dishes in which sinful actions flourish. As stated in Romans 7:16-20 - 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.(NIV).

In the marketplace where career destinies are decided, the temptation to rationalize unethical behavior is strong, and financial stakes are high, this is particularly problematic. Before the finger of accusation is pointed to quickly, we all must acknowledge our own susceptibility to temptation of justifying imprudent or unethical behavior. Matthew 7:5 reminds us, You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Lewis Smedes correctly observes, "Self-deception is a fine art. In one corner of our mind we know that something is true; in the other we deny it....We know but we refused to know." 

Psychologists have a label for such behavior - "denial."




 From Just Business: Christian Ethics for the Marketplace: Alexander Hill