Praying for the seven Mountains (III) Business

Mangelwadi in his book “The Book that changed the world,” tells of a time in the Christian West when integrity was so great that a farmer could leave a container of milk by the road, trusting his customers to help themselves and to pay. We have come a long way right? Not! The Bible is strong on fair business practices (i.e. Proverbs 11:1; 16:11). Here is not the place to outline the many pros and cons of the capitalist system. There are many of both, and there are many problems. I wish I could say that honesty and integrity characterized all of our business practices, but greed, exploitation and corrupt business practices are common. Some of the Multinational cooperations are the worst offenders. One company (name withheld to protect the guilty) distributed free milk powder to mothers in certain third world countries, and then after the mother's milk dried up, had a ready market to charge for their product. A similar strategy introduced drugs to our children in schools.

Others exploit the market by poverty level wages in often dangerous, unregulated factories in third world counties, and then import the goods to the West. The Bible speaks of such practices as “robbing the poor” (Proverbs 22:22). But Capitalism and the free market system have a positive side too. They enable us to grow a healthy economy and build personal wealth. Capitalism also promotes (not perfectly of course) equality of opportunity, in that it gives the the poor the possibility of getting ahead by taking responsibility for their lives. These are conservative values, and while the Left's equality of outcome (everybody has equal wealth) sounds like a good thing, implementing it actually promotes entitlement and victimhood, and takes away initiative as we wait for the government to take from the rich and give to the poor. And if history proves anything, it doesn't work. The role government plays in business is important, but needs to be kept in balance. On the one hand de-regulation has caused chaos and instability. On the other hand too much regulation strangles, especially small businesses. I recently heard of two different government departments, one requiring doors that lead to the kitchen in restaurants to swing inwards, the other requiring them to swing outwards. Overregulation is also costly and can actually sabotage a business.

Some business models and philosophies are ungodly, greed is said to be good, and profit amoral. The Scripture on the other hand declares “Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household” (Proverbs 15:27). And “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). But nobody is saying that we should not desire a fair wage for our labour. Interestingly, in light of the last part of the above proverb, books and seminars are increasingly advocating respectful inclusion of the workforce in decision making, and profit sharing. And it works because good business practices produce stable and stress free work environments and actually produce better profits. Who knew the Bible would be right about these things?

Father we ask you to raise up intercessors to demolish the strongholds of unfair, corrupt and even evil business practices, including the drug, abortion, pornography and sex-trafficking industries. In legitimate business Lord, please raise up leaders of integrity, and give them wisdom and favour to be a blessing to themselves, others and the kingdom. Help us the achieve the right balance in terms of regulation, and cause our nations to prosper in all our ways (3 John 2) in Jesus Name Amen