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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Despite all the economic woes of the past several years, and the rather feeble recovery we seem to be experiencing in its wake, I’m not sure we’ve genuinely addressed the real issue that almost single-handedly brought us to our knees – greed. A moral issue not confined to the “high and mighty” but one effecting every social strata; as part of our most recent financial meltdown was fueled by the average person’s insatiable desire for bigger, better houses, cars, boats, T.V.’s etc. Banks did engage in predatory advertising and gave loans they had no business giving, but people applied for and accepted loans they couldn’t afford and had no business accepting. And then there were untold numbers of people – of all social standings – willing to risk what they had for just a little bit more on the stock exchange; exposing our cultures fascination with money as the ultimate source of happiness and security.
One instance of dishonest or uneven scales that resonates with me as an Indiana native, were the difficulties faced by G. M. and its subsidiaries; specifically Delphi Corp. Which goes a long way in highlighting the predicament many find themselves in today as over the past decade or so, compensation for chief executives of major U.S. companies has soared more than 400%; while the average household income has risen just 12% since 1992. Delphi, one of Indiana’s largest industrial employers filed for bankruptcy protection, having lost 1.2 billion dollars throughout the early part of the recession, compounded by G.M.’s loss of nearly half it’s market share to competitors such as Toyota and Honda; making it difficult to sustain the wages Delphi workers were accustomed to. That being said, Crystal Graef, an independent compensation expert found that wages did indeed need to be adjusted down in an attempt to reduce costs and preserve jobs, but not the 60% pay cut the company was proposing; especially in light of the 90 million dollars they requested to be earmarked in bonus payments for their top executives – to convince them to stay on board – the same executives who oversaw Delphi’s collapse!
This is but one example of numerous corporations engaged in questionable ethical and legal practices. Practices once winked at, such as faulty record-keeping, financial fraud and perjury, which are now taken seriously as the ‘white-collar’ crimes they are. The ideal of ethical behavior is often lost in the mad rush to make, save and make more money ; leading some to lie, cheat and steal from the corporations they run, the government that regulates them and their own employees through inflated earning reports, hidden sales, disguised losses and cut-throat business practices. They would do well to heed Christ’s admonition to, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15; as he bemoaned those who had, “…neglected the more important matters of (lawful living) – justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Matthew 23:23 They epitomize Paul’s description of, “…people (who) are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.” Romans 16:18
As many of these companies suffer dire financial problems their top executives revel in expensive lifestyles with multiple homes, cars, and jewelry; having accumulated millions of dollars in personal wealth. They take advantage of their company, their employees and their customers while expecting someone else to bail them out when their improprieties are discovered. They use people who actually work for a living, depending on their salary and benefits not to live in excess but often to merely survive. A real appreciation of Proverbs 16:8, “Better is a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.”; would go a long way in alleviating many of these problems (As corporate compensation packages have again begun out-stripping the modest gains companies have made recently.), leading us to a recognition of Paul’s definition of personal contentment found in Philippians 4:11,12. The demand for justice and fair-play is addressed repeatedly throughout scripture, John dealing with it on a personal level by warning, “Do not love the world or anything in the world… For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:15,16
As Christian employers and employees, our work ethic should revolve around, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men.” Colossians 3:23 The issues of corporate expectations and workers’ rights deduced from Paul’s instructions to slaves and their masters; not condoning slave labor but resolving it from within by changing the attitudes that made slavery attractive as an enterprise. Laborers must respond with respect, sincerity and diligence in doing their best – just as they would obey or work for Christ – not only to win approval when attention is focused on them but working hard at all times in an honest attempt to please and produce; serving wholeheartedly, realizing that the reward for such work might not come fully from an earthly “master” but from The Master. (Ephesians 6:5-8) Peter adding that we should always offer our best not only to the good and considerate “employer” but to the advantage–taking one as well. (1 Peter 2:18) On the flip-side of this issue – the “employer” was to likewise treat his “workers” as if serving Christ, who firmly asserted, “…the worker deserves his wages.” Luke 10:7 Paul reaffirming this principle in 1 Timothy 5:18, stressing as well the responsibility believers have in doing their best by declaring,, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Which was tempered by compassion and generosity, prompting careful investigation into the difference between people who cannot work – for a variety of reasons – and those who will not do so. (Depriving the poor their rights, workers their wages and the widow and orphans adequate care seen as analogous to sorcery, perjury and adultery in Malachi 3:5. See also Is. 10:2; Amos 5:11,12; Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14,15) For all of us have a Master to answer to, who will reward everyone according to how they serve Him. (Ephesians 6:9 and Colossians 3:24)
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Paul warns that “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9,10) In fact, James taught that Christianity is expressed, at least in part, by how we care for others; especially those who can do little for themselves such as widows and orphans. (James 1:27 see also Deuteronomy 14:29) Financial success achieved best by our being productive citizens who aren’t, “…dependent on anybody;” living in such a way that our “…daily life may win the respect of outsiders…” And we do this by learning, “…to devote (ourselves) to doing what is right, (which will enable us to) provide for daily necessities…” 1 Thessalonians 4:12; without taking advantage of others.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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