Financial “corrections” of the stock markets and the subsequent volatility of the economy occur periodically. Trade agreements, government policy, corporate practices and union benefits packages all coming under fire during these times of instability, and in truth, all play a part in the fluctuations of our national and personal economies. But despite all the finger-pointing and our supposed recovery from the latest significant recession, I’m not sure we’ve genuinely addressed the real issue yet – 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 advertise and give loans they had no business giving, but people applied for and accepted those 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 in particular, admittedly because I work as a union laborer for a prominent, prosperous company, were the difficulties faced by G. M. and its subsidiaries; specifically Delphi Corp, highlighting the predicament many find themselves in today. Research finding that over the past decade, 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 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 its market share to competitors such as Toyota and Honda; making it next to impossible to sustain the wages Delphi workers were accustomed to. That being said, Crystal Graef, an independent compensation expert found that even as wages did indeed need to be adjusted down to reduce costs and preserve jobs, the 60% pay cut the company was proposing was excessive, unbalanced and unfair; especially in light of the 90 million dollars G.M. asked the courts to set aside for their top executives – to convince them to stay on board – the same executives who oversaw G.M.’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 should be taken seriously as the white-collar “crimes” they are. Buy-outs, pay-offs and hostile take-overs are big news; as are the corresponding lay-offs, benefit cut-backs and depleted retirement funds. Ethical behavior being 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 and their own employees through inflated earning reports, hidden sales, disguised losses and cut-throat business practices and negotiations. 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 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 the problems still being reported today. (Leading us to recognition of Paul’s definition of personal contentment found in Philippians 4:11,12) The demand for justice and fair-play 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 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; being considerate, non-threatening, supportive and fair. For all of us have a Master to answer to, who will reward everyone according to how they serve him. (Ephesians 6:9 & Colossians 3:24)
We routinely fall far short of God’s expectations of us to, “Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight,…” Deuteronomy 6:18 Because of our inclination to sin, we are often selfish and tempted to manipulate, take advantage of and use people as things; willing to, “…with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.” Is. 29:21 Fairness called for repeatedly in scripture; Proverbs 11:1 declaring that, “The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.”
Consequently there is a recurring theme of judgment on those who are dishonest, unjust and oppressive; depriving the poor their rights, workers their wages and the widow and orphan adequate care. (Is. 10:2 ; Amos 5:11,12; Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14,15) Depicting these activities as analogous with sorcery, perjury, adultery, etc. (Malachi 3:5) Christ firmly asserting that, “…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 That however was tempered by compassion and generosity, prompting careful investigation into the difference between people who can not work – for a variety of reasons – and those who will not do so.
Proverbs declares that one of the benefits of Godly wisdom is acquiring the ability to do what is right, just and fair. (Proverbs 1:3) 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…” 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.
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.