The Disruptors Blog by Paul Wilson Jr.

People Over Profits

7/29/2013

[This video was originally posted at QIdeas.org]

In this current business environment, more brands seem to be coming to the realization that focusing on being a good corporate citizen is more beneficial than trying to manage the risk of questionable or unscrupulous behavior. Dale Partridge, CEO and Co-Founder of Sevenly.org, questions whether a brand, in fact, can contribute to the common good.

Dale brings up some interesting points, but what I most agree with him on the fact that Christian business owners and leaders are best positioned to lead the marketplace forward through ethical, moral, and people-focused business practices.

RELATED: Grow Businesses. Create Jobs. Defeat Poverty.

What say you? Please leave your comments below...

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Money, Markets, and Morality

4/15/2013

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Many Christians struggle with their perception of money, which is one reason why they struggle with their acquisition of money. You could be struggling financially if you grew believing statements similar to:

"Money is evil"
"Rich people are evil"
"Capitalism is bad"
"Capitalism only benefits rich people"
"Business is only for greedy people"
"Being poor brings you closer to God"

With an improper understanding of money and the marketplace, Christians can mistakenly characterize the financial markets as something sinister instead of being a gateway through which God can bring financial blessings. Unfortunately few Christians see a healthy alignment between their faith and the financial markets. In an article by Hugh Whelchel, Markets and Morality from a Biblical Perspective, he mentions a report by The Public Religion Research Institute which stated that a recent survey found that many American Christians believe that the free market system is inconsistent with Christian values. Consider the following from their report:

Overall more Americans believe that Christian values are at odds with capitalism and the free market than believe they are compatible. This pattern also holds among Christians. Among Christians in the U.S., only 38% believe that capitalism and free market are consistent with Christian values while 46% believe the two are at odds.

(RELATED: What History Channel's The Bible Can Teach Christian Entrepreneurs)

I believe the markets are not inherently evil. However, when immoral people absent submission to and direction from God get involved with anything including the financial markets, misuse and abuse are bound to happen.

Read the entire article Markets and Morality from a Biblical Perspective at http://blog.tifwe.org/markets-morality-from-a-biblical-perspective-part-two/

How do you perceive the free market economic system in relation to your faith? Leave your comments below...

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What Would Jesus Occupy?

12/15/2011

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Last week Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council in Washington, wrote an op-ed piece on CNN.com, entitled My Take: Jesus was a Free Marketer Not an Occupier. While I agree with some of his points about how Jesus’ parable in Luke 19 relates to a free market economy, Jesus also emphatically confronted those with power and influence who were greedy and took advantage of the less fortunate. One example is the account of how he dealt with the cheating businessmen, also found in Luke 19.

So whose side does Jesus really stand on, the 1% or the 99%? I believe we can find a clue in Joshua 3:13-15. Joshua was about the lead the nation of Israel into a battle with Jericho when he has an interesting encounter with someone whose affiliation and intentions are not initially obvious…

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” ~ Joshua 3:13-14
From this example, we can see that God has an approach to our situations that exceeds our human understanding, perspectives, and agendas (Isaiah 55:8-9). I believe Jesus would probably have some choice words for “Free Marketers” and “Occupiers”. He would challenge the Free Marketers to make money, but not to serve it. Instead they should their money to serve God’s purposes, which would include “helping widows and orphans” (James 1:27).

He would also challenge the Occupiers to appreciate and maximize what they have, just like the little boy with the small lunch of two fish and five loaves of bread (Mark 6:41). Contentment and thankfulness create an environment for God’s grace to provide more than enough for you and those you want to impact (Philippians 4:19).

The truth is Jesus died for the in the 1% and the in the 99%. He cares more about both of our eternal destinies then our earthly differences. However, he will use our earthly differences as learning and growing opportunities to get us closer to realizing our eternal destinies.

What are your thoughts? Which side do you think Jesus stands on, the 1% or the 99%?

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