What is a business?
A business is said to be a commercial activity of producing, buying, selling or supplying goods or services for the aim of making profit. The aim of every business is to make profit. As we know, every human are different in the things they want. For the sore aim of making profit, business personnel will have to derive methods of convincing his/her customers or consumers on why they should go for such goods. Competition is a major reason why consumers have choices to make in choosing a commodity out of a variety of other commodities of same purpose.
Tactic is the particular method one use to achieve something. In business, tactics are the methods in which business personnel or producers or entrepreneur employ in order for their commodity to be preferred to other commodities in the market. On the other hand, as we know, in the ways of Jesus Christ; the ethics of Christianity are far different from the circular ways.
What are business tactics and Christian ethics?
As we have seen, business tactics are the methods one employ in achieving the aim of setting up that business (Whether right or wrong); making profit. On Christian business ethics, these are the “do and don’ts” of the principles of Jesus Christ and his apostles in relation to business. Going by the normal business tactics, Christian business man might not be able to excel in the field of his business. Take for instance, a Christian is not allowed to work in a cigarettes company of a prostitute hotel.
A business man might buy or produce a commodity for say $500 but told his buyers that the commodity is $1000 just to make some profits. Were as, $600 would be enough to cater for the production cost and a little profit.
DID JESUS ENCOURAGE BUSINESS?
(John 2:13-16, John 6:9, 11-14, Matthew 25:14-30)
From the few bible verses above, Jesus encourages doing business not by indulging in it directly but by showing the tactics of making more of what was in his possession. In Matthew 25:14-30, it is a parable of Jesus illustrating the essence of making profit and hard work. Though the ways or tactics employed by those servants were not illustrated, the parable encourages profits. Also in the book of John 6:9, 11-14, we saw how Jesus took just five (5) loaves of bread to feed Five thousand (5000) men excluding woman and children and made an excess of 5 baskets extra (that is profit).
We saw in that same John how same Jesus chased all those trading in the house of God out. (John 2:13-16).
THE BIG QUESTIONS
- Is beating down of commodity price a right Christian business ethics? Take for instance, you went to a super market to buy some items; the seller told you he bought the items for $2000 but you still try to beat the price down. This scenario can be analyzed from in the buyer’s perspective or the seller’s perspective.
- ON THE BUYER’S PERSPECTIVE Beating down the price of those items is due to the value the buyer placed on those items. The buyer might feel it is a very right thing to do by beating down the price. What if the seller is actually right; probably his profit is just a $100 from the $2000? How much is too much gain or profit?
- ON THE SELLER’S PERSPECTIVE The seller knows more about his business. He knows how much he purchased or produces the goods he wants to sell. He might actually be gaining much but is for profit making whether much or little he does not care.
- Laying off employees in a company
- When an individual reserves goods in time of plenty to sell for a later time in which that commodity becomes scarce in order to make more profit. Is it right in the Christian business ethics? (Genesis 41:14-15, 25-57)
BIBLICAL VIEW
To both the buyer and seller, price tagging of a commodity is a thing of the production cost. It all depends on how the seller tagged it. Knowing full well that is much, average or little. Proverb 22:16 says: “He oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich will only come to want.
CHRISTIAN BUSINESS ETHICS
In Christianity, there is need to have a conscience. As a seller or buyer, put yourself in the condition of the other. If you were the seller, would you inflate price much more than you know your production cost?
Due to economy instability, a company or a business firm might decide to lay off workers to maximum profit and reduce cost of production. Is this a right Christian business ethic?
CONCLUSION
Doing business in the circular World is different from the ethics employed in doing business as a Christian. In a normal circular setting, lies are part of business tactic of which the bible hates. Other methods used in the circular business are far different from the ones a Christian is supposed to employ. It all channel down to conscience and love. As a Christian, tagging on items the price to sell a commodity determines how well you love your neighbors no matter whom they are. That is the Gospel of Christian; to show love and win souls to the Kingdom of God; Bearing in mind that our rewards are coming some day from God Almighty. (Luke 16:10-13).
The right things to do are in our heart. It it says the action is bad, that is God talking to us.