Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

Jesus modeled two types of Love for us.

Ameliorative Love.

And –

Self-sacrificing Love.

When we practice Ameliorative Love we help others.

But, the practice of Ameliorative Love leaves us essentially unchanged.

We do all that The Lord requires of us in Matthew 25:35-36 –

We feed the hungry.

We give drink to the thirsty.

We shelter the immigrant.

We clothe the naked.

We visit the sick.

We comfort the imprisoned.

But, none of this changes our circumstances.

We continue to remain as we were –

Middle class, or, lower middle class.

[The rich, who have no time from counting out their money, rarely practice such Christian Love.]

There is, however, another form of Christian Love.

A greater form of Christian Love.

A higher form of Christian Love.

It’s Self-sacrificing Love.

When we practice Self-sacrificing Love, yes, we help others.

But –

The practice of Self-sacrificing Love leaves us dramatically changed.

We empty ourselves –

To fill others.

But, in emptying ourselves we are not, ourselves, made poor.

Whatever void we have created in our lives Our Lord immediately fills with Love!

The greatest example of Self-sacrificing Love is, of course, –

Our Lord on The Cross –

Where He gave His Life for the salvation of all –

All whom He has created.

We cannot ever make such an Act of Love –

Being human.

But, we can come very close.

Examples of Ameliorative Love have been explored above.

Aspects of Self-sacrificing Love in the next post.

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

Acts 6:1-7 lays out a strategy for the growth of a Christian Business.

Circa AD 35 [Reese chronology] –

This is now some 6 years after Jesus’ Death and Resurrection –

There arose a murmuring in the Christian Community [Acts 6:1].

The Greek converts murmured against the Hebrews because they felt that Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministration.

The Twelve Apostles [Acts 1:13] assembled the Community.  {See corrigendum, below.}

[Note: Paul was not yet part of the group of Apostles.  He was converted 2 years later, in AD 37].

And, appointed 7 men of honest report [Acts 6:2-6] to handle the ministration.

These honest men restored Fairness to the distribution of the necessaries.

“…..and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly;…..” [Acts 6:7 KJV – King James Version]

What caused the growth of the Christian Community?

Fairness.

Our Lord blessed The Apostles’ actions with increase and abundance, that distant day.

And, will sanctify that of Christian Businessmen today.

With progress and advancement.

If Christian Businessmen employ Fairness as a business strategy.

Fairness to one’s Suppliers, one’s Employees, one’s Customers, and oneself.

The growth of a Christian business is as simple as that.

{Corrigendum 05/14/2013 at 5:49 pm EDST — Acts 1:13 lists Eleven Apostles — as it should be.  For, Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, had committed suicide after betraying Jesus.  Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias [Acts 1:26].}

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

The other day I was talking to a Christian Businessman.

“If a Buddhist, or a Hindu, or a Jewish, or a Muslim, businessman asked you – ‘what is Christianity?’ – what would you say?”

A distant look came into the Christian Businessman’s eyes.

“That’s difficult to define,” he said, finally.  “Christianity is so wide.  So expansive.  So deep.”

“I agree,” I replied.  “But, if you’re going to go into the height and width and depth of Christianity, you’re going to lose the guy.”

He nodded.

“You’re never going to be able to evangelize – never going to bring the message of Christ – with that kind of talk.”

He nodded, again.

Aware that I was right.

“There has to be an elevator pitch,” I explained.  “The 9 or 10 words that express the essence of Christianity.  That you can pitch in 15 seconds, or so.”

“Can’t be done,” he asserted, confidently.

“But, it can be,” I replied.  “Jesus did it Himself.”

He seemed bemused.

“Too big.  Too big,” he said of Christianity.  “Too big to cut down into 9 or 10 words.”

“But, Jesus did,” I averred.  “Jesus did it Himself.”

My friend seemed perplexed.

“You have to remember,” I continued, “that Jesus was a master pitchman.  He had to get the elevator pitch exactly right.  Even in His times.  Nobody, He knew, had the time to listen to a big bhashan [speech].

“So He cut down Christianity into 9 or 10 words?”

My friend seemed skeptical.

“He did,” I said.  “And, this is all of Christianity –

“Love one another, as I have Loved you.”

He thought about it a moment.

“That’s it?

”That’s it,” I replied.  “Short.  Sweet.  Simple.”

He began to nod, again.  Now, with comprehension.

“I get it,” he said.  “Evangelization 101.  Love one another.  As I have Loved you.”

“That’s John 13:34, paraphrased,” I added.

“Of course!” he assented.  The catechesis of his childhood years coming back.

“The reason why Christian Businessmen fail to evangelize” I continued, “is because they cannot explain the essence of Christianity in 9 or 10 words.

“As Jesus did.”

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

How Christian businessmen can live with their conscience –

Or, even, sleep at night –

I am unable to comprehend –

Considering the brutal, highhanded, way in which they destroy jobs in the US–

And, outsource them, blithely, to China or India?

Their motivation for so doing is clear enough –

To secure profits for the shareholders –

By destroying the lives of their workers.

Is outsourcing necessary?

Businessmen might think so.

But, in my view, based on 30 years of work experience, it is not.

Why do businessmen resort to outsourcing?

Because, they have a Cost issue.

The goods [or services] they produce are just simply too expensive to produce in the US.

So, businessmen outsource the work –

In order to maintain competitiveness in the marketplace –

And, also, to increase profits.

Most of which goes into their pockets.

This is, clearly, an unchristian way of running a business.

A Christian cannot profit by inflicting suffering on another.

The Christian way of approaching the Cost issue is this –

Gather everyone – labor, management, executives – together.

Lay out the Cost issue before the assembled body.

Design a plan for shared sacrifice –

By everyone.

Where under –

The lowest paid are not affected –

While those above, all the way up to the C-suite, take a progressively larger and larger hit.

Till the Cost issue is resolved.

This is shared sacrifice.  This is the Christian way.

This Christian way of resolving the Cost issue –

Obviates outsourcing.

Saves jobs.

Maintains employment.

Preserves the community.

In the very rare case where such Christian action cannot resolve the Cost issue –

The Christian businessman can outsource –

With a clean conscience.

In conclusion, then –

This is the Christian way of outsourcing –

Sending work abroad only after every other conceivable way of keeping it at home has failed.

And, it’s very different from the Capitalist.

Which is mindless.  And, immoral.

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

It’s a great tragedy that Evangelicals and the Religious Right have endorsed Capitalism.

Presenting Capitalism as the solution to all the economic problems that our country has faced since the [President George W] Bush recession of 2007.

Not acknowledging that it was the greed of the financial industry that –

[1] led to the writing of sub-prime mortgages, and –

[2] the bundling of these sub-prime mortgages into CDOs [collateralized debt obligations] –

Which, together, were primarily responsible for the collapse of the housing bubble –

And, The Great Recession – the worst since The Great Depression – that followed.

Greed, of course, is the child of Competition.

And, Competition is the heart of Capitalism.

However, Competition – so beloved of the Evangelicals and the Religious Right — is antithetical to everything Christian.

Nowhere in The Gospels does Jesus endorse Competition.

Jesus, rather, preaches Service.

The heart of Christianity is Service.

To Serve.

“…..the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve…..”. [Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 NIV – New International Version]

Not to crush another; but, to lift him up.

That’s what makes Christianity, both –

Different from –

And, better than –

Capitalism.

And, it’s a great tragedy that Evangelicals and the Religious Right don’t see that.

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

Matthew 5:44 is the most electrifying statement in history.

“…..Love your enemies…..”

A command quite antithetical to our human nature –

As Jesus Himself pointed out:

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt …..hate thine enemy.”  [Matthew 5:43 KJV – King James Version]

Hating the enemy comes to us naturally.

But, then — what’s the point of being Christian?

Hence, the Christian command –

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies…..”  [Matthew 5:44 KJV]

Why does Jesus tell us to – Love your enemies?

For this reason –

If you sow Love, you will reap Love.

However –

If you sow bombs, you will reap jihadists.

If you sow trust, you will reap commitment.

If you sow anger, you will reap rebellion.

From this –

The lesson of Matthew 5:44 for the Christian businessman is quite clear:

If you sow Love, you will reap loyalty.

Which is a most commendable form of Love.

Because –

From loyalty flow –

Duty,

Honor,

Integrity, and

Zeal.

All of which lead to success in enterprise.

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

Yesterday, May 1, 2012 the Christian world celebrated the Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker.

St Joseph is so honored by the Christian world because he was Righteous.

A Just person.

Whose conduct was Morally Right.

No such Righteousness was evident at Caterpillar Inc yesterday.

Caterpillar is the world’s biggest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.

The actions that Caterpillar took yesterday were not only Unjust.  They are Morally Wrong.

In one word, Unchristian.

Caterpillar made $1.5 billion in profits in the 1^st quarter of 2012.

Its global sales topped $60 billion last year.

Caterpillar rewarded its CEO [Chief Executive Officer] Doug Oberhelman with a 42% increase of his pay package.

Caterpillar rewarded its Workers with this package –

No pay increases for 6 years.

And, doubling the contribution they pay for health care.

Is this Fair?

Is this Christian?

The CEO of Caterpillar getting a fat pay increase –

And his workers getting the shaft?

Is this Fair?

Is this Christian?

Caterpillar, taking from the Poor –

To reward the Rich?

Can we not expect better behavior from a Christian company: a company where the majority of management is Christian?

Should they not be Just?

Should they not share the gains made by the Company –

With the very People, the workers, the labor, who made these gains possible, in the first place?

The reaction from Caterpillar –

Screw the People – its own workers.

Use replacement Labor, instead.

What would St Joseph the Worker think of Caterpillar’s management?

We read in The Gospels that Our Lord spoke to St Joseph.

And, St Joseph listened.

And, the world was a better place.

Jesus can reach Caterpillar’s management.

But, will they listen?

Choose to make their world a better place?

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Continuing exploration on washingtonhotwire.com of issues at the intersection of Christianity and Business

Does Christianity oppose Success?

Did Jesus condemn Success?

The story of the James and John and their desire for Success does shed some light on Jesus’ views on the subject.

See Matthew 20:20-28 KJV [King James Version].

And, Mark 10:35-45 KJV.  Where we read –

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto Him, saying, Master, we would that Thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

“And He said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

“They said unto Him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on They right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory” [Mark 10:35-37 KJV].

This, the seeking a Special Favor of Jesus for themselves, did not sit well with the other Apostles.

“And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.”  [Mark 10:41 KJV]

Jesus, then, explains the Christian doctrine on the subject to them –

By referencing Himself:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  [Mark 10:45 KJV]

That is, as Christians –

We seek Success not for ourselves –

“…..not to be ministered unto,…..”

We help The Other to Succeed –

“…..but to minister,…..”

And, not just The Other –

But, as Jesus indicates –

The “many.”

What this incident shows is that –

Christianity does not oppose Success –

Nor, does Jesus condemn it.

Clearly, Jesus did not condemn James and John.

Rather, he put their desire for Success in the Christian context.

Whereunder, the Success of the Individual –

In this particular case, the two Individuals –

James and John –

Cannot be at the expense of Others.

In a nutshell, what Jesus is saying is this –

The tide of Christianity lifts all boats.

Not just two.

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]