Practicing Christian Love In The Marketplace

Christian Love is also known as Agape Love or Unconditional Love.

That is, Loving Action directed towards another.

Loving Action can be of 2 different types.

A Loving Action directed towards another — without any expectation of a Return.

You agree to put a Less Advantaged Child through College – knowing full–well that in so doing your Life and Lifestyle will be somewhat affected.

Knowing full-well, also, that the Less Advantaged Child cannot pay you back.  Nor, his/her family.

Certainly not in the Short Run.  But, maybe in the very Long Run.  The Long Run – when Time cancels all debts.

Lee Innocenti, President of Performance Strategies Ltd, an International Consulting Company, and, an occasional contributor to these pages, did just that. 

And, today, her protégée is a successful Human Resources Specialist at one of America’s most prestigious Corporations.

Lee Innocenti typifies what in Christianity is called Shepherd Love.

Wherein, the Shepherd picks up the Less Advantaged sheep and puts it around his neck.  And, carries it.  Till the sheep can make it on its own.

There is another type of Christian Love – another type of Loving Action.

And, that is Self-Sacrificing Love.

Wherein a person Sacrifices his/her Life for another.

We see many examples of Shepherd Love around us.  Both in business, and in personal life.

Self-Sacrificing Love is more difficult to come by in the Marketplace.

But, it happens.

Donating your own Vacation and Sick days to a co-worker in need is one form of Self-Sacrificing Love.

Most often seen in the Healthcare, Government, and Nonprofit, sectors.

Rarely in the Private sector.

But, there is a way in which Christians in the Private sector can practice Self-Sacrificing Love.

Christians who have worked many years, or who are comfortable financially, can offer to resign. 

So that a young person, just married, just starting his/her family, will be spared when the next round of Layoffs occur.   

 
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.

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