- May 11, 2005
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I wrote this in my blog a while back, and would like some feedback on it. Upon rereading it, at least to me, it seems I come across less than humble. Perhaps one of the issues of blogging at 4AM.
Thoughts on Faith and Business
I'm a Christian, I write about Jesus in my blog. Its who I am. If someone doesn't agree, we can debate, discuss things, enter into business together. or they can hit the back button and surf elsewhere.
I'm open to most anything business wise... you want something, I'll do it, as long as you pay. However, as a Christian, I'm not going to build or design things for illegal or for questionable purposes. I'm also not going to go out and steal intellectual property for you, or do extremely shady reverse engineering. Nor am I going to cut corners such that someones life is in danger. I will avoid dodgy deals. Be being upfront with my faith, I end up sending a lot of really lucrative business away. My relationship with Jesus serves as a guide as to what to do, and what not to do. My writings about my faith serve as a filter to keep those who would want something dodgy from wasting my time.
Unfortunately, they may also serve to discourage those from differing religious views. I'm not sure of this, as I've had customers in over 30 countries, and on every continent excluding Antartica.
One person on ryze brought something to light quite a while ago, that I had never thought of. I had to do some serious thinking about what they said. Unfortunately, this was in the beginings, so I never made a note of who they were. However, there was a lot of wisdom it what they had to say.
From their point of view, a person who advocates religion in their business is using it to create a security blanket for their customers. Eg trust me, I'm a Christian, and as such, do business with me, your safe. I had never thought of it that way, it seemed backwords, really backwards, but upon reflection, I can see it as a possible perception. The big problems with doing so is two fold.
1st, I think it is hanging ones shingle out with an endorsement from Jesus. To me, that cheapens ones relationship with Him. I tend to think of the money changers in the temple. While it may be perfectly fine through His grace, I personally have issues with doing so.
2ndly, mistakes and screwups are going to happen. We are far from perfect. We also having fallen from grace have a major sin nature. As such, by promoting myself as a Christian business, and then screwing up, it puts Christ in a negative light.
These are some serious issues that one has to consider. If one is promoting their business based on the coat-tails of their faith, I think it is wrong to do so. Still I do not know the person's heart, so I can't say. I do know that it would be wrong for me.
Otoh, if one is using their business as a way of sharing their relationship with Jesus, and/or the relationship is such a part of them, the scenario is totally different. They know they will be held accountable for the screwups they make. They also know in the worlds view, talking about Jesus does not make one popular, and by doing so it will open them up to a multitude of headaches and travails, as well as reduced profitability. It is one of the costs of following the Lord.
Thanks
Ron
Thoughts on Faith and Business
I'm a Christian, I write about Jesus in my blog. Its who I am. If someone doesn't agree, we can debate, discuss things, enter into business together. or they can hit the back button and surf elsewhere.
I'm open to most anything business wise... you want something, I'll do it, as long as you pay. However, as a Christian, I'm not going to build or design things for illegal or for questionable purposes. I'm also not going to go out and steal intellectual property for you, or do extremely shady reverse engineering. Nor am I going to cut corners such that someones life is in danger. I will avoid dodgy deals. Be being upfront with my faith, I end up sending a lot of really lucrative business away. My relationship with Jesus serves as a guide as to what to do, and what not to do. My writings about my faith serve as a filter to keep those who would want something dodgy from wasting my time.
Unfortunately, they may also serve to discourage those from differing religious views. I'm not sure of this, as I've had customers in over 30 countries, and on every continent excluding Antartica.
One person on ryze brought something to light quite a while ago, that I had never thought of. I had to do some serious thinking about what they said. Unfortunately, this was in the beginings, so I never made a note of who they were. However, there was a lot of wisdom it what they had to say.
From their point of view, a person who advocates religion in their business is using it to create a security blanket for their customers. Eg trust me, I'm a Christian, and as such, do business with me, your safe. I had never thought of it that way, it seemed backwords, really backwards, but upon reflection, I can see it as a possible perception. The big problems with doing so is two fold.
1st, I think it is hanging ones shingle out with an endorsement from Jesus. To me, that cheapens ones relationship with Him. I tend to think of the money changers in the temple. While it may be perfectly fine through His grace, I personally have issues with doing so.
2ndly, mistakes and screwups are going to happen. We are far from perfect. We also having fallen from grace have a major sin nature. As such, by promoting myself as a Christian business, and then screwing up, it puts Christ in a negative light.
These are some serious issues that one has to consider. If one is promoting their business based on the coat-tails of their faith, I think it is wrong to do so. Still I do not know the person's heart, so I can't say. I do know that it would be wrong for me.
Otoh, if one is using their business as a way of sharing their relationship with Jesus, and/or the relationship is such a part of them, the scenario is totally different. They know they will be held accountable for the screwups they make. They also know in the worlds view, talking about Jesus does not make one popular, and by doing so it will open them up to a multitude of headaches and travails, as well as reduced profitability. It is one of the costs of following the Lord.
Thanks
Ron