Christian business ethics: principles and practice

¶ … business is business ethics. Business ethics is of paramount concern particularly as it relates to Christian business owners. The purpose of this discussion is to evaluate the claim that theology, spirituality, and/or religious beliefs play a role in the business world.

Business Ethics

Business Ethics involve a wide range of issues related to the treatment of customers and employees alike. Business ethics describes the manner in which or the moral compass by which business is conducted. Business ethics is related to the way that employees are treated and the rights they have under the employee/employer contract (Vickers, 2005).

As it relates to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Business ethics there is a definite relationship. The principles of Catholic Social teaching provides guidelines by which the Christian is supposed to live. These guidelines pertain not only to familial and social relationships, but also to the manner in which business is conducted. In fact each of the principles can be related to business ethics.

The first principle, and the foundation for Catholic Social Teaching is the life and dignity of the human person. As it relates to business ethics this teaching asserts that "every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching)." Therefore as it relates to this principle Christian businesses should ensure that the lives of employees and customers are being enhanced or their lives are being added to and not degraded. Christian businesses must evaluate the type of product or service that is being sold to ensure that those products or services improve the lives of customers. For instance a Christian business should not be involved in selling products that encourage immoral behavior such as pornography. The selling of such products would not the life or dignity of the customer or the employee.

Also the Catholic Social teachings present the two principles of a call to family, community and participation and rights and responsibilities associated with human dignity (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). The first principle asserts that people have a right and a responsibility to contribute to society, pursuing the common good and well-being of all, particularly those that are poor and vulnerable (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). As it pertains to Christian business, this principle should influence business owners to encourage employees to get involved in the community. For their part Christian businesses could offer a certain amount of paid leave so that employees can volunteer.

Many businesses offer such incentives to encourage volunteerism. Such an incentive would be in line with this principle and the teachings of Jesus Christ which admonishes followers to always consider the poor. This is also in line with the rights and responsibilities associated with human dignity which asserts that we have a responsibility to one another.

The principles of Catholic social teaching also present an option for the poor and vulnerable (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). This principle asserts that Christians should always be concerned about what is happening to the poorest individuals in our society. The church also asserts that because we live in a society where there is a deepening divide between the rich and the poor, there must be a concern for the consequences that will materialize as a result of this divide (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). One of the primary reasons for this divide has to do with education. As it relates the Christian businesses, owners should encourage workers and customers to pursue education through reimbursement programs for workers and scholarship programs for customers and the general public. Encouraging the pursuit of education will be beneficial to the company and to society in the long run.

The Catholic Church also presents a principle concerning the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. This principle asserts that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected -- the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching)."

As it relates to the Christian business, this principle should encourage business owners to pay their employees a living wage. A living wage guarantees that an individual will be able to afford the basic necessities in life (i.e. food, clothing, shelter).

The living wage varies depending on the location but many jobs in America do not pay workers a living wage even when they have been working there for a substantial amount of time. As an aspect of business ethics, Christian business owners should evaluate the amount of pay that workers receive and make certain that it is a living wage. Paying workers at least a living wage allows them to have human dignity which is the underlying principle in Catholic social teaching.

This teaching also encourages the right to unionize, to own private property, and economic initiative (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). This means that Christian businesses should provide workers with information as it relates to unions. Business owners should also encourage workers to purchase homes as opposed to renting. This could be accomplished through workshops related to the process of purchasing a house including credit ratings, and obtaining a mortgage.

The principles of social teaching also present the idea of solidarity. This principle has to do with the fact that we are all human-beings regardless of race, class, ethnicity, handicap or religion (Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). As it pertains to Christian business ethic, this principle confirms that neither employees nor customers should be discriminated against for any reason. In addition, business owners should attempt to prevent employees form discriminating against one another.

Finally the principle of Care for God's creation is also related to business ethics. Caring for creation is particularly important in this day and age as the threat of global warning and the problems caused by pollution are an ever increasing threat. As a result of these issues, businesses should implement every measure possible to protect the environment. This means there should be careful attention paid to the disposal of waste, harmful emissions, biodegradable packaging and the conservation of energy. For many years Christians and Christian organizations have refuted the assertion the global warming even existed, but today there is irrefutable evidence that global warming exists and the consequences are now being felt. With these things being understood Christian businesses must act in a manner that is responsible as it relates to how the operation of the business impacts the environment.