...BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business Book Review BUSI 301 In the book, “Business for the Glory of God”, the author, Wayne Grudem, states there are many aspects of business that a Christian can use to glorify God. The main aspects are Ownership, Productivity, Employment, Profit, Money and Borrowing and Lending. According to Grudem, all these things can bring glory to God in the way they reflect the nature that is God and His provision for man. God structured humans in such an intricate way to give them the ability to provide food, shelter and clothing for themselves and families. He also designed us to be a part of a community, one with an economic system for sustainability. The basis for all economic systems is free enterprise. The ability to govern one’s own business and to set forth the mandates therein is essential to the well being of any strong economy. In today’s marketplace, many consumers have become weary of businesses due to the high level of corruptness and the large amount of government interference. Grudem suggest that rather than business being viewed with inherently evil motives, consumers should understand that business activities are sometimes manipulated and used as a means to sin. In this book, he proposes that the practice and nature of business is a blessing given by God to mankind. The Introduction and fist chapter begin by acknowledging that many view business ownership as a means to procure...
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...After to read the book Business for the Glory of God, where the author Grudem, tries to explain us different areas in the business world trying to connect with God’s word. It works perfectly with economic models, and we can try figure out which one of this models can match better according to the Bible. Capitalism is an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled not by the State, but by private owners looking for profit. Capitalism is basically based on private ownership, economic freedom, and competition. This concept works with two chapters of the book, Chapter 1 and Chapter 8. Chapter 1, Ownership, tell us about private property and how our desire to be owner of things is a gift by God and how He sees the good things we can apply with our possessions, and doing a relation with the Bible, we can see in Isaiah 65:21-22, “No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands”....
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...According to the Bible in 1 Corinthians 10:31 it says, so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." The author of The Business for the Glory of God must have derived their inspiration from this verse and interpreted the “whatever” to mean, among other things, business. One intriguing question many may ask is why someone would venture into trying to relate the business ideology with the aspects of God seeing that theological studies always tend to distance themselves from the worldly business wealth creation activities. Wayne Grudem goes a long way to try and answer these questions in his book The Business for the Glory of God. Grudem makes a point out that most people fail to recognize and hence miss out on...
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...The Glory of God Can Be In the Business World I know that before I read Wayne Grudem’s book, I felt as if I didn’t really want to be in the business world because of all the negative aspects that I’ve heard. Our society today idolizes money and success and if you don’t rely on God then you will easily fall into the snares of the devil. “God created us in such a way that we would want to imitate his character. He created us in such a way that we would take spontaneous delight in seeing reflections of his character in our own actions and in the actions of others” (pg. 15). Even in the Business World, this is possible. Grudem discusses 9 key business activities that will help you be able to glorify God through business. The 9 key business activities are Ownership, Productivity, Employment, Commercial Transactions, Profits, Money, Inequality of Possessions, Competitions, Borrowing and Lending. There were also two chapters on the Attitudes of the Heart and the Effect on World poverty. I loved how in every chapter, Grudem starts with “…is fundamentally good and provides many opportunities for glorifying God but also many temptations to sin” and ends with, “But the distortions of something good must not cause us to think the thing itself is evil…” I feel as if he did this just to emphasize the dangers of greed, envy, and materialism and show us that the business it’s self isn’t evil, but if you give in to temptation, it is a wicked place. Grudem tells us that we can live a life for...
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...Wayne Grudem’s Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business analyzes a myriad of misconstrued facets of business and how these facets are rather intended and are able to be implemented as acts that glorify God. Primarily, these various components of business carry negative connotations, because, it seems, more often than not that businesses fall into corruption and scandal due to greed and lust. Grudem does an exceptional job in explaining that it is not the concepts of business themselves, such as money or owning multiple possessions, that are evil, but rather the acts of coveting, idolizing, or being wicked stewards of money or possessions. In business, Grudem articulates, the main position supported...
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...Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business Book Review Nathan Minor Liberty University The book that is under review is “Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business” by Wayne Grudem. It is a useful resource for looking at business from different prospects. First off, it addresses a view on relationships between business and religion. Secondly, it shows how different philosophies connect. Lastly, Mr. Grudem does a great job nudging readers to look at a different perspective. First I would like to start this review by mentioning the main ideas and points of this book. The author of “Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business” proposes to the readers that business itself glorifies God when it is conducted in a way that imitates God’s character and creation. All elements of how a business operates like profit, money, competition, borrowing, should glorify God because they are reflective of God’s nature. In Business for the Glory of God, Wayne Grudem points out, “When people ask how their lives can ‘glorify God,’ they aren’t usually told, ‘Go into business.’” Yet business is where God calls many, if not most, Christians to serve him. Though they can repeat that familiar line from the Westminster Confession, “the chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever” (Peel 2015). What he is saying is few are encouraged to run their business for...
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...Business For The Glory of GOD Can business activity in itself be morally good and pleasing to God? This is the main question we are looking at in reading the book this term. In my readings I have found some very interesting thoughts and questions about business, God and business in a Godly perspective. In each chapter of the book, Grudem explains to us that business is essentially a gift from God, therefore is good. In Business for the Glory of God, Grudem explores the following aspects of business activity: 1. Ownership 2. Productivity 3. Employment 4. Commercial Transactions (buying and selling) 5. Profit 6. Money 7. Inequality of Possessions 8. Competition 9. Borrowing and Lending 10. Attitudes of Heart 11. Effect on World Poverty One chapter in Business for the Glory of God talks about borrowing and lending. As some Christians refuse to accrue any debt, this chapter helps to give insight regarding the acceptance of certain debt. If one is purchasing a home, then signing a mortgage loan for 30 years is normal. The main objective in borrowing money or accruing debt is the intent to repay in the proper time line. Borrowing can be unwise. In cases where one borrows too much and cannot repay, this does go against the Bibles teachings. Proverbs 22:7 says, “the wicked borrows but does not pay back.” When used in a responsible manner lending and borrowing can bring much good to the economy. Grudem explains how the “process...
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...developed the Compact to live according to the “Glory of God.” These two things should have mattered greatly to my ancestor Isaac Allerton, who was the fifth member of Plimouth to sign the Compact. In doing such, he made a pledge not just as a signing male member of the colony but as the future Assistant Governor to serve the needs for the “General good of the colony.” It is my hope that Allerton’s intentions began as pure, with the plan to build up the colony, but I believe greed won out. I struggle the most, not with his money making schemes because I believe it is that outside of the box thinking that caused him to travel on the Mayflower in the first place, but with his set up of competitive trading post areas alongside those of the colony. I don’t...
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...Christian Social Thought puts it, the “encumbered self.” Religionists are not simply free-will individuals bound to choose their religious convictions as they choose between McDonalds or Burger King. Rather, people of faith are fundamentally identified by their faith convictions and communities. These commitments are seemingly foreign to the court that Hitchcock describes. Will religious institutions, as a community of faith, be able to withstand employment discrimination lawsuits posed by individuals? Will parents, as the children’s most fundamental community, continue to be able to pass on religious values, through private education and homeschooling, even if deemed divisive and irrational by society at large? Furthermore, a liberal worldview that views true knowledge as rational and leaves issues of faith to personal speculations necessarily gives religious believers a disadvantage in the area of church-state relations. As Hitchcock accurately explains, the court, by defining religion as irrational and subjective belief may provide the benefits of the free exercise clause to political and philosophic viewpoints, including secularism. On the other hand, the establishment clause restricts the actions of traditional religions such as Christianity, while allowing other “faiths” to escape. This disadvantage plays out not only in traditional church-state issues such as funding (e.g., faith-based initiatives) but also in the rapidly escalating church-state discussion surrounding moral...
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...beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen 1-1). God made the world out of his own image. God creates man and woman, which are Adam and Eve. With many plans for us human beings, like for man and woman to be fruitful here on earth but sin came along which led to a sinful world and the death of the human race. God’s creation of the living world was designed for his own glory and because he desired to share his life with others. The beginning of the world is a plan of the power, love, and goodness of him. His purpose was to create a natural world were man could follow and glorify him. Thus, the biblical worldview of today’s life is that half of the human race that he has created does not glorify him, just as he had intended it to be. The human race of today’s time and even of thousands of years ago does not obey God’s will. He created man so that we can follow and learn from him. The world we live in was intended for his own glory and because he desired to share his life with each and every one of us. The creation of the world is an example of the power, love, and goodness of God. As someone who is majoring in business administration in communications, I would use my beliefs to glorify our Lord by learning his ways of interacting with others. This is how I would communicate in my position as someone with a business degree. Most importantly with integrity just as Jesus did. The biblical worldview of today’s life shows the opposite of what God intended. God had created...
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...Business Comparison Paper Larry Jackson Ohio Christian University Author’s note This paper was prepared for Business Law (ONB54), taught by Professor Tino Business Comparison Paper A vertical market relationship is connections between the firm, customers, and supplier. In which companies within any given vertical market are mostly the same in solving similar issues. Most of these markets are very competitive because of overlapping focal points of the manufactured goods being provided to the customer. Examples of vertical markets are: insurance, real estate, banking, heavy manufacturing, retail, transportation, hospitals, and government. Vertical market relation is the process in which several steps in the production and/or distribution of a product or service are controlled by a single company or entity, in order to increase that company’s or entity’s power in the marketplace (Dharma, 2009). There are basically 3 classifications of Vertical Integration namely: Backward integration where in the company tries to own an input product company. Forward integration the business tries to control the post production areas, namely the distribution network. Like a mobile company opening its own Mobile retail chain. Balanced integration a mix of the above two balanced strategy to take advantages of both the worlds. In the external analysis customers play a key role because of their characteristics determine the firm’s market opportunities (Dharma, 2009). It is the glory of...
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...live for you Please turn in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 1 were are going to look at verses 26,27, and 28. Stop at at and God Blessed them. My bible has commentary to further explain what is going in vs ‘s 26 and 27. You know as I read this I began to think wow we were made in God’s glory. Yet we were born in sin and shapen in inquity. And then we were given another opportunity to live for his glory thru Jesus’ death. However we don’t want to give up the sinful nature. We relish in it. When we can be delivered from sin by accepting Christ as our personal Savior. Another thing I find amazing is that God has to become appealing to a heart he created. Sin is deep and we need to recognize our sinful condition. We have a problem accepting our creator and then wonder why our children turn on us . We say we have to give up to much to live for Jesus and I just not reafy. I have to give up the club scene , I have to give up being promiscuous, I have to give up what I like to eat. I have to make my body a living sacracfice holy and acceptable to God which is my reasonable service. I can’t be conformed to the world but I have to be transformed by the renewing of my mind that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Yes, we quote scriptures because we show up for church and sometimes listen and allow the word of God to speak us and we know it right but it’s still to hard. And we think we can hide the way we live our lives from Jesus. We think...
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...All for the Glory of God As a Christian, I truly believe that whatever I do needs to be for the glory of God, following the verse from 1 Corinthians 10:31. The way I use computers, software, and information systems respects that way of life even though there are no specific verses in the bible referencing the way people should use technology. Doing all for the glory of God encompasses my actions and attitudes in their entirety. It is not only how I use them but also what I do through them. I will respect the software creator and programmers by paying for the software as opposed to illegally downloading it online; in the same way I will only use the program for good rather than a means of disgracing people or falsifying information. Computers and the systems that go on them are all incredibly useful for different operations in life and I believe we should not tarnish that helpfulness. Ethical situations involving computers and software arise frequently. High school and college students are continuously plagued with propaganda about illegalities of downloading music, movies, and software programs from online. It is a serious problem happening all around the world, depriving artists and stores from hard earned money. The right way to go about building a media library would not be to stock up on free downloads but to instead pay for the media, an outcome that does not resonate with the current generation. Software programs are also taken from online but cost a lot more money than...
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... April 17, 2016 Everyone has a worldview, no matter who they may be. Whatever a persons’ view is, it is what drives their every action; it is what makes them who they are. Worldviews have caused major wars yet they have also led some to perform extreme acts of love. The Jewish people are driven by their ritualistic love and devotion to God, while Islam is driven by acts of kindness in order to face their maker. I feel that it is more than that; I hold true to a Biblical worldview that is explained best by Paul in Romans 1-8. Paul helps to explain how I view the natural world and how nature is the canvas of God, showing His power and majesty. When I look at these chapters, how I feel about human identity and our relationship with God and others is solidified. The very culture in which we live in is mirrored by Pauls’ letter to the Romans, as if he was speaking directly to the people living today. My worldview begins with God and the world around me. I look at nature and witness His glory everywhere my eyes set. It makes no sense to me how anyone can see the things that they see and not believe and worship. To deny God the glory of His creation is to reject Him completely. We are left with no excuses as Romans 1:20 shows, for when He created life, He “revealed Himself in nature in a such a way to hold all people responsible.” When we step outside on a beautiful spring day and a...
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...Where did He get such Wisdom! Wisdom and a Fresh Anointing of the Holy Spirit for New Seasons & New Beginnings... The Lord wants to anoint us with supernatural wisdom that will cause people to say, “How did he get so smart?” They said that of Jesus. Mark 6:2b And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! You see, we need that again in the Church. We need to set the standard for the world. Jesus lived His life plugged into the Flow of the Spirit of Wisdom, so His life, on a day to day basis, demonstrated skillful living that glorified and demonstrated the reality of the Kingdom of God. Don’t you want an impartation from the Spirit of wisdom? I believe we're coming into new seasons and new times in the Lord. It's not that it’s new to Him, it's new to us. The Church needs to operate in the Spirit of wisdom and understanding now! We need to raise up a standard, not by our ability, but by being plugged into the Spirit of wisdom, this is not information or performance, but skillful ability and understanding that releases authority and strong leadership. We are seeing major changes all around that will and has effect each of our lives and more are on the way. If there was ever a time for you and I to live and operate out of the Spirit of Wisdom it is Now! Please know that I'm not talking about what your ability is or a few nuggets...
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