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04ctd · 06-20-2014, 09:33 AM

The Workers' Pay

by Bill Moeny

"Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who reaped your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." James 5.4 (see also 5.1-6)

Does this apply to us as business owners? Have we failed to pay our workers their due? Have we lived in self-indulgence? Are we sharing the profits of the business with our employees or keeping it ourselves? Are we sharing the profits of the business with God? The business belongs to Him.

This is a challenging set of verses. Every one of us running a business in the United States is wealthy compared with the rest of the world. How are we dealing with that wealth? Do we understand that we are stewards of Christ's company and He owns it all (I Corinthians 7.23)? I believe this set of verses is challenging us to take our monetary decisions to the Lord and ask him how He wants us to treat His money. He has not given us these companies to enrich ourselves, but rather to further His Kingdom. How will he have us spend His money?

And another thing, are we doing business with suppliers who exploit their workers? Do we seek a lower price on a product at the expense of someoneÔÇÖs workers being unfairly treated? Or are we doing business with suppliers of integrity, who have righteous business practices and treat their employees fairly? Will God hold us accountable for the selection of the companies we do business with? These passages suggest that may be the case.

It seems the best course is to not make money-based decisions, but rather make all of our decisions God-based. And to make sure that we are taking care of His kingdom first, then our employees - before taking care of ourselves, as directed by Him. We need to spend substantial time in prayer with the Owner of the business to determine how He wants His resources spent; how He wants His employees cared for, and who He wants us to do business with. Our prayer relationship to God needs to be so strong and our management of His company so on-target that we will get a good performance review for managing it His way. (ÔÇ£Well done, good and faithful servant.ÔÇØ ÔÇô Luke 19.17)

06-20-2014, 09:33 AM	#44
04ctd Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ladson SC Posts: 4,388	The Workers' Pay by Bill Moeny "Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who reaped your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." James 5.4 (see also 5.1-6) Does this apply to us as business owners? Have we failed to pay our workers their due? Have we lived in self-indulgence? Are we sharing the profits of the business with our employees or keeping it ourselves? Are we sharing the profits of the business with God? The business belongs to Him. This is a challenging set of verses. Every one of us running a business in the United States is wealthy compared with the rest of the world. How are we dealing with that wealth? Do we understand that we are stewards of Christ's company and He owns it all (I Corinthians 7.23)? I believe this set of verses is challenging us to take our monetary decisions to the Lord and ask him how He wants us to treat His money. He has not given us these companies to enrich ourselves, but rather to further His Kingdom. How will he have us spend His money? And another thing, are we doing business with suppliers who exploit their workers? Do we seek a lower price on a product at the expense of someoneÔÇÖs workers being unfairly treated? Or are we doing business with suppliers of integrity, who have righteous business practices and treat their employees fairly? Will God hold us accountable for the selection of the companies we do business with? These passages suggest that may be the case. It seems the best course is to not make money-based decisions, but rather make all of our decisions God-based. And to make sure that we are taking care of His kingdom first, then our employees - before taking care of ourselves, as directed by Him. We need to spend substantial time in prayer with the Owner of the business to determine how He wants His resources spent; how He wants His employees cared for, and who He wants us to do business with. Our prayer relationship to God needs to be so strong and our management of His company so on-target that we will get a good performance review for managing it His way. (ÔÇ£Well done, good and faithful servant.ÔÇØ ÔÇô Luke 19.17) __________________ 1 Timothy 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.