Justice in the Marketplace

“Over four hundred times Scripture speaks of justice and righteousness and frequently calls for them in the context of the marketplace.”  (Richard C. Chewning, Biblical Principles & Business: The Practice).  Micah 6:6-8 challenges me:

6 What can we bring to the LORD?
  What kind of offerings should we give him?
Should we bow before God
  with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
  and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
  to pay for our sins?

8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
  and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
  and to walk humbly with your God.

To do “what is right” or “justice” is the theme of this Weekly Insight.  We’ll begin to look at what it means to do “justice” in several different business relationships (several adapted from Dr. Chewning). 

Doing Justice to Employers

Doing justice means we will give a full day’s work for a full day’s pay (Colossians 3:23, Romans 14:6-9, 1 Corinthians, 10:31, Colossians 3:17).  Halfhearted work qualifies as theft.  It also means that we do right with regard to the use of business property (expense accounts, not using office supplies at home, etc.).  Obeying policies is another way to demonstrate justice in the marketplace.  We are to submit to those in authority over us as long as their requests do not contradict God’s expressed will (Ephesians 5:21, 6:5-9).  Being loyal to our employer is another righteous act. 

Doing Justice to Employees

“Although the free market system has over time enhanced the physical standard of living for a larger proportion of society’s population than any other economic system, the free market is still not devoid of rather wide-spread compensation injustices.”  As business owners, we must be careful that we do not fall under the judgment called out in Malachi 3:5 on persons “who oppress the wage earner in his wages.”  Economic laws alone do not determine equity in the marketplace. 

Business owners should also attempt to allow each individual employee to grow as a person while in their employment.  This will involve not only training but encouraging and rewarding employees for creative ideas and stewardly conduct.  Justice also demands that we have a sincere concern for the health and safety of our employees (Deuteronomy 22:8).  By the way, this goes beyond mere physical safety of the workplace but extends to our concern about stress in the workplace and its effect on the health and well-being of our employees’ family life.  Making decisions automatically results in discrimination.  However, God is not a respecter of persons and unjust discrimination is an abomination to Him.  So when we have to discriminate in making wise choices, we make sure we are discriminating justly. 

Doing Justice to Peers

Love encourages the best, even in the face of inadequacies.  Justice desires for us to be as Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement (Acts 4:36), building up our peers in an honest and constructive manner.  Justice also demands that we give credit where credit is due.  Helping our peers who may be overwhelmed with their work when we have some free time to assist them is another way to demonstrate justice in the marketplace (bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)). Not only does it lighten the load, it also expresses an interest and concern for the individual being helped. 

Doing Justice to Customers

There are many times in the selling process that we may be tempted to be “less than candid” or make promises that we may not be able to keep.  Our only standard: Tell the truth.  If we can reengineer our product to reduce costs without adversely affecting the quality, that is good stewardship.  However, reducing a product’s quality while maintaining the price is deceptive and does not provide justice to our customers.   

Doing Justice to our Vendors

Doing the right thing means sticking to the terms we agreed to when we placed the order with our vendor.  “Stretching” a vendor for cash flow purposes cannot be justified.  I remember on more than one occasion at Zion Industries that we would borrow money to make sure we were paying our vendors on time. 

We are only scratching the surface of this principle of justice in the marketplace.  What does this mean to you as you run your business?  Does justice only mean equitable pay for our employees, etc. or is there more to it?  For example, a recent article in Guideposts tells the story of Tom White a business owner who has given away nearly 75 million dollars through a nonprofit he founded, Partners in Health (after ensuring that his wife and children were provided for).  You and I may never have his same resources, but shouldn’t we share his generosity? 

May each of us “do justice” in the marketplace this week. 

Keith 

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