Generosity in Business?

I read the following story in Our Daily Bread this week and would like to share it with you:

“At one end of the truck terminal where H.H. Lee worked years ago was a coal company.  Nearby was a railroad, and each day several freight trains passed by.  Lee often noticed that the owner of the company, who was a Christian, threw chunks of coal over the fence at various places along the track.  One day he asked the man why he did this.  The man replied, ‘An elderly woman lives across the street, and I know that her pension is inadequate to buy enough coal.  After the trains go by, she walks along and picks up the pieces she thinks have fallen from the coal car behind the engine.  She doesn’t realize that diesels have replaced steam locomotives.  I don’t want to disappoint her, so I just throw some pieces of coal over the fence.’”

I was also reminded of a book (The Generosity Factor by Ken Blanchard and S. Truett Cathy), a story that is quite entertaining to read and presents several principled lessons for us to consider.  In the story, “a Broker’s worldview continues to be shaken and turned upside down as he talks to The Executive and hears the principles that form his life. The Executive describes the plan he has developed that turns giving into a tremendous pleasure. He calls it The Generosity Factor--a way to give time, talent, treasure, and touch to those in need. The advice The Broker receives and the relationship he develops with The Executive provide a pleasant surprise and a unique twist on what it means to truly succeed--whether in business, at home, or in life.”

And so I ask myself (and you) this question, “Is there a place in Business for Generosity?”  I know.  I know.  The obvious answer is “yes.”  But how does “being generous” work itself out practically within your work context and mine?  How do you balance “hitting the numbers” (financially) and being generous?  Does our Heavenly Father expect us to be generous in areas beyond “treasure?” (for example, time, talent and touch)

Let’s face it.  This discussion is not one that you’ll hear bandied about in the normal business world.  This discussion only has an appeal to those who have submitted their lives to Christ and are truly seeking His Purpose for their role in the marketplace.

Thoughts from Scripture 

In Acts 20:35 the author challenges us to “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  What does that mean in a business context?  Don’t all for-profit businesses have but one single objective—to make a profit?  (to quote Milton Friedman) 

In 2 Corinthians chapter 8 Paul tells us of the generosity of the churches in Macedonia who “…gave according to their means…and beyond their means of their own free will.”  They set an example for us of being generous—sacrificially. 

Then I think of the time in Genesis chapter 13 where Abram demonstrated generosity.  He and his nephew, Lot, had become “very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.”  So much so, “…that the land could not support both of them dwelling together.”  At this point, Abram, being the elder, could have merely told Lot to “beat it.”  But he did not.  The Bible tells us how Abram demonstrated generosity.  He told his nephew to either move to the left or to the right.  “And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD…so Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley.”  In other words, Lot chose the prime real estate and left Abram to settle in the more sparse land of Canaan.  No secular businessperson in his/her right mind would have done this.  But Abram saw life from a different perspective.  He trusted God to work things out after Abram demonstrated generosity.

Where Wealth Comes From

It’s easy for you and me to get confused on this subject.  We gain an education, work hard, etc. and somehow believe that we created our own wealth.  It must come from the traditional American “pull yourself up by the bootstrap, independent” mentality.  The Scripture is very clear in contradicting this philosophy.  For example, we read in Deuteronomy 8:17-18, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’  You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth…” 

Or as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 4:7 “…What do you have that you did not receive?  If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 

It’s very easy for us to believe that our abilities, our opportunities, our successes, our wealth, our ___________ (fill in the blank)—come from our own doing.  Yet, God warns us again and again of this error.  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)  Think of it this way.  May each of us strive to be more of a “sieve” than a “bucket” with all that God gives to us.  Be generous. 

Keith 

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