Is the Christian Faith compatible with a Free Market economy? Many lay people and most clergy would probably answer that question negatively, especially during these times. But is this really the case?
Kevin Allen, at Ancient Faith Radio, discussed these topics and much more with Chris Banescu. The answers Mr. Allen received are very enlightening. This is a must listen to anyone, not just Christians, who work for a living, which means it is a must listen for everyone.
Do you treat your employees the way you treat your best customers? Do you work everyday to build long term profitability and increase long term value? Do you, each and everyday, work to meet and exceed your customer’s expectations?
An aside, I do not like the term capitalism. It is a disparaging term coined by socialists in the mid-nineteenth century. It has become an easy shorthand but that does not mean that I have to accept it. After listening to Chris Banescu’s interview I much prefer the phrase, an ethical and free market. A big reason the world, economically speaking, is in its current condition is because we have neither a free nor an ethical marketplace. Government picks winners and losers. Corporations treat their lowest employees worse than they treat their corporate jets and fleet of limousines. Consumers, just to save a buck, buy products made with slave labor.
No one, including myself, is pure. I’ve purchased Chinese produced products that were probably made by prisoners of conscience. I took advantage of past employers, thinking that they owed me rather than asking how can I increase the company’s long term value. There have been more days than I care to remember where I did the minimal work to meet others’ expectations rather than diligently working to exceed those expectations.
When it comes to being an echo of the Creator and building an ethical and free market we all fall short. No one is without sin. The question becomes will we now go forth and sin no more?
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness 