...The book Business for the Glory of God is a great resource on business and each chapter starts with a phrase. The book has many opportunities for glorifying God but also many temptations to sin and what it can do to you and your business. The writer Grudem concisely lays out his reasons why business is good and very briefly raising some of the dangers of greed, envy and materialism. The weakest arguments by far are his argument that inequality of possessions is the way God intended things to be, that this is a good thing that gives glory to God. While extreme wealth and extreme poverty are both considered 'bad things' there's no way of drawing a line, no attempt at working out how some inequality is good but too much inequality is bad. Nor is there recognition that in the countries that have excelled in competition, profit making and generally getting rich is also the countries with the greatest inequality. So while it is good to be in business, and it is good to equip those who are called to business, this short book is unbalanced by taking complicated issues and making them black and white. For me is what the Bible is about taking a yes being a yes and a no meaning don’t do it, nor go there because he gives you all the reasons of what happens in evil deeds. Companies close, people go bankrupt and show on the news of people going to jail for fraud for being greedy. Hebrews 12:11 NIV No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces...
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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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...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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...Statement of Faith I believe that the structure of the church should not be determined by culture, business practices, or denominational traditions. The Bible is the only possible common denominator upon which most, if not all, of the God-fearing people of the land can unite. I believe that there is only one God and this God is manifested in three persons-Father, Son and Holy Spirit (trinity). He is the creator of the universe and of all life, the sustainer of all things, who is infinite in glory, wisdom, holiness, justice, power and love. God is love and thus is a personal God establishing a personal relationship with those who are called His people. I believe man was created in the image and likeness of God. However, through the sin of Adam, man fell into sin and is, therefore separated from Christ. As a sinner mankind was subject to both physical and spiritual death becoming eternally separated from God and incapable of providing redemption for himself. Only if a man be born again, will he see the kingdom of God. The bible and all of its 66 books are the plenary, verbally inspired Word of God. It is inerrant in its original manuscripts and infallible in its authority. The bible is the ultimate authority guidebook from God to Man in matters of faith and day to day life, interpreted by the Holy Spirit to each individual believer. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person of the trinity conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. ...
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...CHRYSLEY CORPORATION When someone mentions Chrysler, what comes to your mind: Dodge Ram Truck, Sam Elliott or the unstable financial investments made by management at Chrysler? Several eras at Chrysler have had ups and downs, mostly influenced by ownership and troublesome economic times. The company has experienced the most trying times in the ladder of its existence. Encountering financial turbulence in the late 1970’s prompted a Congressional bail . This was all accomplished under Lee Iacocca, President and CEO of Chrysler in 1978. Iacocca stabled the near bankrupt company, allowing paying back the loan seven years earlier than expected. In 1987, the No. 4 automaker, American Motors, was bought by Chrysler and the consolidation was yet another financial crisis that lead to restructuring of the company . Chryslers 1990’s were a comeback with its Jeep lineup and vehicles like the powerful Dodge Viper. The company was acquired by Damler Bentz of Germany in 1998, and with inconsistent financial results the shareholders prompted Damler to seek a buyer in 2007. The company was sold to Cerberus Capital Management, an investment fund, which instilled Robert L. Nardelli as chief executive, formally CEO of Home Depot. Nardelli vowed a comeback for Chrysler being yet again an American owned company but suffered a deep sales slump and the recession took hold. In September 2008 sales were down 32.8 percent and prompted Chrysler to search for a merger partner, potentially with...
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...Visions of Heaven and Hell CONTENTS 1. Planning Suicide 2. Beyond the Sun and Stars 3. Elijah Explains 4. The Happiness of Heaven 5. We Shall Know Each Other 6. Conducted to Hell 7. The Tortures of Hell 8. A Lost Soul Speaks 9. Further Conversations 10. An Atheist in Hell Chapter 1: Planning Suicide When evil persons have gone in a life of sin, and find that they have reason to fear the just judgment of God, they begin at first to wish there were no God to punish them. Then little by little they persuade themselves that there is no God, and look for arguments to back their opinion. I had the unhappiness to know someone like this, who would always be telling me there was neither God nor devil, and no heaven or hell. It was with fear and trembling that I first heard him speak about these topics, but he spoke of them so often that I felt I must consider what he said. From this time I found my mind so confused that I could not remember the truths about God which had appeared so clear to me before. I could not think there was no God but with the greatest horror, yet I questioned the truth of His being. I would not have parted with my hope of heaven for all the riches of the world, yet now I was not sure whether there was any such place. In my confusion I went to my false friend to see what comfort he could give me. He only laughed at my fears and pretended to pity my weakness. His talks only made me more confused, until life became a burden to me. It is impossible to tell you the...
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