The Bible and Business - Message to St Francis
1. Introduction For the purpose of this message I define business as a commercial activity engaged in as a means of livelihood or profit, or an entity which engages in such activities. Our reference to business includes both self employment as well as owning an enterprise which employees other people to work on behalf of the business owner(s). We could also stretch business to include employment. The bible is not a business book just as it is not a health or family book. However there are principles in the bible that apply to business just as there are principles that apply to health or family or other aspect of life. Business is the most common means of livelihood in the bible. Biblical time vocations comprised: Priests; Levites; Self employed & Owning an enterprise employing others; Servants and slaves – equivalent to today’s salary earner Church emphasis on employment at expense of business. Over the years and centuries the church has (perhaps unintentionally put a l...