BookAX: The Christians Pursuit Accumulation And Use Of Wealth

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The Christian's Pursuit, Accumulation, and Use of Wealth

Seventh-Day Adventist From http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_31/31cc_001-020.htm

Institute for Christian Teaching Education Department of Seventh-day Adventists

THE CHRISTIAN’S PURSUIT, ACCUMULATION, AND USE OF WEALTH

Clarence Anderson
Walla Walla College
College Place, Washington, USA

529-03 Institute for Christian Teaching * 12501 Old Columbia Pike * Silver Spring, MD 20904 USA

Prepared for the

31th Internationl Seminar on the Integration of Faith and Learning
Friedensau Adventist University
July 2003

Page 2

I. Introduction

A tension exists between Biblical values and business values in a capitalistic economy. People commonly view greed as ubiquitous and the driver of business. Competitiveness is often associated with backstabbing, selfishness, materialism, etc. This is contrasted with Biblical values like generosity, altruism, selflessness, and love. In Seventh-day Adventist business education and in the church this tension is largely ignored. Business educators and church leaders do this to the peril of both church and university.

Currently SDA business educators teach their students sound principles for the pursuit of wealth without sufficient connection to Christian belief. Those who pursue business seriously and succcessfully are left with three alternatives: establish their own belief system connecting faith and business, feel guilty, or demarcate their business world from their spiritual world. The last position, a dualism, means they will live in a state of perpetual cognitive dissonance while they go about their business.

Because participating in business is essential for humans to function in this world, it is not reasonable to argue that Christians should not enter the business world, as the medieval church taught. Indeed, E.G. White agreed, “Christians must work, they must engage in business, and they can do this without committing sin.”[1] Christian business people need to confront the tension. This should take a much higher priority in tertiary business education.

Doing business in today’s world means working in a capitalistic system. In this paper I will explore the prominent features of a capitalistic economic system and compare these to Biblical values relating to business. I will discuss the fit between the capitalistic features and Biblical values. Based on this analysis I will outline an approach for the Christian´s pursuit, accumulation, and use of wealth, including challenges and difficulties that those who choose the Christian path will likely face if successful in business. I will conclude with suggestions for incorporating these ideas into a Christian business education.