The Bible is truly our manual for living. It has instructions to guide every aspect of our lives, including our businesses.
Consider the average American employee. They do their jobs, many working multiple jobs and hustles. Yet, many live paycheck to paycheck, feel undervalued and unappreciated by their bosses, and likely despise going in to work to deal with workplace dysfunction.
It's no wonder, therefore, so many were quiet quitting not so long ago. They feel dissatisfied and taken advantage of. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this approach is deceptive and thus ungodly. Employees - if they are Christians who live by the Lord's word - are to treat their job as if they are working for God. Bad employees who treat their employers wickedly can be let go to make room for others who will do a better job.
Similarly, employers are not to treat their staff wickedly. In fact, if they are a believer, then they should be guided by scripture in how they treat employees. If one merely relies upon the Royal Law for guidance, bosses must remember that God wants us to treat each other as we would want to be treated. How would that work in our current places of employment? Is such even possible?
And that's why as Christians with our own businesses, we must be careful to not replicate how so many modern corporations treat employees. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 5:18 that “[T]he worker deserves his wages.” Therefore, finding loopholes and excuses to not pay a fair wage or deprive employees of their benefits is unscriptural and should not be done.
Some employers or the staff they put in positions of authority allow power to get to their heads and treat others poorly. But, consider what God instructed in Deuteronomy 24:14 - “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates..." (NKJV). Taking advantage of staff and treating them in an unsavory manner is not tolerated by the word of God. This scripture also applies to establishments which hire 'illegal' immigrants or those desperate for work, only to threaten to get these individuals in trouble so as to have them work for less than is their due. To do such is wickedness in the sight of God.
An employer seeking to run their business in a manner pleasing to God cannot even afford to pay employees late. Not according to Deuteronomy 24:15 which states, "Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin." Certainly, mistakes can happen, but this verse makes it clear that such mistakes cannot become the standard.
Of course, every business needs to make profits, but doing so at the sheer expense of employees is wrong. This year, there have been multiple reports of the callous way that large organizations fired staff in order to make their operations leaner, meet stock market expectations, and pay out sizable dividends. This cannot be the approach for a business owned by someone who claims to believe in God and obey Him.
Businesses that treat their staff well will likely earn their loyalty and trust more readily than a corporation that treats their employees as mere numbers on a spreadsheet. God doesn't treat us that way, who are we to do that to His children?
You may wonder what happens to those businesses who seem to be succeeding without the restraints of God's directions. Yes, it will appear that way but never forget, God has promised to deal with the wicked and will mete out His cup of wrath upon them. Ask yourself, do you want what's coming for them? Or would you rather have the Lord bless you, your business, and those who your business will impact?
As we navigate the world of entrepreneurship and grow into companies with staff, let us never forget that God is our CEO and we must apply His word in our businesses. As long as we honor His instructions, He will not allow us to fail but will instead guide us to real success. A success we can only obtain through Him.