Nonconformity in Business

(Rom. 12:2 Be not conformed to this world...) In regard to business: The first reason why we are not to be conformed to this world in business is that the principle of the world is that of supreme selfishness. This is true universally in the pursuit of business. The whole course of business in the world is governed and regulated by the maxims of supreme and unmixed selfishness. It is regulated without the least regard to the commands of God or the glory of God or the welfare of their fellow men. The maxims of business generally current among businessmen and the habits and usages of businessmen are all based upon supreme selfishness. Who does not know that in making bargains, the businessmen of the world consult their own interest and seek their own benefit and not the benefit of those they deal with? Who has ever heard of a worldly man of business making bargains and doing business for the benefit of those he dealt with? No, it is always for their own benefit. And are Christians to do so? They are required to act on the very opposite principle to this: “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” They are required to copy the example of Jesus Christ. Did he ever make bargains for his own advantage? And may his followers adopt the principle of the world—a principle that contains in it the seeds of hell! If Christians are to do this, is it not the most visionary thing on earth to suppose the world is ever going to be converted to the gospel? ...Author - Charles Finney 1792-1827

Excerpt from The Heritage of Great Evangelical Teaching : Featuring the best of Martin Luther, John Wesley, Dwight L. Moody, C.H. Spurgeon and others. 1997, c1996. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.