Does a good “Christian Boss” exist? Or is he an oxymoron? Can one be a Christian and a productive employer at the same time? Many businessmen are saying that if they provide fair wages to their employees, treat them nicely, the employees are likely to abuse the kindness, productivity will slow down and the business will no longer be viable. On the other hand, what kind of Christians are we if we do not exemplify a Biblical standard in our business lifestyle? How are we to witness and share the gospel of Christ if our work habits and business ethics are not exemplary?
Through Moses, God revealed His will for Israel as a theocratic nation. Israel's civil laws regulated how masters should treat their slaves. Although these laws were written at a time when people mainly lived in an agricultural society, they expressed many principles that can be easily applied to a modern industrial workplace. Here are some examples:
The Law requires that employers treat slaves humanely. Leviticus 25:43 states regarding a freeman sold into slavery: "You shall not rule over him through rigorous labor." Furthermore, his family has to be provided for (Leviticus 25:41) and his master is not permitted to make him perform degrading tasks (Leviticus 25:39). Similarly, righteous employers make sure that their employees are not overworked or asked to perform dishonorable tasks.
Leviticus 19:13 further states: "You shall not oppress your fellow and you shall not rob; the wages of a worker shall not remain with you overnight until morning." This means that an employer must pay employees on time. Withholding payment due workers is a violation of Bible law.
The Bible requires the master to give his or her slave a severance gift known as hanakah. The Bible states (Deuteronomy 15:13-14): "Do not send him away empty-handed. You shall give him a severance gift from your flocks, from your threshing floor, and from your wine cellar ..." An ethical employer should realize that it is certainly appropriate for employers to reward loyal workers who have been with a firm for numerous years.
Christian employers should demonstrate good work ethics in the marketplace. It is sad that many Christians fail to do this. Our witness in the world is severely weakened as we act like the rest of the world. Read the Bible, and by its standard, evaluate yourself, have you been a good employer? What changes are you going to implement in your business so that you will be a better employer? Sir… Ma’am…??
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