Faith-based values for startups
September 2, 2008
Evidently I have suggested that faith-based companies weren’t viable (I don’t recall saying it, but I will defer to my readers who say that I did). I would like to revise and extend my earlier thoughts on the subject of ‘faith-based values for startups’. Of course, this post is only my opinion and is not scripturally accurate or valid. Whenever I deal with someone in business context who:
- has a line drawing of a fish or bible verse on their card
- has an email tag line like “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- asks me to pray prior to sharing a meal
I am not surprised when they turn out to be a little ’shady’. It is as if they are somehow associating their business with God and as a result they hope I will trust them. Ironically, as a Christian, I am more likely to trust someone who’s ‘walk’ with Christ is obvious in their work and deeds and not in their words. We may be saved by grace, but the evidence is born out in our work and deeds. Much like the salesman who constantly reminds you that ‘you can trust me!’, my experience has taught me that many of the business people who tie themselves closely to God (in word) are often the ones who are earning the wages of sin. Of course not everyone who brings God into a work context is ’shady’.
This certainly does not mean that I think you shouldn’t bring faith-based values into your startup. Just the opposite. Your startup should reflect YOUR values whether they are based in Christianity, Judism, Islam or something else. Here in the U.S. our laws, business traditions and moral codes are almost all based in Judeo-Christian values. When I deal with someone in business I expect them to behave in a manner that reflects Judeo-Christian values - I suspect you do too. What turns me off completely is when I see people attempting to make money from their faith; attempting to leverage their relationship with God for financial benefit. If your faith dictates that you proselytize I suggest that you do so through example and not through words when you are in a business context. Again, just my opinion.
