What Does the Bible Say About Business Ethics?

The Center for Christian Business Ethics Today
June 11-12 Conference Focuses on Doing Business in Gods World

Philadelphia, Pa. Countless books and articles have been written about ethical business practiceswhos done it well and who has faltered. But what does the Bible say about business ethics?

Micah 6:8 tells us, He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

In 1932, Herbert J. Taylor was studying this verse along with Jesus Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5 through 7, which further delve into Micahs wise three-part summary of the law: justice, mercy and humility.

In that year of the Great Depression, Taylor was struggling with how to save a troubled manufacturing company in Chicago. Knowing he had desperate workers counting on him, Taylor came up with the Four Way Test for how to make good, biblically based business decisions: 1) Is it the truth?; 2) Is it fair for all concerned?; 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?; 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Despite the disaster that struck the national economy, Taylors company not only survived, but it thrived as management embraced these biblical standards and the precepts of their leaders Four Way Test.

According to Phil Clements, managing director of The Center for Christian Business Ethics Today, if more business leaders today asked themselves the four simple questions Taylor did nearly 80 years ago, there may not be so many negative headlines plaguing the business pages today.

Clements and other national business leaders will seek to return to the simple ideas of business ethics with the 2010 Business Ethics Today Conference, co-sponsored by The Center and Westminster Theological Seminary this weekend, June 11-12.

Set at the historic Union League in Philadelphia, the conference will bring together CEOs, theologians, professors and analysts to draw a correlation between doing business in the world and doing business in Gods world.

Led by Clements, a noted financial expert and former PricewaterhouseCoopers global board member, the conference seeks to encourage understanding of the importance of Christian ethics in commerce and enables a reflection on a persons core beliefs and how they translate to business leadership. Featured speakers include:

 Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship Ministries
 Ron Ferner, Retired Executive, Campbell Soup Company
 Fran McGowen, Founder and President, CarSense
 Jeff Conway, Former CFO, Ruths Chris Steak House
 Lou Giuliano, Former CEO, ITT, currently Senior Advisor to the Carlyle Group
 Barry Asmus, Ph.D., Senior Economist, National Center for Policy Analysis
 Peter Lillback, Ph.D., President, Westminster Theological Seminary
 Philip Ryken D. Phil., President-elect, Wheaton College

For registration information and details about the 2010 Business Ethics Conference and Livecast program, visit www.CFCBE.com or call 267-702-4026.