day 150: Corporate Responsibility

We have been reading and hearing lots about "Corporate Responsibility" and what that means today. At one time, "Corporate Responsibility" was about financial integrity and philanthropy back to the community. Many companies felt good about what they did and how they operated if they were running the business in the right way for their employees and partners/customers, making money for their shareholders and giving back in some way to the community. All that made sense to me too. These were fundamental principles that got lost somewhere along the way. Shortcuts were taken and corners were cut and before we long we had financial integrity issues everywhere, abuse of employees (domestically and globally), disregard for customers and irreparable damage being done to the environment. Today, through both external and internal pressures from shareholders, advocacy groups, government and employees, companies are having to rethink their positions of the past. Senior positions are being created to lead "Corporate Responsibility" and prestigious universities like Stanford are partnering with other universities around the world to teach corporate executives how to be responsible. This is all good and we can see it trickling down in the workplace on how we think about recycling, waste, product sourcing, employee treatment and other activities. While it seems a little outlandish on the surface, I think it is kind of cool that Google has now contracted with a farmer to bring in hundreds of goats once a year to clear the grass on their properties here in California. No more power lawn cutting the grass at Google. Even with all of this "good" going on though we still seem to miss the " bigger good" that God is asking each of us to have in our jobs. We as believers also have our own "corporate responsibility" to uphold. We are examples, role models, beacons to the purpose that we live and work. And, as such we must do our own "good" and make our own sacrifices. We see this clearly set ourt for us in the book of Hebrews, Chapter 13:15-16: "Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." While we do the good that we are to do in the world that comes from the efforts of man, we are also to be sure that we are striving for that higher purpose to bring praise and glory to God in our work and lives and when we do good we are to do so in His spirit and name, sharing and serving those are in need. I am encouraged and lifted up with all the "good" that our society wants to do right now. Let us each be additive in the good and corporate responsibility that we have by elevating our own game to be sure that we are also doing the best of all goods.

Reference: Hebrews 13:15-16 (New Living Testament)