Ethics as Joy
In general, ethics in the marketplace (AKA business ethics) is viewed with a litigious slant. While most of us would say ethics is a good thing, few would consider it a joy.
In case your academic memory is failing, there are 5 core standards to Business Ethics:
Competence, Confidentiality, Integrity, Credibility, Resolution of Conflict.
according to: IMA - The Institute of Management Accountants
Why so serious?
On an honest assessment, no one achieves these five standards. Everyone falls ethically short in some form or fashion. Apparently, our desire for “things” often conflicts with the “right thing”. As a result, these standards feel more like "Thou Shalt Not" rather than an expression of "Thou Shall Get Too".
But there is another way to think about ethics. If we shift from perceiving them as "stop signs", to perceiving them as "pathways", then we can consider them in the context of their origin and destination. This paradigm shift makes a big difference.
Understanding Ethics as a pathway transforms our choices from a zero sum (of have or have not) to a formative process extending far beyond our own sense of right and wrong. Our choices emerge as essential components in an economy of goods and services. We discover how they form our character and serve as expressions of our hope. We realize our choices are as much about us as they are about who we serve and what we steward.
This is especially true when things seem beyond our understanding (an inevitable reality). Therefore, when challenged, we must learn to lean on external guides for decision making. As creatures of habit, we need to have clarity on our chosen external guides, so that when challenges occur, we have clarity on our responses.
We ask: “What is ethically right”?
Our intuition and decision-making processes are formative. They are shaped by our most regular source of consumption: movies, music, literature, etc... The quality of those external guides (mental diets) will shape us. Through these guides we gain either maturity, narcissism, wisdom, depravity, and a myriad of complex attributes.
It’s no surprise that humanity is drawn toward corruption. Modern (and ancient) entertainment thrives on conflict with the five standards (IMA) listed above. In fact, the primary theme of most story telling profits on the distortion of ethics rather than the promotion of them. Which, BTW, is why the study of ethics and the standards listed above even exist.
Imagine Ethics as a path to yes.
Behind this conflict is fear.
What will happen if I submit?
How can I trust this to be good for me?
Is there a story bigger than my choice?
To answer these questions ethics must be more than an organizational standard. It must harmonize with a transcendent good. Ethics must extend beyond our context.
What if your heart’s deep desire was in tandem with ethics?
What if ethics was a promise of provision rather than a rule of restriction?
IMA standards echo Jesus
The Christian bible claims that many truths about God are evident everywhere. His fingerprints can be found in all truth. Therefore, we should not be surprised that flourishing economies operate on principles that harmonize with Biblical truth. Ethics is no exception. If we cross examine these ethical standards against the life of Jesus we should be able to receive them as principles which flow from eternal good. This of course is based on the presupposition that Jesus is fully man and fully God (which suggest the true nature of humanity conforms to ethical standards). Consider each attribute in more detail below.
Competence
IMA standard - Maintain professional leadership and expertise.
Attribute of Jesus: Scripture makes this overwhelmingly clear. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father’s Glory. He has full authority and upholds all things by the word of his power. When he lays down his life, he does is volitionally. Colossians 1:15-16, Hebrews 1:3, John 10:17-18.
IMA standard - Perform duties in accordance with laws, and regulations.
Attribute of Jesus: While the moral law is a tutor unto righteousness, Jesus purchases righteousness for us. His life and the moral law are not in conflict. Rather, his life accomplishes the requirements of the law for those who trust in his once and for all sufficient sacrifice. Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 10:12-14
IMA standard - Provide support and information that is accurate, clear, concise, and timely.
Attribute of Jesus: Our greatest need and desire is intimacy with our creator. Following Jesus seems obscure when we place any created thing as preeminent over God. Jesus reveals to us the nature of this relationship and promises to teach us about himself. His promise is not contingent and is organically revealed to us at times chosen by him. John 14:26, John 15:7, Romans 5:6, 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, Psalm 119:105
Confidentiality
IMA standard - Keep information confidential except when disclosure is authorized or legally required.
Attribute of Jesus: This one is a little more obscure because the Godhead has no external authority. Since confidentiality is about trust, when we confide in someone, we expect the narrative to cease with that person. In other words, no one else is invited in. So when we confess our sins to Jesus we can trust the matter is finished. There is no such thing as gossip with Jesus, He advocates for us and assumes all our trespasses. 1 John 2:1-2, Acts 4:11-12,
IMA standard - Inform all relevant parties regarding appropriate use of confidential information.
Attribute of Jesus: Jesus informs the Trinity about us. But the scandal disclosed is not our offense, but his blood. His blood is a scandal and a hope. We are now to be accepted as he is accepted. Jesus does not lie about us. We were guilty. But instead of declaring our guilt he declares his righteousness now covering us. John 17, 1 John2:1-2, John 5:30, 1 Timothy 1:12-13.
IMA standard - Will not use information for unethical or illegal advantage.
Attribute of Jesus: At the heart of the incarnation is Love. This love is observed through Christ suffering. He was born, suffered the trials of life, submitted to the law (moral and civil), and endured the pains of torture and death. All of this while remaining innocent. He never slipped and said, “you know… I’m really a good guy, this whole mess is because of them”. He remained silent. Philippians 2:1-11, Isaiah 53:7.
Integrity
IMA standard - Mitigate conflicts of interest. Regularly communicate with business associates to avoid conflicts of interest.
Attribute of Jesus: Jesus suffered in various ways. This suffering included the submission of his real human desires. When he says in the garden “not my will but yours be done” it was an authentic surrender. Jesus lives an authentic human life. He was: born, endured the pangs of life and the judgement of the cross. No conflict of interest exist between Jesus’ and the Father and the Spirit. John 17:25-26, 1 John 4:8-10, Matthew 4:3-5, Luke 22:41-43
IMA standard - Abstain from any activity that might discredit him.
Attribute of Jesus: The nature of man is good. Which is why sin is problematic. It is a corruption of the good. Jesus was a true man and had no sin. His humanity was authentic and good. Both of these are true. He was not good with an insincere humanity. Nor was he some corrupted version of humanity. So when he encountered temptations they were as real as it gets. As one theologian put it “you never know the force of wind until you resist it. Those who cease resistance have only partial knowledge of the wind. Jesus fully resisted and therefore knew temptation fully. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 4:1-11
IMA standard - Create an ethical culture and place professional integrity above personal interests.
Attribute of Jesus: Jesus said “Behold, I am making all thins new”. This includes the here and now. The promise of the gospel is not restricted to an unknown future. It is applicable to all the places we live work and play. Additionally, the life of Jesus was a 24/7 life. He never retired to a cushy castle. For Jesus, comfort never came before calling. Revelation 21:5, Matthew 22:37, Philippians 2:1-11
Credibility
IMA standard - Communicates information fairly and objectively. Provides all information that could influence a user’s understanding of recommendations.
Attribute of Jesus: The scriptures describe Jesus as a fair and righteous judge. The glorification seat of his judgement is fully disclosed in the cross. While Jesus obviously did many other things (swimming, playing sports, buying groceries, etc.), the scriptures fully communicate to us what is needed for the obscene to be justified. John 20:30-31, Micah6:8, Hebrews 4:12.
IMA standard - Report deficiencies in information, timeliness, processing, or internal controls.
Attribute of Jesus: This one is really about transparency. While somethings are veiled from our view, Jesus reveals to us everything that is within our “paygrade” concerning the doctrines of justification, sanctification and adoption. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, Ephesians 3:2-5, Romans 16:25-27
IMA standard - Communicates professional limitations or other constraints that would preclude responsible judgment or successful performance of an activity.
Attribute of Jesus: Jesus volitionally surrendered himself to limitations. While these did not hinder his missional capacity, they demonstrate his humanity. John 19:28, Mark 15:36-37
Resolving Ethical Issues
IMA standard - When encountering unethical issues or behavior. individuals should actively seek resolution of the issue. Individuals should consider all risks involved and follow the established policies of his or her organization, including use of an anonymous reporting system if available.
Attribute of Jesus: Reconciliation is the heartbeat of the Gospel. The gospels refers to the cross as the quintessential act of reconciliation. glorification of Christ. Other areas of the bible refer to this as HESED love. A unique kind of love that incorporates time, affection, strength, purpose and sacrifice. Psalm 85:10, Hebrews 12:2, Colossians 1:17-20
Resolute to JOY!
As referenced above. It was the Joy of Christ to live in perfect submission that we might be made sons and daughters of God. The IMA ethical standards are a window to the character of Christ. They can serve as a pathway to joy. The governance or redirection of our choices is not a barrier, but an opportunity to flourishing. For if Christ is for us, who or what can be against us!
Consider Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.