By Manas Sharma |
The holy Bible as a religious text has been one of the most influential and philosophical pieces. Its philosophy tends to include a larger chunk of European history through the ages of the Industrial Revolution, the period where the first sparks of the larger burning flames i.e. the corporate culture first emerged. The church didn’t only govern the process but continued to dominate the first capitalists as the ultimate agency of authority. The values of bible undoubtedly are numerous and also they do encompass a number of traits and spheres, but what is worth mentioning here is its teachings and interpretations that continue to make its presence felt in the larger Corporate World today.
The study of the Bible allows us to interpret it in ways that makes sense to us, it has its own flaws in the form of lessons that must be learnt and mistakes that must not be repeated. Also, it contains values which dominate to shape any and every corporate house.
A thorough study of the extravagant scripture makes one realize that forms of Authoritarianism and Barbarism were predominant in the early Christian history, whereas in contrast to a present day corporate house, a boss (the authority) may not be barbaric or authoritarian in the sense that s/he may not dictate the company as per her/his will, instead investments made into employee health and welfare through motivational sessions and seasonal holidays may result into a better and efficient functioning of the house.
A corporate house must always work following the principles of Gender Equality, a value that the big book fails to discuss. Equal pays for equal work, equal opportunities for promotion, equal work load etc. must be basic issues addressed in any corporate house.
In the light of shortcomings of the bible being discussed, one must never forget the fact that the text has equally relevant principles that guide the corporate minds. The principles of trusteeship, co-operation discussed eminently in the Old Testament are of extreme importance to culminate the spirit of teamwork and belongingness among corporate employees.
I Corinthians 9:24 NIV Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Verses like the one mentioned above continue to glorify the concept of competition; that the world today we live in is a world of competition where all are battling it out for the jackpot but only few crack the same. Very much a corporate concept!
Proverbs 11:14 NIRV Without the guidance of good leaders a nation falls. But many good advisers can save it.
Again, the verse mentioned here is one that talks of the need to listen to others and accept constructive criticism and feedback. A very popular story of Mr. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Inc. revolves around the same concept. He was thrown out of his own company for not being open to views from others, especially his sub ordinates to the day when he joined Apple back with a broader outlook to accept ideas and feedback thrown on to him. This, certainly highlights the fact that a CEO alone can be of no help to a company, unless he has creative minds to assist him shape his ideas and dreams into reality, this is where the biblical values continue to dominate corporate thinking.
If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female,when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? – Job 31:13-14 NIV
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. – Ephesians 6:9 NIV
The verses discussed above reflects the idea of worker’s right of the contemporary system, where being generous towards employees is extremely important in any corporate house. A corporate head should always be kind and approachable for employees, ultimately it is the values of partnership and co-operation that brings about success for any organization.
Dishonest money dwindles away,but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. – Proverbs 13:11 NIV
This verse again highlights that one must never be afraid of starting small, every big journey starts with a small step. However, the basic values of honesty must accompany any person on all parts of his journey. As we all know, small makes big.
This final verse is left upon for the readers to interpret through their own understanding!
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
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