“A house divided cannot stand.”
Jesus said this. I’m going take this Wisdom saying of Jesus into a different context than he used, but then, he used it in a different context than the original.
I get involved in discussions on Web forums about the loss of jobs in manufacturing and IT from time to time. So I often think about the ethics of business. I’m now reading a book (only about half-way through it now) that is essentially an indictment of what is called “neoclassical” economics. I think it’s “neo” because it used to be “liberal” but now it’s conservative. Or maybe not.
That’s why thinking about economics and politics give me a headache!
But I’m not here today to talk about economics. I’m here to meditate on a person who may be caught up in two worlds–a self divided.
Part of the philosophy when applied to organizations–usually business, but could be church–proclaims that it’s all about maximizing gain–or as the philosopher of happiness John Stuart Mill might have put it–all maximizing our happiness.
My point about mixing this meditation with jobs is that business is seen as an organization that only cares about profits–not people, not products, not service. It’s also (and this is where, unfortunately, church organizations often come in) about individuals seeking power and status within the organization.
Now, if I live in such an environment not realizing that behavior determines personality and beliefs in most cases, then what happens to me when I leave that sort of environment and come to church?
Am I only there because of some comfort factor and therefore only feeding that JS Mill theory of maximizing my happiness? And the teachings have no effect on the way I live when I go back to the office?
The authors of the book (which I’ll review later and give links) actually talk about two kinds of religion–those that focus on right doctrine and those that focus on right behavior.
James (brother of Jesus, writer, leader) saw this sort of thing 2100 years ago. He taught that when we gather together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, that we should be careful not to have distinctions as to class. He further taught, that our behavior should fit our message. In other words, we should not be internally divided. For then, we as individuals cannot stand.
James would say that when we return to the office, we should remember our teachings (Good Samaritan, rich young man, and so forth) and act according to our teachings.
I think many of our economic problems are a result of pushing ethics off into the back closet. Saying to myself, if indeed I even still attend a church, that I agree (believe in) the right doctrine, so, I’m OK.
Except, I’m not.
Faith Venture 
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