A few years ago, I had an interesting conversation with one of our country’s most well-known and respected business leaders. It started as I was chatting with the man’s wife, and she asked me what I did for fun. I could have told her I enjoyed golf, or gardening, or skiing, or any number of acceptable hobbies of a businessperson. Instead, I answered truthfully that I have a passion for learning what our faith has to teach us about business and our work in the world.
Surprised, the wife called over her husband — and with him came the crowd. He was intrigued and wanted the “elevator pitch” of what faith could do to inform business, beyond its admonishment about the rich man’s difficulties getting into heaven. Here’s what I told him: the five things that every Catholic businessperson must know.
1. Man is called to work, and money is spiritual
Man is wired for work, to be productive. It is part of our mission and who we are as human beings.
We find this laid out in the opening verses of Genesis. God is introduced to us as the omnipotent Creator who makes man in His own image, inviting man to work the soil and cultivate and care for the Earth. Man is given dominion over all living creatures — not as a tyrant, but as a caretaker and protector. The man did not create the goods of the Earth; they are God’s creation, and man’s role is to respect and fulfill the responsibility of the stewardship of God’s material world. God is the owner, and man is His manager.
It is important to remember that work is part of the original state of man and precedes his fall. It is not therefore a punishment or curse, but something that should be enthusiastically embraced. We know that work is honorable, because it provides the resources necessary to live a decent life and to have the means of combating poverty. In its most elemental sense, work is the fulfillment of our duty pursuant to our state in life.
Of course, we’ve come a long way since the days in the Garden. Today, work is often associated strictly with the production and accumulation of wealth — and there is some truth in that. But with eyes of faith, we see there is more to it: work is service to mankind, and money is simply a medium of exchange.
Real value is not measured by money. Money itself is a spiritual thing, in the sense that its true essence isn’t material: it can be created and destroyed without ever touching it. If the world were ending tomorrow, what would be the value of your assets tonight? Immediately, wealth would be destroyed. Conversely, markets can be driven up simply based on news reports or advertising — and suddenly, wealth is created.
Why are these notions of work and money valuable? They are the basis of understanding our vocation to business as spiritual, and thus within the realm faith.
2. The Catholic Church is the repository of some of the richest and most relevant economic philosophy available to man
Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers contain great wisdom in the areas of work and wealth: Exodus and the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Clement of Alexandria’s Who is the Rich Man Who Shall Be Saved, Pope Leo the Great’s Homily on the Beatitudes, St. Gregory of Nyssa’s The Love of the Poor, and many others. All of these share a remarkable consensus that wealth is morally neutral and can serve as a valuable instrument in the spiritual transformation of individuals and societies.
From these early writers, the Church draws her context, framework, and inspiration for her teachings on economic issues. Men and women in business would be well-served to read Rerum Novarum (1891),Quadragesimo Anno (1931), Mater et Magistra (1961), Populorum Progressio (1967), Laborem Exercens(1981), Solicitudo Rei Socialis (1987), Centesimus Annus (1991), Caritas in Veritate (2009) and Laudato Si (2015).
What we find in these documents is that the Church has much to say about our interaction with the material world, synthesizing a beautiful three-fold formula to guide man in his economic affairs:
- respect for human life and the dignity of the human person,
- emphasis on solidarity among men, and
- respect for the notion of subsidiarity — the delegation of responsibility to the smallest, lowest, or least centralized authority.
These are perennial truths, not subject to political whim or market sentiment.
3. Although imperfect, capitalism is the best model we have for organizing economic activity and ensuring the true development of the human person
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “everyone has the right to economic initiative; everyone should make legitimate use of his talent to contribute to the abundance that will benefit all, and to harvest the just fruits of his labor” (2429). We understand this because we understand the nature of man and his relationship to his Creator.
Both the Catechism and Pope Saint John Paul II, in Solicitudo Rei Socialis, explain that “experience shows us that the denial of this right [economic initiative], or its limitation in the name of an alleged ‘equality’ of everyone in society, diminishes, or in practice absolutely destroys the spirit of initiative.” From a spiritual perspective, human initiative in the economic sphere can be understood to reveal man’s humanity as creative and relational.
Capitalism has proven to be the most successful economic system to recognize and support free human creativity in the economic sector and to recognize and protect its elemental ingredients: the fundamental role of private property, commerce, and the capital markets. Problems arise when capitalism becomes a system with a purely economic conception of man, where the sole considerations are profit and the law of the market.
As Catholic businesspeople, we understand capitalism to mean an economic system that is placed at the service of human freedom, within the context of a strong juridical framework that emphasizes the ethical and religious aspects of human freedom.
4. “For-profit” is not necessarily bad, just as “non-profit” is not necessarily good
Pope Saint John Paul II in Centesimus Annus reminds us that “when a firm makes a profit, this means that productive factors have been properly employed.” Similarly, Clement of Alexandria was the first to argue that if no one possessed anything, it would be impossible to obey Jesus’ commandment to give to the poor. Of course, the legitimate pursuit of profit must be balanced with the absolute protection of the dignity of workers at all levels.
“For-profit” and “non-profit” are, in the end, tax statuses. Both entities must sustain themselves, even if their sources of revenue are different. Certainly many good and honorable people work for for-profit companies, just as arguably some of the most morally questionable business initiatives have come from non-profit ones. Making a profit is not an inherently bad thing.
5. There is no such thing as “business ethics” — focus on the businessperson
It is imperative to be ethical in business, but “business ethics” is an entirely different concept. In many businesses today, ethics is discussed on a situational basis: What is the right or wrong thing to do in a given situation? This is a worthy starting point — but as Catholic business professionals, our bar is set higher.
Aristotle reminds us, “Virtue makes its subject good, and makes the subject’s work good” (Nicomachean Ethics, Book II). Virtues belong to the soul, according to St. Thomas Aquinas — but companies do not have souls; man does. And when man has perfected the virtues — prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance — he is as God intended him: a sound manager.
(First published on May 12, 2011 in Crisis Magazine.)
Thanks a lot. I enjoy it!
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canadian pharmacy meds
canada online pharmacies
get prescription online
canadian online pharmacies
Seriously all kinds of great advice.
https://nicktambone.com/
prescription cost canadian pharmacies without an rx canadian drugs without prescription london drugs canada
get prescription online
compare prescription prices
canadian pharmacy no prescription needed
prescription drugs without doctor approval
canadian pharmacy uk delivery
canada pharmacies
You said it very well.!
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canadian rx pharmacy online canadianpharmacy online pharmacy reviews london drugs canada
canadian prescriptions
pharmacy prices compare
northwestpharmacy
mexican pharmacies online
canadian drugs without prescription
pharmacies near me
Regards, Numerous tips.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canadian online pharmacy reviews top rated canadian pharmacies online canadian drugstore online mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canadian prescription drugstore
cheap drugs online
canadian prescription drugs
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
drug price
mexican pharmacy online
Thanks a lot! A lot of tips!
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
online canadian discount pharmacy canadian pharmacies online drug costs canada pharmaceutical online ordering
canadian pharmacy reviews
pharmacy prescription
ed meds online
walmart pharmacy price check
online pharmacy without a prescription
online prescription drugs
Wow loads of fantastic tips!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
prescription drugs without doctor approval canada pharmaceutical online ordering mexican online pharmacies online pharmacies of canada
canadapharmacyonline.com
discount pharmaceuticals
us pharmacy no prior prescription
canada pharmacy
<a href="http://inv4zi0n.blogspot.com/mailto:viiih.dellicious@gmail.com?subject=pharmacy+cost+comparison+tofs&body=+Awesome+material.+Appreciate+it%21+http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianpharmacymim.com%2F+prescription+without+a+doctor%27s+prescription+trust+pharmacy+canada+pharmacy+online+mexico+%5Burl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnicktambone.com%2F%5Dcanada+pharmaceutical+online+ordering%5B%2Furl%5D+%0D%0Acanadian+pharma+companies+%0D%0Aprescription+drugs+canada+%0D%0Aoverseas+pharmacy+forum+%0D%0Awalmart+pharmacy+price+check+%0D%0Anorthwestpharmacy+%0D%0Adrugs+without+prescription&submit=Enviar”>best price prescription drugs
canadian discount pharmacy
Nicely put. Thank you!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
compare rx prices canadian pharmacies without an rx canadian cialis canadian cialis
buy drugs online
canadian pharmacy viagra
pharmacy price compare
best online pharmacy
canadianpharmacy
mexican pharmacy online
You actually explained this adequately!
https://nicktambone.com/
mexican pharmacies north west pharmacy canada canadian drugs without prescription top rated canadian pharmacies online
canada pharmacies online
prescription drug
best online international pharmacies
top rated online canadian pharmacies
canadian pharmacies without prescriptions
buy drugs online
You actually expressed this fantastically.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
best non prescription online pharmacies canada drugs northwest pharmacy canada drug
prescription drugs canada
pharmacies near me
onlinecanadianpharmacy.com
costco pharmacy pricing
visit poster’s website
online prescription drugs
You suggested it well!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canadian pharmacy no prescription canada pharmacy online my canadian pharmacy canadian drugs
canada pharmacy online reviews
overseas pharmacy forum
online pharmacy without prescription
rx pharmacy
board of pharmacy
canada pharmacy online no script
Thanks a lot, Quite a lot of advice.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
canadianpharmacy canadian viagra drugstore online trust pharmacy canada
trust pharmacy canada
canada pharmacies without script
best canadian prescription prices
my canadian pharmacy
canada drug
canadian online pharmacies
Well expressed indeed! .
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
mail order pharmacies canada pharmaceuticals online mexican pharmacy online canada pharmaceuticals online
canadian pharcharmy online
online pharmacy no prescription needed
pharmacy near me
pharmacy prescription
canadian prescription drugs
walmart pharmacy price check
You explained that terrifically.
http://talahicc.com/
canada drugs online canadian pharmacies online overseas pharmacy forum canadian online pharmacy
best non prescription online pharmacies
canada pharmacies online prescriptions
canadian pharmacy uk delivery
canadian online pharmacy reviews
ed meds online
canadian pharmacy online canada
With thanks! I enjoy this.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
canadian prescriptions canadian pharmacy canadian prescription drugstore canada drug
drug costs
canada pharmacy online no script
online canadian discount pharmacy
canadian online pharmacies
buying drugs canada
cheap drugs online
Great stuff. Thank you.
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
compare rx prices canadian online pharmacies buy prescription drugs online canadian pharcharmy
pain meds online without doctor prescription
best online pharmacy stores
discount pharmacy online
most reliable canadian pharmacies
canadianpharmacy
canadian drug
Many thanks, I enjoy this.
http://talahicc.com/
best online pharmacies no prescription canadian pharmacy canadian prescriptions canadian pharmacies that ship to us
canadian pharmacy uk delivery
prescription drugs prices
online canadian pharmacy
canadian drugs without prescription
drug stores near me
discount pharmacy
Wow many of valuable data!
http://talahicc.com/
approved canadian pharmacies online canada pharmaceutical online ordering canada drugs pharmacy canadian pharmacies that ship to us
mail order pharmacy
pharmacies near me
no prescription online pharmacy
prescription prices comparison
drugs for sale
canada drugs online pharmacy
Well spoken of course. .
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
medication costs canadian cialis medication costs online pharmacies of canada
canadian cialis
mail order pharmacies
buy online prescription drugs
canadian pharmacy meds
pharmacy cost comparison
online drugstore
Nicely put. Regards!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
medication costs canadian online pharmacies mexican online pharmacies canada drugs online
prescription price comparison
buying prescription drugs canada
canada pharmacies
canadian meds
legitimate canadian mail order pharmacies
canada pharmacies online
This is nicely said. .
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canadian online pharmacies canada drugs online most reliable canadian pharmacies online pharmacies of canada
approved canadian pharmacies online
candrugstore com
drug stores near me
canada pharmacy online
cheap prescription drugs
top rated online canadian pharmacies
Amazing a lot of amazing material!
https://nicktambone.com/
canadian drugs without prescription mexican pharmacies shipping to usa king pharmacy canada drug
canadian family pharmacy
web medical information
cialis canadian pharmacy
canadian cialis
buy online prescription drugs
pain meds online without doctor prescription
Truly lots of fantastic information!
http://talahicc.com/
pharmacy price comparison canadian cialis canada pharmacy online orders canadian pharmacies online
canada pharmacies online
cialis canadian pharmacy
best online pharmacies no prescription
canadian pharmacy
canadian online pharmacy
mexican pharmacy online
Tips certainly taken..
http://talahicc.com/
prescription drugs canada canada pharmacy drugs for sale canadian pharmacy
canadian rx pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy king
northwestpharmacy
best online pharmacies canada
canadian pharmacies
reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
Many thanks! Plenty of data!
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
canada pharmacy online reviews northwest pharmacy cheap drugs online canada drug
canada drug prices
online canadian pharmacies
canadapharmacy com
medical information online
canada drugs online
drugs online
You explained this well.
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
global pharmacy canada canadian pharmaceuticals online canada drug prices canada drugs online
online drugstore
canadian pharmacy reviews
pharmacy price comparison
canadian pharmacies
the canadian pharmacy
online pharmacy usa
Nicely put, Many thanks.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
onlinecanadianpharmacy.com london drugs canada mexican pharmacy online canadian online pharmacies
buy cialis
buy prescription drugs canada
global pharmacy canada
no prescription online pharmacy
online canadian pharmacies
canadian drug
You made your stand pretty effectively!!
http://talahicc.com/
internet pharmacy mexican pharmacies shipping to usa buying prescription drugs canada canada online pharmacies
online pharmacy
canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy no prescription needed
canadian rx
overseas pharmacy forum
prescription drugs online without doctor
Factor nicely used..
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
canadapharmacy com canadian drugs canadian prescriptions north west pharmacy canada
walmart pharmacy price check
highest rated canadian pharmacies
compare prescription prices
buy online prescription drugs
canadian pharmacies that are legit
prescription online
Nicely put, Cheers.
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canadian pharmacies shipping to usa online pharmacies canada canada pharmacy no prescription london drugs canada
canada drugs pharmacy
drugstore online
rx price comparison
buying drugs canada
canadian drugstore
canadian pharcharmy online
You definitely made your point.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa global pharmacy canada prescription drug cost mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
mexican online pharmacies
buy cialis
canadian pharmacies that are legit
canada pharmacy
mexican pharmacy online
prescription without a doctor’s prescription
You said it very well.!
https://nicktambone.com/
canadian prescription drugs aarp approved canadian online pharmacies drugs online trust pharmacy canada
prescription cost
no prescription pharmacies
my canadian pharmacy
visit poster’s website
pharmacy prescription
canadian pharmacy viagra brand
Good advice. Many thanks.
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
canadian pharmacy uk delivery canadian pharmacies online best online pharmacies no prescription canadian cialis
buying drugs canada
canadian drug store
canadian pharmacy no prescription
canadian rx
candrugstore com
web medical information
Excellent tips. Thanks a lot!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
canada pharmacies online prescriptions aarp approved canadian online pharmacies online drugs canada drugs online
online prescription drugs
canada drug prices
canadadrugs.com pharmacy
buying prescription drugs canada
canada pharmacy online reviews
prescription drugs canada
Great facts. Kudos!
http://talahicc.com/
canadian pharcharmy online mexican pharmacies shipping to usa canadian drugstore canada pharmacy online
us pharmacy no prior prescription
online discount pharmacy
canadian drug store
medication costs
canadian drugstore online
canadian pharmacy no prescription needed
Kudos! A good amount of data.
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
canadian family pharmacy canadian pharmacies online discount pharmacy canadian pharmacies online
canadian viagra
prescription cost comparison
prescription drug price comparison
pharmacy cost comparison
canadian meds
pharmacy online store
You stated this fantastically!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
canadianpharmacy canadian pharcharmy canada pharmacy online canada drug
online drugs
best online international pharmacies
discount drugs online pharmacy
best canadian pharmacies
compare rx prices
northwestpharmacy
Amazing data, Thanks.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
canadian drug stores online canadian pharmacy online canadian family pharmacy canada pharmaceuticals online
24 hour pharmacy
pharmacy online
prescription drugs prices
best non prescription online pharmacies
canadian pharmacy 365
online pharmacies no prescription
Thanks. I like it.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
pharmacy price compare northwestpharmacy canadian drugstore canadian pharmacies
canada pharmacies online prescriptions
online pharmacy usa
get prescription online
mexican online pharmacies
drugstore online
pharmacy prices
You revealed this fantastically.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
canadian rx pharmacy online online pharmacies canada canadapharmacy com mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
online discount pharmacy
pharmacy online store
mail order pharmacies
northwest pharmacy canada
canadian meds
pharmacy prices compare
You actually mentioned that effectively!
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
drugstore online canada online pharmacies canada pharmacies prescription drugs canada pharmaceutical online ordering
prescription price comparison
global pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacies top best
pharmacy without dr prescriptions
canadian discount pharmacy
buy cialis
Thank you, Ample stuff!
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
buy prescription drugs from canada canadian pharmaceuticals online cheap prescription drugs online global pharmacy canada
rx pharmacy
compare prescription prices
pharmacy online
canadian pharmacies that are legit
best online pharmacies no prescription
buy prescription drugs online
You actually explained that exceptionally well!
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
cialis online canadian pharmacy online online pharmacy no prescription needed canada drugs online
canadian online pharmacy reviews
prescription drugs online without doctor
drug costs
legitimate canadian mail order pharmacies
canadian mail order pharmacies
online pharmacy reviews
Factor well taken!.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canada pharmacies online pharmacy canadian online pharmacies canadian family pharmacy canada pharmacy online
canadian prescriptions
safe canadian online pharmacies
safeway pharmacy
canada pharmacies without script
pharmacy prescription
canadian drug stores online
Thank you. Helpful stuff!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
pain meds online without doctor prescription canadian pharmacy online pharmacy canada canada pharmacy
buy prescription drugs online
drugs without prescription
pharmacy tech
online canadian pharmacy
canadian prescriptions
canadian pharmacies
Really many of good info.
https://nicktambone.com/
pharmacy prices northwestpharmacy cheap canadian drugs canadian cialis
online discount pharmacy
<a href="http://shket.ua/product/velyur-matras-bestway-67224/?DIGNITY=+Terrific+info.+Many+thanks.+http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianpharmacysilo.com%2F+northwestpharmacy+canada+pharmacy+online+%0D%0Acanadian+pharmacy+no+prescription+%0D%0Acanada+drug&SHORTCOMINGS=+%0D%0ATerrific+info.+Many+thanks.+%0D%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fcanadianpharmacysilo.com%2F+%0D%0Anorthwestpharmacy+%0D%0Acanada+pharmacy+online+%0D%0Acanadian+pharmacy+no+prescription+%0D%0Acanada+drug&COMMENT=+%0D%0ATerrific+info.+Many+thanks.+%0D%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fcanadianpharmacysilo.com%2F+%0D%0Anorthwestpharmacy+%0D%0Acanada+pharmacy+online+%0D%0Acanadian+pharmacy+no+prescription+%0D%0Acanada+drug&NAME=HowardNaw&USED=&RATING=0&PRODUCT_NAME=%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8E%D1%80-%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81+Bestway+%2867224%29&PRODUCT_ID=28491″>drug stores near me
canadian rx pharmacy online
pharmacy online
canada drug
online pharmacy no prescription
Thanks a lot, Ample postings.
http://talahicc.com/
canadapharmacyonline.com trust pharmacy canada canada pharmacy online no script canadian pharmacies without an rx
canadapharmacyonline.com
discount drugs online pharmacy
canada drugs pharmacy
board of pharmacy
drugs for sale
drugs online
Appreciate it. Ample info.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
no prescription pharmacies canada drug drugs without prescription canadian drugs
discount pharmaceuticals
24 hour pharmacy
the canadian pharmacy
pharmacy without dr prescriptions
cheap prescription drugs online
no prescription pharmacy
Cheers, Terrific stuff.
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
pain meds online without doctor prescription canadian viagra canadian pharmacy meds canada pharmaceutical online ordering
canadian prescription drugs
no prescription online pharmacy
canadian drugs without prescription
pharmacy near me
canada pharmacies
mexican pharmacies
Many thanks, Loads of forum posts!
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
prescription drug cost canadian cialis no prescription pharmacies top rated canadian pharmacies online
prescription drugs without doctor approval
pharmacy online
prescription online
discount pharmacy online
canadian pharmacies that are legit
best canadian pharmacies
Very good material. Cheers!
http://talahicc.com/
pain meds online without doctor prescription mexican pharmacies shipping to usa rx online canadian cialis
pharmacy prescription
canadian prescription drugs
canadian prescriptions
discount pharmacy online
canadian discount pharmacy
canadian cialis
Thanks a lot! I appreciate this!
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
mail order pharmacies canadian pharmacies without an rx my canadian pharmacy mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canada pharmacies without script
global pharmacy canada
pharmacies near me
onlinecanadianpharmacy.com
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
no prescription pharmacies
Thanks a lot, Ample material!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canadapharmacy com canadian pharmacy online canadian pharmacies shipping to usa canada pharmaceutical online ordering
rx pharmacy
cialis online
drug stores near me
internet pharmacy
pharmacy prescription
mexican pharmacy online
Whoa a lot of amazing data.
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
canadian drugs canadian viagra prescription cost canadianpharmacy
best online pharmacies no prescription
candrugstore com
canadian meds
pharmacies in canada
drugs online
best online international pharmacies
You have made your point quite effectively!.
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canadapharmacyonline com canada pharmaceuticals online canadian drug canada online pharmacies
discount drugs online pharmacy
mexican pharmacy online medications
canadian drug
cheap drugs online
discount pharmacy
canadapharmacy com
Kudos! I value it!
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
global pharmacy canada canadian viagra 24 hour pharmacy canada online pharmacies
canadian pharmacy
canadian pharmacies that are legit
online pharmacy without prescription
online pharmacy without prescription
canadian online pharmacy reviews
online pharmacy usa
Perfectly spoken of course! .
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
canadian pharmacies online trust pharmacy canada pharmacy prescription top rated canadian pharmacies online
prescription drug price comparison
discount pharmacy online
best canadian mail order pharmacies
cialis online
drugs online
approved canadian pharmacies online
You suggested this superbly!
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canadapharmacyonline.com aarp approved canadian online pharmacies canadian pharcharmy online canada pharmacy online
safeway pharmacy
canadian drugs
pharmacy online
canadian pharma companies
canadian prescription
best price prescription drugs