Forgiveness in Business: Embracing Christ’s Call
Where The World Seeks Revenge, Offer Forgiveness
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In the cutthroat world of business, where grudges and revenge reign supreme, we’re called to a radically different approach: forgiveness, as taught by Jesus Christ. This behavior contradicts what Jesus taught us when he called us to forgive unconditionally.
Scripture teaches us not to approach the altar unless we have forgiven those who have wronged us. So, why should it be any different in business?
Unfortunately, many have come to accept the notion that business is a separate realm where forgiveness is not required. Often it’s taken even further. They might say, ‘Forgiveness is a sign of weakness.’ Yet, in business, we are individuals dealing with other individuals, and therefore, Jesus’ call to forgiveness applies very much so.
The Importance of Formal Forgiveness
Forgiving does not mean allowing ourselves to be walked over. There is a necessary formality in forgiveness, just as in our faith. While God may forgive us by confessing in our hearts, we are still required to visit the confessional and vocalize our sins. There is a psychological and spiritual transformation that occurs when we confess out loud and commit to amending our conduct.
In the same way, when we’re wronged, forgiveness doesn’t mean just letting it go. We should confront the wrongdoer. Put the issue in the light and then offer forgiveness. For instance, if a supplier tries to cheat you, it is charitable to give them another chance while clearly stating that repeated offenses will lead to finding a new supplier. If it comes to that, peacefully and without drama, cease business with them. Most importantly, do it calmly with peace, not anger, in your soul.
What About Employees Who Steal or Lie?
If an employee steals or lies, should you fire them? Oof. That’s a tough one, isn’t it? Here’s a story for you.
A while back, I learned of a man running a business in the Philippines who encountered this situation. He discovered that a long-time employee was stealing. This hurt him. Before even anger set in, he felt a deep sadness. This was the same employee whom he trusted to take his kids to school from time to time. He trusted him deeply.
After a lot of prayer about the situation, he felt God telling him the answer was forgiveness. So, the business owner confronted his employee, forgave him, and told him they would not give up on him. They would move him to a different role where he couldn’t touch the money and would be supervised if near it.
The reaction it invoked was so powerful. This employee began to cry because someone was willing to take a second chance on him. Apparently, he had a history of stealing, getting found out, and then being fired. He expected this to be the case, but it was not to be. In fact, because of this, they instituted a no-firing policy. The man is still with the company and has never stolen again.
The trust took a lot of time to rebuild, and it’s likely not fully returned to its former level. But they have committed fully to their employees, every aspect of them—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Seeking Forgiveness When You’ve Wronged Someone
What if You Wronged Someone? Oh boy!
You may want to skip over this part, but let’s be honest: at some point, all of us have wronged a person in business. Hopefully, it was not intentional or grave (although that’s common), but we still have wronged. Perhaps we lost our temper with an employee or shared something that was meant to be kept confidential. Often, it’s a mistake.
Here’s the thing: we all make mistakes. This is why forgiveness is so important in business. Even with pure intentions, we hurt or wrong other people somehow. Wouldn’t we want forgiveness in that situation? Remember that line about treating your neighbor as yourself and the one about turning the other cheek. Well, it comes in handy right about now. So does the scene where Jesus says to the angry crowd, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
We must forgive as we want to be forgiven. Again, no need to just let it go without bringing it up. We can seek forgiveness or offer it. Once both parties have reconciled, things can begin to move forward.
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The Practical Benefits of Forgiveness in Business
These invisible walls that develop between us cause issues. This is especially relevant among employees. If they have not forgiven each other, they are probably harboring ill will, often unintentionally. In some ways, we need to be the parent in the room and get them to solve these issues, to talk it out. This way, they start working together again, and the business can serve its customers well.
Imagine a restaurant where the wait staff have beef with each other—and I’m not talking about NY Strip steaks. They are likely not going to help each other out. Depending on their disposition, they might even go as far as sabotaging each other. This would cause chaos and lead to bad customer service, which would lead to fewer customers, declining revenue, and eventually put you out of business.
It’s a destructive force. However, when forgiveness is given, it’s a transformative force.
The Transformative Power of Forgiveness
As we saw in the example of forgiving the man who stole, forgiveness can move someone deeply. Forgiving your employees, business partners, and suppliers can have a huge impact.
In small matters, it strengthens the relationship. The more pain and challenge a group of people endure, the more ‘distance they travel’ together giving them more shared history.
In large matters, it can cause the wrongdoer to have a deep conversion. Imagine if you did something wrong in the heat of a moment. You know it’s wrong. You are ashamed. If they come at you angrily, perhaps too angrily, it’s easy to push away, saying, ‘See! They were harsh towards me.’ But if they are kind and approach with charity, think of how it will soften your heart.
This, my friends, is another example of living the faith and evangelizing through action.
The influence of action is far greater than words. As humans, we often struggle to put our feelings into words. In a moment of shame it can be especially hard to recognize what’s going on in our hearts. When we are forgiven for a wrong we have committed and know we don’t deserve it, it’s emotional. It strikes at the heart of our very being. Someone gave us a second chance when we had no right—no claim to it.
In the same way, Christ died for our sins. We didn’t deserve that second chance, but He gave it to us. So, not only does Christ call us to forgive, but his life was one heroic act of forgiveness for all of mankind. How can we not carry this lesson into business with an example like that?
Building a Reputation of Integrity
While I think that would be a great place to end this, I believe it’s important to highlight one more thing.
If you take this disposition towards all the people you deal with (in business and personal life) you will eventually build a reputation of integrity.
When wronged, you confront the person. Often, they will make things up to you and they will feel a sense of obligation towards you. In the case of a supplier, they may give you deference. A customer may give you more business because you forgave them.
Once your reputation spreads, you might get access to top-tier partners and suppliers because your reputation proceeds you.
Within your industry, you’re likely to attract employees who want to work for an upstanding person like you. You might gain more customers for the same reason.
On the flip side, if you have done wrong, seeking forgiveness and offering restitution will prevent many bridges from being burned. People will respect your honesty. You cannot measure the benefits of honesty. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard business moguls mention the importance of honesty and the role it played in their success.
Point is, don’t underestimate the value of the reputation that will follow through this way of doing business.
In summary: Jesus tells us to forgive when we have been wronged and to seek forgiveness when we have wronged others—this applies to business as well as our personal lives. Through embodying this spirit of forgiveness, we are living out the example of Christ—shining his light to the world, allowing him to touch the hearts of men. This will bring about more conversion and help build God’s kingdom.
See ya next time! 👋
Discuss With Us!
Let us know what you think of this piece in the comments? We are not perfect, so your feedback and insight help us refine these ideas.
I was thinking of trying to tie in how this lack of forgiveness in the culture is what led to the litigious society that we hve, but it felt too much to make into one post.
Any thoughts from other readers on that idea?