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Ethical Leadership in Industry

EasterIndustrial Strategy, Innovation and Worker DignityWeek 20 · Day 5

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Jeremiah 22:13-16

13 “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by injustice; who uses his neighbour’s service without wages, and doesn’t give him his hire;

14 who says, ‘I will build myself a wide house and spacious rooms,’ and cuts out windows for himself, with a cedar ceiling, and painted with red.

15 “Should you reign because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.

16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.

New Testament

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

26 It shall not be so amongst you; but whoever desires to become great amongst you shall be your servant.

27 Whoever desires to be first amongst you shall be your bondservant,

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Thought for the Day

Jeremiah's accusation against the king is painfully concrete: a house built with injustice, neighbours made to work without wages, splendour purchased by exploitation. God is not impressed by impressive projects when the vulnerable are used as unpaid bricks. He even holds up Josiah as a contrast: to do justice and righteousness is to know the Lord.

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Jesus names the same temptation in another key. The rulers of the nations lord it over others; status becomes domination. Not so among you, he says. Greatness is redefined as service, and authority is judged by the willingness to bear cost for others. The Son of Man does not take; he gives.

Put together, these passages refuse both cynicism and naivety about leadership. They tell the truth: power can crush. They also offer hope: power can be re-ordered under the kingship of Christ, where leadership is a form of love.

As heirs, we are free from the need to win at any price. As subjects, we are forbidden to profit from our neighbour's weakness. Around the Lord's Table, there are no expendable people. Lord, give ethical courage to those who manage, hire, procure, and sign contracts; and teach us to honour the worker as our brother and sister in your household.

Prayer Points

Respond
  • Righteous Lord, expose hidden exploitation and protect workers who cannot easily speak up.
  • Give courage and integrity to leaders in business and industry, that they would choose justice over vanity.
  • Provide fair work and fair pay, and restrain systems that reward harm and conceal responsibility.
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  • Forgive us where we have admired success while ignoring the cost borne by others.
  • Make the Church a truthful witness: humble in tone, clear in conviction, and generous in action.
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