2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
The Bible teaches us that every area of our lives should be in submission to Christ and that His principles should govern our actions. That includes insulating ourselves from harmful influences that are counterproductive to the work, the occupation, to which God has called us. Colossians 2 states:
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
The role of corporations in promoting controversial topics has certainly been a matter of debate, especially in light of the Dobbs decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. The news website of Family Research Council, The Washington Stand, highlighted 60 companies who, as of last Monday, had decided to weigh in on their support for abortion - the article said: "60 CEOs raced to announce updated “health care” policies that include thousands of dollars in abortion stipends and travel reimbursement..." The article said:
The New York Times was just one of the outlets scratching its head over Big Business’s “muted response” to Dobbs. “Companies are more vocal than ever on social issues,” reporters Emma Goldberg and Lora Kelley insisted. But “not on abortion.” To the Times, the measured reactions were even more noticeable in June, when the pride deluge is so corporately all-consuming.
And, one of those 60 companies that offered to help fund women's abortions is now facing some legal hot water. LifeNews.com related, regarding Dick's Sporting Goods, that:
National Review reports America First Legal filed a civil rights complaint against the company Thursday with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, urging an investigation into its new abortion “benefit.”
Dick’s is one of dozens of major companies that recently promised to give their employees money to abort their unborn babies in response to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The new “benefit” from the sporting goods company provides up to $4,000 for travel expenses for an employee, their spouse or dependents to have an abortion.
“Although Title VII prohibits discrimination based on childbirth, DICK’S does not offer an equivalent paid benefit to a mother who has her baby,” America First Legal said in a statement this week.
The LifeNews.com article pointed out:
Most companies couched their pro-abortion stance in terms of “health care,” claiming women need abortions to be healthy and free. But these companies are encouraging the elective, unnecessary killing of unborn babies in abortions through these new benefits.
What women and their babies need is real support, and pro-life advocates are striving to provide it. Along with passing the heartbeat law last year, Texas state lawmakers also increased support for pregnant and parenting mothers and babies, ensuring that they have resources to choose life for their babies. Other pro-life advocates across the U.S. also are working to expand support services for families in need, through pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and even pregnant and parenting mothers in prison.
The Washington Stand, in another article, highlighted one company that decided to go in a different direction than those who promoted abortion to their employees. The company is Buffer Insurance, based in Texas; the article states:
On June 27, the company announced on Facebook and Instagram that it will “pay the medical costs for our employees who birth babies” as well as “provide paid time off … to have maternity & paternity leave” and “pay for the medical costs associated with adopting a baby.”
The insurance company went on to announce that other companies are welcome to contact them to learn more about how they can offer similar benefits to their employees. “We have ready-to-use policies you can add to your employee handbooks,” Buffer stated in a Facebook post.
A recent Meeting House guest, Mary Szoch, FRC's Director of the Center for Human Dignity, stated: “Buffer Insurance’s announcement that they will cover medical expenses for birthing, maternity and paternity leave, and adoption for all of their employees reveals that the company values women in their entirety — including their capacity to be mothers,” adding, “Buffer Insurance clearly recognizes that women bring something unique to the table — that because of their innate ability to collaborate with the Creator in bringing life into the world, the contributions of women are distinct from those of men.”
And, CBN reports that...
In response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Orlando-based Christ for All Nations (CfaN) announced that it will reimburse employees for adoption expenses up to $5,000.
CfaN says that includes reimbursement adoption application fees, relevant home studies, agency and placement fees, legal fees and court costs, immigration, immunization, and translation fees, transportation, meals, and lodging, as well as parent, child, and family adoption counseling.
There is much to say about corporate responsibility - rather than participate in divisive stands that are unbiblical, there are those who wish to affirm motherhood and even adoption, which are non-controversial and consistent with Scripture. It's a matter of affirming what is or could be right in our society, rather than break it down and decrease its numbers through abortion.
The pro-life movement has been and continues to do that every single day.
We can consider how can we use our companies to exalt Christ - operate by Christian principles in how it treats its customers and its employees. Compassion should not be a controversial issue and should be good for business. But, being "good for business" is not the primary aim to exhibit compassion - for the Christian in the business world, it should be a guiding principle that honors God. And, we can know that God blesses those who align themselves with His ways.
But, all in all, we should strive to be people of conviction in our dealings with others. And, if we are putting Christ first, then we will, as Scripture teaches, put people first. If we are putting Him first, we will be people who can be trusted. And, we will not present an image that is tarnished by a willingness to embrace worldly ideologies.
No comments:
Post a Comment