PROCLAIMING
JESUS CHRIST
THROUGH
CYBER-EVANGELIZATION
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CFC-FFL
GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS DEALINGS BETWEEN OR AMONG MEMBERS
A. GENERAL GUIDELINES
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BASIC
COMMITMENT. The commitment to love and serve
one another takes precedence over the pursuit of profit
or economic gain. Our commitment is to be ready to
meet one another’s need by our personal help
and resources and to look upon one another’s
welfare as our own. (1 Pet 1:22) |
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RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We are committed to a life of righteousness
and holiness, not just individually but also as
a body. All our business dealings are to be conducted
in a righteous and just way, in accordance with
Christian tenets and principles pertinent to the
particular business situation at hand. (Prov 16:8,
10:29, 15:27; Lk 16:13; Eph 4:24)
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PROPER
STEWARDSHIP. We are stewards of the talents
and resources entrusted to us by the Lord. It is
our duty and responsibility to harness, develop
and utilize them properly and to exert our best
efforts to preserve the viability and profitability
of our business in order to contribute to the common
good and continue to serve each other’s needs.
(Lk 19:13,15-26; Col 3:23; Prov 10:4)
Business
decisions are to be based on sound judgement and
exercise of reasonable discretion in the light of
and rooted in Christian teachings, particularly
regarding the role of business profit in God’s
plan. (Prov 15:22, 19:20, 20:18)
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GUIDANCE.
Problems and differences arising from business transactions
may lead to a breakdown of relationships. Such conflicts
not only affect the members’ commitment to love
and serve one another but also the unity and peace
of the body. (Gal 5:14-15). Business dealings with
members should therefore be shared with one’s
household leader for information and guidance. The
Household/Unit Servant should handle the situation
according to his level of competence. (Heb 13:17) |
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HOUSEHOLD
SERVANT’S NEUTRALITY/INDEPENDENCE.
It is wise policy for a Household Servant to generally
inhibit himself from entering into business with any
of the members under his care in order to safeguard
and ensure his freedom in giving objective input or
direction affecting not only the personal life of
his household members but also their business affairs.
(1 Pet 5:2-3) |
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SPOUSES.
Husbands are to be open to their wives in whatever
business deals that may participate in or be involved
in. A wife is to secure her husband’s approval
before entering into any business relationship. (Eph
5:22-33) |
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SPEECH.
Sharing by others of any information, particularly
those arising from business difficulties, should always
be guided by righteous and prudent use of speech.
(2 Cor 12:19; 1 Pet 2:1) |
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OPENNESS
AND FULL DISCLOSURE. We each have the duty
to fully disclose the material facts and the attendant
risks relative to a business proposition. At the
same time, there exists the concomitant responsibility
of each member to seek answers and clarifications
to his questions and other matters he may be unclear
about. Misunderstandings should always be avoided
to preserve peace and harmony between and among
members.
Full
disclosure must also be made regarding all facts
and circumstances surrounding or in connection with
the business transaction which might give rise to
a possible conflict-of-interest situation or may
cause any undue influence or may impair the objectivity
or impartiality of one’s judgment or decision
on any business matter.
There
may be a tendency for members to take each other
for granted. There is also the possibility of a
member abusing his relationship with another member.
Therefore, as much as possible, put all agreements
and other important matters in writing as a record
of the commitments and mutual expectations of the
members concerned. The spirit of the agreements,
written or verbal, is to be honored at all times.
When appropriate, regular or periodic reports are
to be made to keep members concerned abreast of
developments. (Eph 4:15; Ex 17:14a; Mt 5:33; Gal
6:10; Rom 13:8; Prov 25:9)
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WORKING
OUT CONFLICTS. Being members of the same body, we
are duty bound to exert every effort to resolve any
conflict or misunderstanding in an amicable manner
to preserve loving personal relationships and to prevent
harm to the body. If the controversy cannot be resolved
by the members involved, the dispute should be elevated
to the Chapter Servant or to whomsoever he may ask
or designate to handle the dispute. Court litigation
should not normally be resorted to. (1 Cor 6:1-7;
Dt 17:8-11) |
B.
SPECIFIC BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
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SUPPLIER/PROFESSIONAL-CUSTOMER/CLIENT.
Profit not being the only consideration and recalling
our commitment to meet and serve the needs of our
buyers/clients, a supplier of products or services
has the obligation to look after the welfare of his
buyer/client. However, the pricing of products or
services must be in the light of teachings on proper
stewardship in which no member is required or expected
to suffer a business loss or to impair the assets
of his business enterprise or prejudice the interest
of his other partners or investors. Nevertheless,
the obligation to be generous to one another remains
but need not be limited to business transactions.
Assisting a member from one’s own personal resources
may be called for. (Rom 16:2; Mt 22:39, 25:37-40;
1 Jn 3:17; 2 Cor 8:13-14; 2 Cor 9:6-12)
It
is incumbent also upon the client/customer to clarify
himself about the products or service so as not to
have false or erroneous expectations.
Once
agreements are entered into and commitments are made,
each member must faithfully comply and be steadfast
to his word. (Mt 5:37; Rom 13:8; Gal 6:10) |
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EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE.
The employer can expect of a member-employee the same
level of performance as he would demand of a non-member,
in terms of diligence, faithfulness, loyalty, honesty,
etc. in the work environment. On the other hand, the
employer must deal with all his employees righteously
and fairly, relating to them not as units of work
but as human beings deserving love and respect. In
the spirit of 1 Tim 6:2, the employee must strive
to serve with greater zeal and efficiency as one serving
a brother. The relationship should always reflect
and witness to God’s love, power, truth, justice
and righteousness. It should be characterized by a
spirit of openness. Should there be any conflict that
cannot be resolved in the workplace, the matter should
be submitted to the community leaders. |
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BORROWER-LENDER.
As a general rule, we discourage borrowing by one member
from another (unless it is the lender’s official
business). While we are encouraged to help one another
with our resources, we recognize the dangers for community
relationships inherent in personal loans, when debts
are not paid. Thus if there has to be borrowing/lending,
we should see to it that this be done with the knowledge
of the Household Servants of both borrower and lender,
or when required by the particular circumstances of
the members involved, with the approval of higher leaders.
Such will help ensure that the borrower’s needs
are met or serve as an opportunity for the borrower
to grow in the area of putting order into his finances.
Openness serves to protect and preserve good personal
relationships. (Rom 12:5; Col 3:16; 1 Jn 3:21; Eph 5:8-11)
A
Household Servant should NOT borrow from his subordinates.
If he needs to borrow from another community member,
he should first seek guidance and approval from his
household leader.
It
is advisable to put the loan agreement in writing,
including the terms of payment. Punctual payment of
the debt should be a primary concern of the borrower.
(Rom 13:8) |
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BROKER-CLIENT.
A broker is committed to look after the welfare of his
fellow member-client and should therefore fully disclose
all known available facts, circumstances, risks, etc.
Unless otherwise specified, the broker should make it
clear and the parties should realize that he does not
warrant anything. Parties to the transaction must remain
good stewards. |
(SG.
Dec 25, 2010)
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