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Christianity Today, October (Web-only), 2008 |

SPEAKING OUT

The Engine of the Market

It's not capital. Why wealthy evangelicals and others need to reconsider executive compensation.

D. Michael Lindsay | posted 10/03/2008 06:47AM

American evangelicals are becoming a wealthy lot. This has created opportunities for the wider evangelical world. Rich evangelicals have deployed their financial resources to establish new ministries, ...

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homebuilding

Posted: October 11, 2008 1:42 PM

EXCESSIVE GREED EXCESSIVE PAY EXCESSIVE ADVERTISING EXCESSIVE "FOLLOWING THE WAYS OF THE WORLD" I taught my kids to boycott products and services of companies that overpaid their executives, created phony "needs" in their advertising, and perpetually seek to minimize employee compensation and benefits I try to live this way myself Please provide me with any meaningful justification for the fancy pay and fancy lifestyles--anywhere.

beer christianity

Posted: October 08, 2008 2:31 AM

When you consider paid golf vacations as "thank you gifts," housing stipends, and using increased congregational giving as justification for higher salaries, perhaps the executives that should take the lead in "[eschewing] the accoutrements of an executive lifestyle" are those who chose the life of pastors and ministers. If one's humble vocational choice happens to lead to employment at a mega-church, should she or he refuse the high salary and insist on getting paid what the pastor of a 30-person home church pulls down every year? If we have extra money in our congregation, and people in our city who are homeless and Christ-less, what does that say about how we value wealth? A whole lot.

H. D. Schmidt

Posted: October 05, 2008 11:17 AM

However excellent this article is; it is in essence referring to basically only one very tiny symptom, of what really is in reality what now is an absolute mortal morally condition of America, the nation under God and claims to trust God, as Christians of every persuasion, for many decades just stood by and actually supported politicians in Washington, many even becoming politicians, and little by little making America into the most abusive and far-reaching Empire the world has ever known. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong, basing the rebutall and the legacy of the Founding Fathers? Yes, as also America all along evermore falling in love with Socialism/Communism. period. Just to refresh the memory of some who can still remember Krushchev in the 60's at the UN while pounding his shoe on his desk amongst many thing he said thIs: "Americans will accept Communism and not know it". Yes, America's war machinery all over the world, while internally melting economically as a piece of ice!

Michele M.

Posted: October 05, 2008 8:58 AM


Who are you responding to Pastor Don? Did I miss an article? Don't get me wrong - it looks like we agree on this overall issue, but I was wondering who "Jay" was?

Doug B

Posted: October 04, 2008 3:11 PM

As believers we have to lead in everything, especially in this current climate of ridicule from the media (i.e. - scoffing of Sarah Palin's faith and Bill Maher's new documentary). When we "walk the walk" we make room for people to trust and inquire. When we say one thing and do another, all of our credibility is damaged. This holds true for the pulpit, the boardroom, the living room and even the hall of Congress and the White House. It must begin with me, but not end there. On "Caveat Bettor": Yes, you bring up all kinds of inequities in our society, business is the current hot topic, but we could expand it to sports, media, et. al. I do believe that your shots at Charles Swindoll and Rick Warren are mis-informed at best and a bit caustic. Please do research on their giving and philanthropy before making them examples of a misplaced ethic.

The MediaBlog

Posted: October 04, 2008 12:35 PM


"How much is enough for an executive to keep? The annual salary of the president of the United States is $400,000. That seems like a reasonable place to start." Legalism.

Lindy Scott

Posted: October 04, 2008 8:32 AM


This article barely scratches the surface of a profound malady of North American Christians: we have loved money more than we have loved God. Mammon has a stranglehold upon us. Christian executives limiting their income to $400,000 a year is a beginning step, albeit a very modest one.

Roger

Posted: October 03, 2008 9:03 PM


The problem is with the fixation on money not just by CEO's but by their critics who also measure other faith by their check book. Is the Christian solution to everything throwing money at any problem. Doug Giles is right when he said that preachers should declare a ten year moritorium on preaching about money!

Rich Straight

Posted: October 03, 2008 9:02 PM

I know of many missionries (myself included) who have had their opportunities to minister greatly curtailed because wealthy churches and friends neglected promises to God, and to His sent persons, and instead, chose to spend money that would "make themselves look good". Several ministries that the Lord showed me, had to be stopped because of lack of funding. As far as finances are concerned, the Lord has shown me that it is far better for us (Christians) to be generous even to our own detriment, than to be "Scrooges" to the watching world...and, be assured, the peoples of the world are watching!

Brady

Posted: October 03, 2008 9:00 PM

The integrity of a CEO is of key importance, but if one draws their morals and importance from the right place there is no need for a huge salary. In fact, it would be offensive. I don't think that someone could rationally look at a company where he's making 400 times the average worker and say "Hey, no worries, I'm running the company ethically." As in the article, moral CEOs (as well as owners and bosses) who find themselves in this position frequently have the desire to give back more. It's all Gods money anyway, why not use it for his glory? It's better in the long run, that's for sure. Something to remember is that any system will work if everyone in it is strictly moral. We have laws and regulations because it'll be awhile (second coming anyone?) until people are all "moral." (AKA Man alive do we ever need Jesus.) Please note that stars are for rating the article, and not peoples reviews. :)

John M

Posted: October 03, 2008 8:28 PM


I agree with the author. The amount some of these execs are making so far exceeds that of a skilled worker that it can't help but to create permanent inequalities in our society which are essentially un-American. The situation is also reminiscent of some of the "strayings" which led to Israel's woes time and again. And on the plus side, one's tithe is still tax-deductible.

Pastor Don Klompeen

Posted: October 03, 2008 7:00 PM

Baloney to Jay. He's probably not unemployed and sounds very unloving and careless about the poor. Even if the extreme compensation of CEO's is not a major factor in correcting the total economic system, what kind of an example does it set for all Americans? A few years ago, in Grt. Britain, CEO's got 35 times more than their average worker, in Germany, the ratio was 21 to 1, in Japan, 20 to 1; in the U.S., 415 to 1. And what kind of example is this to the world? This certainly looks like greed and unfairness to me. --Rev. Don Klompeen, Bothell, WA

Geoff

Posted: October 03, 2008 5:16 PM

This is a great article, and ought to be a welcome challenge. It seems to me that those who think like "Ken G" are misinterpreting Jesus' "great commandment:" Love God... and love your neighbor. Yes, this does imply personal responsibility before God. But what does that look like? If we look to Christ as our example, then responsible Christianity includes challenging those who claim to have faith, but seem to contradict it by their actions. This must always be done with humility and grace, because we are no better, but it is wrong to assume that economic justice doesn't matter. What does it say when someone claims to be a Christian but keeps on stuffing their pockets, while their employees suffer hardship? Economic justice is intricately tied to our own personal responsibility as Christians, and if Christians are not addressing that question, who will? Wall Street? The government? God help us if we are relying upon "the market" to tell us how we ought to live.

Jay	Posted: October 03, 2008 4:21 PM


Good questions, wrong focus. The "focus" on money is the root of all kinds of evil...that's what this article focuses on: money. If the CEO runs the company with integrity and with an intent to further the Kingdom here on earth, the compensation is a non issue...

caveat bettor

Posted: October 03, 2008 1:58 PM

I agree that many corporate executives are way overpaid. But there are cases that a few, at least, are way underpaid (e.g. Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs), if you start adding up how many jobs some leaders have created, how many families have been helped by more (food, medicine, technology, safety) for less, and how much charity some have given away. Is it wrong for Rick Warren or Chuck Swindoll to be best selling authors, who's aggregate income exceeds that of top executives? I mean, good books are awesome, but how about all the folks who make sure your baby diapers and food are safe and effective, the folks who make the affordable cellphones that keep you in touch with your teenager, and the folks who help care for your aging parents? And why not be more inclusive? There are actors who make more than $30 million per movie, and athletes who make more than $20 million per year. I mean, good entertainment is awesome, but ...

Dale Fincher

Posted: October 03, 2008 1:52 PM

I think this article raises good questions to wrestle with. Money is always a hard issue. I think Ken G. raises good points. Overall, I find the evangelical climate has an underlying assumption that money is bad. It is true we get into trouble with it; but we also get into trouble with the opposite sex. It's better not to disdain other humans and better not to disdain money. Rather let us disdain those vices that hurt us and cause abuse of good things. I'm not against executive compensation if a business is healthy and others are getting their fair pay. I think in downturns, executives ought to cut their wages first because that comes with the responsibility of leading a company (thus making more when the company is strong). Probably not a good idea to judge our salaries against those of public servants (like the president). And, if I were wealthy, AP, I likely wouldn't disclose my money habits to many evangelicals for the assumption I stated above. They distrust wealth.

MoreOrLess

Posted: October 03, 2008 1:11 PM

Excellent, timely and very well expressed! This issue isn't about economic justice, as some may imply; it is about Kingdom values and accountability. If it acts like the world, quacks like the world and expresses the same values of the world, then most likely it is the world. Rick Warren's expression of values ($$$) are an example for anyone who claims Christ, not just those in ministry. When I first got saved I gave away or sold everything I had and invested in ministry because of the clear and gripping terms used in the Word to describe this pitfall. I did this twice more in my life, each time I made a major shift. The life in Christ that I have had is priceless! I am greatly concerned about the eletist and extravagant ministries that are influencing the Church today. I beleive that this influebce is restraining the fullness of God's plan for us. SEND REVIVAL, LORD, SEND IT NOW!

Perry D

Posted: October 03, 2008 12:38 PM


I agree with Ken G. Our own walk is what matters not economic justice. Jesus did not die and leave me in charge to manage other people. Thanks Ken G for you comment

Ken G

Posted: October 03, 2008 12:21 PM

At what point does it become our business to look over the hedge and say, "They make too much money?" Whenever I hear this I think of a certain Commandment regarding my neighbor. The only witnessing I can control is myself. I absolutely beleive that it is fundamentally misguided to ask that question. That CEO will be able to impact things in ways that I frankly will probably never impact. Our own walk is what matters not "economic justice". What is our main purpose here? Inequality and greed are just used here without meaning and that kind of usage is a danger to our freedoms, not least of worship.

Mark Eaton

Posted: October 03, 2008 12:19 PM

Thank you. Excellent article. I strongly disagree with AP and anyone else who says this is a personal issue. This attitude is why the body of Christ is so fragmented. If you are a Believer, you, I, and every other believer are connected in the same body, the Body of Christ. How you live your life directly affects me and everyone else who are connected with you. You cannot live your life without thinking of everyone else. As Rev. 12:11 says, our strongest weapons are the blood of Jesus and our testimony. What kind of testimony do you have by piling up wealth for yourself and igoring the need of brothers and sisters? To put it another way, how can you be extremely wealthy and aligned with 1 John 3:17 which says "whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart from him, how can the love of God abide in him?". So get out of your mansion and in touch with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Then you will see their needs.

AP	Posted: October 03, 2008 11:42 AM

Mr. Lindsay- Did you not tell us at a retreat where you spoke that most of the executives and leaders you spoke to did not want to talk about how they handled their money? I found that interesting. We all want to discuss our faith, but not when it comes to money. I for one am a free market person on this issue. If the market will support outlandish salaries, then so be it. It is, after all, not how much you make, but whether or not you let it control you. And you must answer to Christ on that issue in the end, whether or not you make $20k or $20 million a year.

Jack	Posted: October 03, 2008 11:35 AM

Good article-thanks for speaking out on this even though you may get accused of promoting "class warfare" by some readers. Personally, with the condition of our society-it's income inequality and government serving the interests mainly of big business and the wealthy, it's time for us to re-read the writings of proponents of the social gospel (such as Sameul Zane Batten and others). Frankly, we now live in a modern day gilded age and instead of christians accepting the way things are and waiting to be raptured away while the rest of the world suffers tribulation, we should show concern for the common good. I know the “social gospel” has been dismissed as irrelevant, liberal, socialist, unchristian, and un-American. Christians showing concern for the common good and challenging society’s status quo sounds alien to many, but more and more I think it will be only way anyone will take evangelicals seriously.

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