How can Proverbs 11:26 guide Christian entrepreneurs in their business ethics? Setting the Scene Proverbs 11 gathers short, vivid contrasts between righteousness and wickedness, many of them describing the marketplace. Verse 26 zooms in on the moral choice an owner faces when scarcity pushes prices up. The Verse in Focus: Proverbs 11:26 “People will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will come to the one who sells it.” Key Observations from the Text • “Hoarder of grain” – an individual able to relieve need yet withholding goods to manipulate price or power. • “People will curse” – social and reputational ruin follow greed. • “Blessing” – public gratitude and divine favor rest on transparent benevolence. • “Sells it” – commerce itself is not condemned; the sin lies in exploitative delay. Biblical Principles for Entrepreneurs • Stewardship, not ownership: Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 4:2. • Honest weights and fair pricing: Proverbs 11:1; Deuteronomy 25:13–16. • Active generosity: Luke 6:38; 1 Timothy 6:17–19. • Love of neighbor guides profit motive: Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:9–10. Practical Applications in Today’s Marketplace Inventory & Supply • Release inventory when need is high; resist profiting from panic buying or disasters. • Avoid artificial scarcity—do not destroy, hide, or slow production merely to inflate price. Pricing & Transparency • Base price on fair cost, value, and reasonable margin, not desperation of buyers. • Disclose true availability and timeframes. Hidden fees and surprise mark-ups mimic hoarding. Customer Relationships • Treat every sale as service, not conquest. Proverbs 3:27: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it.” • Cultivate good will; long-term blessing outweighs short-term spikes. Supply-Chain Ethics • Partner only with suppliers who likewise refuse exploitation (James 5:4). • Honor contracts even when the market could reward breaking them. Crisis Response • Use emergencies as moments to show Christ’s character—discount, donate, or cap profits. • Communicate hope and stability rather than fear-driven marketing (Isaiah 32:8). Potential Challenges and Godly Responses • Fear of missing profit: remember Luke 12:15—“life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” • Pressure from investors: model Daniel 1:8 integrity; trust God to honor faithfulness. • Competitors who do exploit scarcity: choose Romans 12:21—overcome evil with good. Motivations Grounded in the Gospel • Christ freely gave what we could never afford (2 Corinthians 8:9). Benevolent commerce echoes that grace. • The Spirit enables generosity that defeats the flesh’s instinct to grasp (Galatians 5:16–17, 22–23). • An eternal reward surpasses any earthly margin (Matthew 6:19–21). Take-Away Summary Proverbs 11:26 calls Christian entrepreneurs to oppose manipulative scarcity, practice fair pricing, and use every market opportunity to bless rather than burden. When need swells, so should our generosity, ensuring that both our neighbors and our Lord speak well of us. |
    |