Manna issue 71 - Magnifying Christian Values in the Corporate World 在商業世界中擴大基督徒的美德
How to be a truly successful
Christian boss.
Philip Shee—Dubai, UAE
要如何真正成為一個成功的基督徒老闆
阿拉伯聯合大公國，杜拜 許腓利 執事
You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it
under a basket, but on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in
the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father
in heaven.
(Mt 5:14–16)
14你們是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隱藏的。
15人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈臺上，就照亮一家的人。
16你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。
(太 5：14-16)
While this message was directed at
all Christians, it is especially relevant
to those who are entrusted with
supervisory or managerial positions
in the workplace. As Christians
move up the corporate ladder, it is
natural that we also become more
visible. Therefore, it is not surprising
that bosses are regular features of
lunchtime conversations. Just as a city
set on a hill, they cannot escape from
such scrutiny, especially from their
subordinates. Every little act or word
may unleash a wave of unintended
perceptions. Any negative impression
created may cause Christian bosses
to be stumbling blocks to their
subordinates, who may be turned
off by the Christian faith. For this
reason, we need to be careful not to
use our positions to push our weights
around when we are promoted to
higher positions. Conversely, if we
were to leverage on our visibility and
manifest Christian virtues through
our good works, we could gain the
respect of our subordinates and be
powerful testimonies that bring glory
to God.
雖然這個經節的對象是所有的基督徒，但對於那些在職場上負有監督或是管理職位的人，特別的有重大義意。
當基督徒延著公司升遷的梯子往上爬的時候，很自然的也變得特別的顯眼。
所以，老闆時常是午餐聊天的話題，另人一點也不驚訝。
就好像是在山頂上蓋一座城，他們無法逃脫別人對他們眼光，特別是屬下更是一覽無遺。
每一個小小的動作，或是無意的言語，都會發出一波意料之外的看法。
任何產生出來的負面形象，可能會導致基督徒老闆成為部屬的一種絆腳石，他們因此會拒絕接受基督教的信仰。
因為這個原因，我們一定要很小心，當我們被提拔到高位時，不要使用自已的職位，來把自已的壓力施加給四周的同事。
相反地，若是我們利用自已的能見度，透過我們工作上的好表現，來展示基督徒的美德，
我們就可以得到部屬的尊敬，並且可以成為一種有力的見証，把榮耀歸給神。
RESPONSIBILITY VERSUS LORDSHIP 責任與上下之間的關係
The corporate world often associates
position with power. When people
are promoted into senior managerial
positions, they assume bigger
authority, which often comes with
expectations of submission from
other people.
商業的世界裡，職位常常和權力有關係。
當被提拔到資深管理階層的時詣，會得到更大的權力，
這個行為也常會期待別人對你會加以巨服。
In contrast, the Christian
philosophy for the office place is best
expressed by Jesus’ words: “…You
know that the rulers of the Gentiles
lord it over them, and those who are
great exercise authority over them.
Yet it shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great
among you, let him be your servant”
(Mt 20:25–26). Christian bosses can
also adopt this virtue in the workplace.
As our careers progress, we must
always remember that the position
we hold is a responsibility we have
over staff under our management.
If we care for the well-being of our
subordinates, take special interest
in helping them progress and serve
them by providing the support they
need for success, we will surely
stand out from many others. The
fair-minded among our subordinates
will see this light shining against the
darkness of bosses who are lording
over their staff, raising unreasonable
expectations, and demanding their
services only to fuel their own selfish
ambition and progress. Subordinates
of good Christian bosses may very
well choose to reciprocate and go the
extra mile to support them.
相反地，在職場中基督徒的哲學由耶穌作了最合宜的陳述：
"25你們知道外邦人有君王為主治理他們，有大臣操權管束他們。"
"26只是在你們中間，不可這樣；你們中間誰願為大，就必作你們的用人；"(太 20：25-26)
基督徒的長官也能在職場上採用這種美德。
隨著我們職涯的成長，我總一定會記得，我們所得到的職位，相對於在我們之下接受管理的職員，就是一種責任。
若是我們關心個已部屬的福利，特別用心來幫助他們成長，提供更多支援讓他們可以成功，我們就一定會和別人有所不同。
部屬內心的好印象就會像是看見光一樣，勝過一般長官的黑暗面，他們只會管轄部屬，提出不合理的期待，
或是出於自私的野心和發展，要他們來服務。
好基督徒長官的部屬，很可能因此選擇來回報，並且願意額外付出來幫助這些老闆。
As we adopt the attitude that the
office we hold is about shouldering
responsibility for our people rather
than assuming authority over them,
we start to magnify our Christian
virtues in the corporate world and
provide an effective alternative to
successful management style.
當我們採用了這樣的態度，認為我們所主持的辨公場，是要把我們成員的責任一肩挑起，而不是用權力來轄制他們，
我們就開始在職場的世界中，放大的基督徒的美德，並且提供了一種有效的轉變方式來達到成功的管理風格。
FAIRNESS OF REWARD 獎酬的公平性
One of the most common grouses in
the workplace is the lack of fairness
and transparency in the reward and
recognition system. The undeserving
are rewarded for the extra mile they
go to socialize, wine, dine, and golf
with the bosses and not for hard
work or performance. The talented
and hardworking are not recognized
for their excellent performance, just
because they are not in the bosses’
inner circle. These common scenarios
often act as a catalyst to trigger
dissatisfaction among employees.
職場中，眾多最常見的怨言之一，就在獎酬的時候缺乏公平和透明性，以及相應的認定系統。
不配得到獎勵的人，因有特別去與老闆作社交，酒會，晚宴及高爾夫球活動，而受到獎賞，而不是因為努力工作或是積效很好。
有天份或是努力工作的人不因為他們優良的表現而被認同，只因為他們沒有機會打入這些老闆是小圈圈之內。
這些一般的場景，常常會成為一種催化劑，在眾多員工之前引起不滿的情緒。
As Christian bosses, we, therefore,
have another opportunity to shine
and magnify Christian principles if we
adopt the guidance provided in Jesus’
parable of the minas. In the parable,
a certain nobleman entrusted his
servants with one mina each and
instructed them to do business with
it. When he returned, the first servant
reported that he had made ten minas
from that one mina. He was praised
by his master and rewarded with
authority over ten cities. The second
servant reported that he had earned
five minas from the one mina. He
was then rewarded with authority
over five cities. Then another servant
came forward to return the same
one mina to the master, citing his
fear over his master’s austerity as
the reason for doing nothing. The
master then judged him because he
did not even do the barest minimum
of placing the money in the bank
to earn interest (Lk 19:13–26). The
following principles can be observed:
身為基督徒的長官，若我們運用耶穌說的銀子的比喻的教導，
所以就有另一個機會來為主發光，放大基督徒的處世原則。
比喻說到，某個富人託負僕人每個人一錠銀子，指示他們要用銀子去作生意。
當他回來的時候，第一個僕人回報說，他已經從一錠銀子賺到了十錠銀子。
他受到主人的稱讚，並且受到獎勵有權可以管理十座城。
第二個僕人回報說，他已經從一錠銀子賺到了五錠銀子。
然後他就受到獎勵有權可以管理五座城。
另一個僕人近前來，並且把同一錠銀子還給主人，他說很害怕主人的嚴厲，因為這個理由讓他不敢作任何事。
然後主人就斷定他不盡責任，因為他甚至沒有盡到最小的本份，把錢放在銀行裡生利息。(路 19：13-26)
接下來看以看到這些原則：
The servants who put in effort and
made positive profits were rewarded,
while the servant who did not bother
to make even the barest minimum
effort was judged. This was not just
about the results but the attitude.
Likewise, Christian bosses need to
pay attention to incentivizing good
attitudes and dis-incentivizing bad
attitudes.
許多僕人努力工作，賺到利潤而得到獎賞，
而那個沒有去理會，甚至沒有去盡自已最小努力的僕人就被處罰了。
這個比喻講的不只是結果，而是討論到一種態度。
同樣的道理，基督徒的長官一定要注意去獎勵好的態度，處罰那些不好的態度。
This is very much aligned with
the conclusion in another parable
of Jesus, the parable of the talents
(Mt 25:14–30). In that parable, the
three servants were each given a
different number of talents. The
servants given five talents and two
talents each gained another five and
two talents respectively. Though the
results were different, both received
similar recognition: “Well done,
good and faithful servant; you were
faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things.
Enter into the joy of your lord” (Mt
25:21, 23). The slight difference
in this parable is that the master
rewarded both servants equally,
as he was fair enough to expect
different results from the different
resources he had placed with them.
However, with the servant entrusted
with one talent, the conclusion was
similar, with the master rebuking
him for not doing even the least
by depositing the money with the
bankers to earn interest. The master
likewise concluded that he was a
wicked servant and in that parable,
also rebuked him for his laziness (Mt
25:26–27).
這和耶穌另一個比喻也有相當一致的結論，受託銀子的比喻。(太 25：14-30)
這個比喻中，三個僕人分別被給予不同數目的銀子。
得到五千和二千銀子的僕人，各別又賺了五千和二千。
雖然結果是不一樣的，但他們都得到相類似的讚賞：
21主人說：好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理；可以進來享受你主人的快樂。(太 25：21，23)
這個比喻微小的差別是，主人給予兩個僕人相同的獎賞，
因為祂從頭到尾都是很公平的，會想要從祂給他們各人不同的資源中，得到不一樣的結果。
然而，那個得到一千得僕人，結果也是一樣的，主人責備他甚至沒有盡到最小的責任，把錢存在銀行來賺利息。
主人同樣作了結論，他是一個邪惡的僕人，而這個比喻，也責備他的懶隋。(太 25：26-27)
All the servants were given the
same resources but achieved different
results. The one who achieved more
was given a bigger reward. Equality
does not necessarily equate to
fairness. If one had indeed put in
more effort and thereby achieved
more from the same resources, it
would be inconceivable that he
should receive just the same reward
as another who had put in less effort
and achieved less.
全部的僕人都得到一樣的資源，但得到了不同的結果。
得到比較多人的，得到了較大的獎勵。
平等不一定就是等同於公平。
若一個人真得投入更多的努力，因而從相同的資源得到的更多，
他只應該得到相同的獎勵是一種不可思議的事情，因為另一個人較少投入，自然較少收入。
This principle is also supported by
the parable of the talents illustrated
above, with two servants being
rewarded equally for different output
because they were given different
resources to start with. The Bible
also reminds us, “Masters, give your
bondservants what is just and fair,
knowing that you also have a Master
in heaven” (Col 4:1).
而上面舉例的銀子的比喻，也同樣支持這個原則，
兩個僕人會有不同的產出，而得到相同的獎賞，是因為他們一開始被給予不一樣的資源。
聖經也提醒我們，
1你們作主人的，要公公平平的待僕人，因為知道你們也有一位主在天上。(西 4：1)
RENDER CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE 把功勞歸給有功的人
In the workplace, it is not uncommon
to see people devote much effort to
do a good job, only for the bosses
to take all the credit. There are two
important principles for Christian
bosses here:
職場中，有人會用很多精力把一件事作好並不少見，但只有老闆會拿走全部的功榮。
但對於基督徒的老闆而言，這裡有兩個重要的原則：
Do Not Be Guilty of Stealing 不因為奪取別人的功榮而犯罪
While it is less likely for Christians to
willfully break the commandment,
“You shall not steal” (Ex 20:15), we
may be doing so unknowingly if,
as Christian bosses, we simply take
credit for ourselves when we should
have attributed credit to our team
members. In a similar vein, the Bible
reminds us, “You shall not cheat your
neighbor, nor rob him. The wages
of him who is hired shall not remain
with you all night until morning”
(Lev 19:13). “Each day you shall give
him his wages, and not let the sun
go down on it, for he is poor and
has set his heart on it; lest he cry out
against you to the LORD, and it be
sin to you” (Deut 24:15). “Indeed
the wages of the laborers who
mowed your fields, which you kept
back by fraud, cry out; and the cries
of the reapers have reached the ears
of the Lord of Sabaoth” (Jas 5:4).
It is noteworthy that withholding
wages from workers is equated with
cheating, robbery, and fraud. Though
these verses are directly applicable
to monetary wages, this principle
is equally applicable as a reminder
to Christian bosses not to withhold
credit from our teams.
雖然基督徒不太可能故意去犯誡，"不可偷竊"(出 20：15)，
我們可能在無意之中這麼作了，若是身為基督徒的老闆"，
當我們應該要把功勞歸給團隊成員的時候，我們卻把功勞攬到自已身上。
與此相類似的情況是，聖經提醒我們，
13不可欺壓你的鄰舍，也不可搶奪他的物。雇工人的工價，不可在你那裡過夜，留到早晨。(利 19：13)
15要當日給他工價，不可等到日落─因為他窮苦，把心放在工價上─恐怕他因你求告耶和華，罪便歸你了。(申 24：15)
4工人給你們收割莊稼，你們虧欠他們的工錢，這工錢有聲音呼叫，並且那收割之人的冤聲已經入了萬軍之主的耳了。(雅 5：4)
值得注意的是，扣住工人的薪水等同是欺騙，搶劫和詐欺。
雖然這些經節直接是指著貨幣的薪水而言，但這個原則同樣適用來提醒基督徒的老闆，不要隱瞞自已團隊的功勞。
Act Justly 處事正正當當
Christian bosses must recognize that
workers are worthy of the credit due
to them. “You must not muzzle an ox
while it treads out the grain” (Deut
25:4). Indeed, it would be completely
unreasonable to expect an ox to
continue working while putting a
muzzle on it and denying it from
simultaneously grazing or eating.
Paul subsequently used this principle
to remind the church that it was not
oxen that God was concerned about
when this law was written (1 Cor 9:9).
Rather, this principle was about being
fair in rendering to God’s workers the
material needs that they deserved
for their work (1 Cor 9:6–12). Later
on, this was used again to reinforce
the respect and honor that elders in
the church deserve if they rule well,
especially those who labor in work
and doctrine (1 Tim 5:17–18). God
also gave a stern warning against the
injustice of denying what workers
deserve, “Woe to him who builds his
house by unrighteousness [a]nd his
chambers by injustice, [w]ho uses his
neighbor’s service without wages [a]
nd gives him nothing for his work”
(Jer 22:13).
基督徒的長官一定要辨別出，員工值得因為屬於他們的功勞而得到嘉獎。
4牛在場上踹穀的時候，不可籠住他的嘴。(申 25：4)
是的，這將完全不合理，去期待牛在工作時，把它的口摀住，讓它不能同時吃東西。
保羅接下來用這個原則來提醒教會，當寫下這條律法的時候，神所考慮的並不是神。(林前 9：9)
反而，這個原則是有關要公平地提供神工人在他們工作上所需要的物質，好讓他們工作。(林前 9：6-12)
後來，這個原則再被用來強調，若是教會的長執能夠好好治理教會，他們就應該得到尊重和榮耀，特別人他們努力工作和維護教義的人。(提前 5：17-18)
神也嚴重警告有關那些無視工人應該得到幫助的不以平，
"13那行不義蓋房、行不公造樓、白白使用人的手工不給工價的有禍了！"(耶 22：13)
The importance of this teaching
was played out in the episode
between Laban and Jacob when
Laban cheated Jacob and changed his
wages ten times. God was displeased
with Laban and intervened to ensure
that Jacob received that which was
due to him (Gen 31:6–12; 40–42).
As bosses naturally front the work
of their teams with their superiors, it
is both easy and tempting to ride on
this work to gain advancement and
recognition. However, for Christian
bosses, this is another opportunity to
stand out, to be fair and just, and to
attribute credit to whom it is due.
這個教會的重要性，在拉班和雅各的故事中，顯露出來，
當時拉班欺騙雅各，10次改變他的工資。
神對拉班很不高興，從中介入，確保雅各可以得到屬於他的份。(創 31：6-12；40-42)
身為長官很自然地面對上司討論成員的工作成果時，很容易被引誘去利用這個工作得到昇遷或認同。
然而對基督徒的長官而言，這是另一個分別的機會，要公平公正，把功勞歸於該得的人。
RESPECT VERSUS FEAR 敬重及敬畏
“And you, masters, do the
same things to them, giving up
threatening, knowing that your own
Master also is in heaven, and there
is no partiality with Him.” (Eph 6:9)
9你們作主人的，待僕人也是一理，不要威嚇他們。因為知道，他們和你們同有一位主在天上；他並不偏待人。
(弗 6：9)
It is natural for people to somewhat
fear those in positions of authority.
For this reason, Christian bosses
should heed the Bible’s instruction to
“give up threatening” to portray an
image of kindness and reason, which
is more aligned with Christian values.
人們很自然會有點畏懼那個高位的人。
因為這個原因，基督徒的長官應該留意聖經的指示，
"停止威脅"來形塑出仁慈和理性的形象，這樣才會和基督的美德相符。
Boaz has left a wonderful reference
for us in the way he interacted with
his workers. When he met with
his workers, he started off with a
blessing, “The LORD be with you!”
This gesture would have set his
workers at ease, and they responded
with a blessing for him as well. This
good relationship between Boaz
and his workers was clearly not built
upon fear, but rather, care from the
boss and both respect and love from
the workers. Boaz further displayed
his kindness towards Ruth when he
allowed her to glean in his field and
to drink from what his workers had
drawn. He also spoke kindly with
her, comforted her, and blessed her
for all she had done for Naomi. In
addition, he specifically instructed his
men to deliberately let grain fall from
the bundle so that Ruth might glean
(Ruth 2:4–16).
波阿斯在他和工人互動時，為我們留下了一個很美好的參考。
當他遇見工人的時候，一開始就給他們祝福，"主與你同在！"
這樣的姿態會讓工人感到放鬆，並且他們同樣也祝福回應他。
波阿斯和工人們的良好關係很明顯的，並不是建立在恐懼的基礎之上，
反而因為有老闆的關心，而得到了工人的尊重和愛戴。
波阿斯更進一步的向路得展現仁慈，他允許她在田裡收集食物，並且可以飲用工人所汲取的水。
他也仁慈的對她說，安慰她，並且祝福她為拿俄米所作的一切。
除此之外，他特別指示他的人，要故意從禾捆中留下一些殼物，這樣路得才可以拾取。(得 2：4-16)
Subordinates often fear their
bosses either because they have an
unpleasant nature, or because they
are volatile and unpredictable. For
Boaz, his kindness as witnessed by
his workers would have won him
respect. Likewise, Christian bosses
should seek to earn the respect of
their subordinates rather than instill
fear in them. In this way, Christian
bosses will be living testimonies of
Christian virtues and bring glory to
the name of the Lord.
部屬常常畏懼老闆，不是因為他們具有不快樂的天性，也不是因為他很個性爆或無法預測。
以波阿斯來說，他的仁慈已經被工人們見証了，就足以贏得敬重。
相樣的道理，基督徒的老闆，應該要尋求贏得部屬的敬重，而不是灌輸恐在他們身上。
只有這麼作，基督徒的長官才會活出基督美德的見正，把榮耀歸給主的名。
THE PROOF 眼見為憑
There are numerous management
books written about corporate
leadership and management theories.
While they may be useful references
for the MBA student, what remains
a critical foundation for Christian
bosses are the principles in the Bible
on how Christians should treat
others. The following are questions
about our behavior that we can
reflect upon:
有許多的管理書籍寫到有關企業領導能力和管理理論。
對企管學生來說，可能是很有用的參考書，對基督徒的老闆而言，
真正重要的基礎就是聖經裡面的原則，基督徒應該如何對待別人。
接下來有很多有關行為的問題，我們可以好好反省一下：
Do we show partiality and treat our
workers shabbily simply because they
work for us, while we treat others
less beholden to us with more dignity
and respect?
我們是不是會偏心，或是卑鄙的對待部屬，只因為他們是為我們工作的，
而我們對待其他跟我們比較沒有上下關係的人，是不是會更有尊嚴和敬重呢？
Do we take advantage of our
workers simply because we have the
upper hand?
我們有沒有利用自已的工人，只因為我們處於上風？
Do we simply issue orders but not
render support to help our team
members accomplish the work?
我們有沒有只下命令，但沒有提供支援來幫助我們的團隊成員完成工作？
Do we withhold reward and credit
due to our teams but mete out
disincentives even quicker when
things go wrong?
我們有沒有扣住獎勵和功榮，而這些是我們團隊該得的，
或是當事情作錯的時候，我們甚至會更快的給予處罰？
Are we only interested in the tasks
and not the people?
我們是不是只對任務本身有興趣，而對人一點都不感興趣？
The proof of a successful boss
in the world may often only be the
achievement of the task. But for
Christian bosses, the achievement of
the task is a given. Besides and more
importantly, we need to test our
success by using additional criteria:
世上一個成功老闆的証明，可能時常只是工作的成就。
但對基督徒的老闆而言，工作成就本來就是大家都知道的事。
除此之外，更重要的是，我們要用額外的標準來測試自已的成功：
Do our workers see good Christian
values displayed in us such that glory
is given to God?
我們的工人有沒有在我們身上看到美好基督徒的美德展現出來，因而把榮耀歸給神？
While others may be quick to
bring management concepts into
the church, have we actually done
it the right way round, i.e., bring the
church into the world by displaying
Christian virtues in the workplace so
we can reach out to people through
our good conduct?
雖然其他人可能很快把管理的概念帶入教會，
我們是否真的把事情作對了，也就是說，在職場上展示基督徒的美德，來把教會帶到世界，
這麼一來，我們可以透過自已的好行為，來向外觸及人群？
Are our workers submissive simply
because of fear or out of respect?
If our workers had a choice, would
they still choose to stay on and work
with us?
我們的部屬服順，是不是只因為恐懼，或是出自於內心的敬重？
若我們的部屬有選擇的時候，他們是不是仍然會選擇留在我們身邊和我們一起工作？
If our workers should walk into
church one day and see us there
as an active member, will their first
reaction be one of bewilderment at
our hypocrisy or will it be a smile of
enlightenment as to the secret of our
good behavior?
若部屬有一天應該要走進教會來，看見我們在教會裡是一個活躍的信徒，
他們第一個反應，對於我們的虛假會不會感到一種困惑？
或是這會是一種有所啟發的微笑，就好像是發現了我們好行為的秘密呢？
These questions can continue.
But more importantly, can we stand
before God and declare that we have
made the best of the position He has
blessed us with to glorify Him?
這些問題可以一直繼續下去。
但更加重要的是，我們是不是可以在神面前站立得住，
大聲說，我們盡了全力在祂祝福我們的職位上，盡力來榮耀祂？
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)