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Job outsourcing good or bad from a biblical perspective?
KDF suggested last week that we chat today about how the “U.S. continues to “outsource” jobs, benefiting no one in this country”. KDF quoted Jesus when he said to “pay unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, pay unto God which is his.” And then said: “it seems as though our Caesar now lives overseas”.
But does “outsourcing” really hurt America? Read a portion of an article from the National Center for Policy Analysis: “Contrary to popular belief, abundant evidence shows that American consumers, workers and businesses are benefiting from outsourcing”. Increase in Product Availability. An Institute for International Economics study by Catherine Mann notes that globalization of computer hardware manufacturing led to a 10 to 30 percent decline in prices, making such equipment more affordable and leading to a far greater increase in jobs in the long run. Stronger U.S. Job Demand. Mann believes globalization of Information Technology (IT) services “will yield even stronger job demand in the United States for workers with IT proficiency and skills.” Indeed, she notes that overall employment in job classifications most affected by IT service outsourcing is rising, not falling. Competitive Gains for Small Businesses. Researchers have also found that small firms and new startups gain more from outsourcing than large corporations. The latter have managerial structures that hinder their ability to take full advantage of outsourcing’s benefits. Smaller and younger companies can easily organize themselves to utilize outsourcing, thereby gaining sales and competing better in today’s global marketplace. Rising Standards of Living. Indians now doing jobs outsourced from America are seeing a rapid rise in their wages and standard of living. In the process, they are becoming more like Americans, which is translating into demand for American goods and lifestyles. Thus, according to the McKinsey Global Institute, for every $1 outsourced, the economic gain to the United States as a whole is $1.12 to $1.14; whereas the country to which a job is outsourced gains just 33 cents. {Bruce Bartlett/National Center for Policy Analysis}
So, sounds to me like “outsourcing” will be good for all nations as we progress forward. So- what biblical principles do you think speak to this issue? Anyone want to take a stab at this topic from a biblical perspective? Anyone agree or disagree with the above assessment?
Comments
By KDF
April 20, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Trade in biblical times (especially Old Testament days) was done for two reasons. 1) to maintain peace 2) to obtain materials needed for special projects and and furnishings, but mostly for the first reason.
This country is weak because America does not control her own money. We were strong after WW II, but now have declined and weakened ourselves to other countries. China owns us, they ship lead to us, spy on our business’, everthing that would have led to war 50 years ago. I don’t understand why we would accept any thing from China, but we still do business with them. Post-modernism has come to allow this sort of thing.
Pastor, I could go on and on about this, but I am comforted by the fact that there are turns the world must take, up to the end times and the Apocolypse.
I think the scripture of Josua 24:15 states how the U.S. should act as a country, which is our home As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Some may not understand my correlation here, but look at the countries we trade with. Are they blessed by the God of Jesus Christ. Not as countries. Our biggest trade-allies are Muslim (Saudi Arabia), Buddhism(India), China (whatever-doisms), etc.. Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” I believe Paul said, “do not be unequally yoked”.
No, this is not the nation my father served. <><
By KDF
April 20, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Sorry, I forgot something. When an American goes unemployed at the call center, and an Indian in New Delhi replaces him (we are talking thousands of jobs in this one instance) who in this country gains? Only the rich folks. And probably the Indian.
In some ways, I guess some things never change. <><
By :)
April 21, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this
Get rid of this administration that I voted for “twice” based on Christian Rhetoric! All I know, lay offs are high, gas is ridiculous, corn is high (food), gas companies are making record profits claiming its cost in exploration, NAFTA sucks and exploits people in poor nations like Mexico and moves jobs, White collar crime is high (mark my words after the election), greed is driving big business, my taxes went up over 1000.00, Iraq’s killing our economy and our soldiers all for nothing, and I never thought interest on loans would be so high! I studied globalization extensively in my Foregn politics class and it all depends on who you are talking to about the benefits for it. The notes you made Pastor are true but lets look at it both ways and within the framework of compassion. India is a good example of a positive outlook on Globalization and the benefits that come with it. However, lets look at China, Mexico, etc… and many more that work under inhumane conditions and are basically modern day slaves. Does America know abou this??? Of course they do. Do they set conditions for trade with threats of embargoing trade if they don’t change work conditions??? Yes they do but they never follow through with any sincerety and profits still role in. On the outside, it appears they care at times but follow the money, and you will see differently. Jesus said to love God with all our hearts and love your neighbor as your self. This is in no way following that command and we Christians will have to decide if that’s how we want ourselves to be represented to the world. As greedy selfish, incompassionate people they are just looking to make money. Is making money wrong, of course not but at the expense of cheap slave labor, yes in all its forms and according to Christ, its not loving your neighbor. I will no longer vote for a President ever again because of Christian rhetoric! I warn all you believers out there to do so too and don’t be fooled by any party, especially a party who claims to own the right to the Christian vote. Next time you vote for the President, I am sure gas will be 5.00 per gallon, thank you big business for caring so much. I can go on with a more logical debate but I must vent first. I will have much more proof on my argument after i get more comments.
:)
By KDF
April 21, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people (USA), eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Jesus states in Matthew 6:24 “You cannot serve both God and money.”
President George Washington said that a nation not run by biblical principles is doomed to fail (paraphrase).
Personal beliefs are forefront for me, but my national family (USA) that I support with votes and taxes is erring like lost sheep brothers and sisters! <><
By Jeff
April 21, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
KDF, major philosophy changes have to happen in our country, which almost always ties in with the spiritual. As Americans, we want to get paid top dollar for everything and pay the lowest cost at the same time. We can choose to get paid well (US jobs), or pay less (outsourcing).
I would love to give Detroit auto workers each $20+/hr to make an F150. The problem is that when they make it it’ll cost $75K+ to buy. Or, it can be made in Mexico at $3+/hr and I’ll pay $35K+.
It’ll take both me being willing to pay more and the workers being willing to get paid less to make this benefit the US economy. Without God’s priciples, “me first” dictates that neither will give.
By Pastor Joe A. Carbajal
April 21, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Fellow Bloggers-Let me throw out a follow up question at this point in the conversation:
So far each of you have spoken about companies being held to the same standard as individuals as it pertains to the scriptures you have quoted. For instance, I personally know that I can’t serve God and Money, but did God intend for companies to go by the same principles as you and I? Just trying to tickle your ear?????
By Jeff
April 21, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Pastor Joe, Most definitely companies are held to the same standards. They are owned, run, and maitained by people. A “name” doesn’t constitute exception from God’s laws. Honest scales applied to Biblical business and should so today.
By KDF
April 21, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
The Chic ‘filet restaurants do no open on Sundays out of respect for our Lord. This is a major food chain that sacrifices tons of Sunday’s money for not doing so. “EAT MORE CHICKEN”. Sorry, had to add that.
When I was young there were only a few small stores that would open; but once they began, others did too. I don’t believe it was for spiritual reasons. Manna speaks loudly, my friends. <><
By :)
April 21, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Oh yes, business would be more succesful if they followed God’s word. there should be no, I mean no, seperation between what we do in our personal life and work ethics. What I do is seen by God at all times. Im also gonna say, not every business is of God. I place the porn industry right with companies like Enron. Maybe even worse because on the outside they pretend to be legitimate business and decieve people and at least the porn industry is open about what they do, of course this is an example,I don’t support the that industry. Capitalism is no doubt the best way to maiain a government but it is not an imperfect one. We need a spirit of philanthrophy in the U.S. again, and raise Godly men that are willing to give their money to Godly causes and churches. We have proclaimed atheis like Bill Gates, Ted Turner, etc… who give more to charities than we Christians do. It’s ashame that these men that don’t even believe in Him are setting higher standards than we are, when it comes to business’s giving money. The american dream is a blessing but we tend to forget who gave that blessing once we obtain “stuff” that will rot and fade away. Anyway, thats what i think. Maybe we can talk about the prosperity gospel on our next blog. If we believe that these TV personalities that we see on TBN are living the way Jesus would wnat them to live. That would be an awsome discussion.