Inspired by My Daily Devotional for today. This one is going to sound a bit harsh.

"Nothing personal - it's just business" Have you ever had someone say this to you? This phrase is used when someone is about to be fired or worse. I have had it said to me more than once. Usually, when someone uses this they are trying to absolve themselves of something bad they are about to do. It is a lie. Losing one's job is very personal. I know, I had to fire folks and I knew it was personal for them and if they deserved to be fired, it was still very personal. I did not say otherwise. I did not try to convince or deceive the person or myself that it was not true.

Here is a very precise definition of the phrase:

It is most often said when someone acts in a manner that creates an advantage for themselves by disadvantaging someone else. If the act has particularly devastating results for the disadvantaged, the actor can justify his actions by characterizing it as “business”. Because, if his actions were “personal", that would make him mean-spirited.

It is simply using greed as a rationalization for ruthlessness.

It is also used by the person saying it as a form of self-mollification, to make themselves feel better, more at peace at what they are doing, and it is a form of patronizing, to appear kind or helpful but is actually when said, betraying a feeling of superiority; and it is condescending.

As a Christian I was very concerned as to how I treated my employees, but not as much as I should have been. It was not long after I started my first company that I got caught in the trap of profit over people and it hurt them and me. Did not happen the second time around, because I did not have any employees, I contracted everything out and made sure I treated anyone who worked for me in any capacity the way I wanted to be treated. I also treated my customers with the utmost care. One of my competitors, who wanted to buy me out and work for him, told me the only problem he had with a merger was that I was too honest. I did not have the killer instinct for business. I told him no, not interested in his offer. My problem with him was that he was a deceitful man, who cared more for money than honesty. I didn't like his "It’s only business" attitude.

The guy who wanted to buy me out had convinced himself that his way of doing business was right, but it led to death. Death of his relationship with many of his customers, death to his sales, and eventually death to his business. I know people say well that is the way things are done, other folks cut corners, and use situational ethics, so why shouldn't I do the same?

Jeremiah 17:9 New International Version

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Jeremiah tells us in no uncertain terms that if our way of doing something is contrary to the Word of God that ultimately it will cause suffering and spiritual death. It will kill friendships, family relationships, and bank accounts, and could cause physical death as well. We should treat people in all respects the way God would want us to and we should at least have the decency to treat others the way we would want to be treated.

Ultimately (this is a good word) however we need to remember that there is only one way to God, and that is through his son Jesus Christ. We can live a good life, treat others with respect, be honest in all things, avoid gossip and do thousands of good deeds for others, but not reach heaven. We can not get there by a long or short list of good deeds, we are not our own savior, there is only one of those, and His sacrifice, it is the only way to salvation and eternal life.

John 14:6 New International Version

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Proverbs 14: 1-14 New International Version

1 The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,

but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,

but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,

but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,

but a false witness pours out lies.

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,

but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a fool,

for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,

but the folly of fools is deception.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,

but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,

and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that appears to be right,

but in the end, it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,

and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,

and the good rewarded for theirs.