Character or Theology

We received an email from a friend who teaches English in another country.  For her, teaching others is a 'mission', a way of serving God.  I got to wondering as I was walking. . . 'What if she was hired by an overseas company to teach English to their employees?  What would matter to them?"

Would it be her integrity?  her honesty?  her work ethic?  her character?

Or would it be her theological position, or positions?  Would that make her more or less important to them?

I have to wonder about things like this.  When I was new in my faith journey, Christians emphasized character. Honesty, loyalty, showing up on time, accepting the 'unacceptable' people, and so forth.  Then change came with radio and TV personalities emphasizing 'right' theology, 'right' positions on abortion, birth control and the like.  And character seemed to fly out the door.

With the emphasis on "right theology" and "right social positions" more and more Christians seem to leave honesty, fairness, loyalty, trustworthiness, truth-telling and personal morality to the old fogies of their youth.  

As an employee and as an employer I have struggled with this change.  If a woman cheats on her husband, will she cheat on my work safety?  If a man lies about a product in order to sell it, will he lie about his hours in order to receive pay he has not earned?  If a salesperson is sent out with a "bottom-line figure" below which he or she must not sell a service, and sells it for less anyway because he wants the commission, must the employing business risk going out of business?

"Do to others what you would have them do to you" still makes good sense, and I think it expresses a strong faith in the God who values values.

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.