Finance and Integrity

London is as most people know a major financial and business centre in the world. In fact, it is also one of the most important revenue earners in the UK. It is very international and many leading global financial institutions and businesses have either big offices or are headquartered in London. These organisations employ many hundred of thousands people or perhaps even more than one million people.

As these organisations have grown more and more prosperous and large, may have become infected by greed and lost sight of the importance of human relationships, family life and Christian faith. Many organisations have also dubious business practises and whilst they may claim a legal base of integrity, but rarely is a Christian approach to integrity found. Furthermore, people work harder and harder often on the expense of family life and, as everybody knows, divorce rate are increasing resulting in many broken families with its related problems.

Many businesses were historically born out of the work of Christian men, and, although many still support charities, this has become more and more secondary in their vision, strategy and objectives. However, there are indications that new seeds have been planted and quite a few people are becoming more open to a change in attitude to working practises and to become more socially aware and more charitable.   

Prayers Points

• That the hearts of men and women working in the business world in London are changed for them to have an undivided heart toward God. (Psalm 87:v11)
• For those Christians working in these organisations to be the salt and light in this environment as well as at home and at church. There is a need for Christians to step forward and to take a stand for what they believe in. Also we need to pray for more Christians to be put into leadership. (Matthew 5:v13-16)
• We need to pray for the importance for people working in these organisations to store up treasures in heaven rather than in this world. So many make so much money but still do not use this money in Godly way. (Matthew 6:v19-21)
• We need to pray for these organisations and the people working within them to pay their taxes in an honest way (“tax planning” is a word often used) as well as giving to God our Father what actually is His. (Matthew 22:v21-22)
• We also need to pray for an increase in tithing both by the organisations and the people working within them. There is a need to give the first fruit to God as instructed in the Bible and if this is done we would see increased blessings in peoples’ lives and the companies’ success. (Malachi 3:v8-12)
• Many of these companies because of their size and success have become risk averse. Hence we need to pray that people in business will understand the importance of taking risks to invest in their business, into new businesses, into people and so on and allow the Holy Spirit to guide in this decision making. (Matthew 25: 14-30 the parable of the talents)

Written by Jakob Kinde.

Executive Chairman, Libertas Capital Group, www.libertascapital.com