Quotation from No Rusty Swords

I started to read No Rusty Swords by Bonhoeffer today. I think the premise is that the state of the world and ethics in Bonhoeffer’s time was such that the old ways of thinking were becoming unusable, and new ones would be needed. The “rusty swords” idea was based on the story of Don Quixote. The question as to whether our ethics are outdated is a subject for another time.

One of the reasons for this blog is to explore technology and theology as it relates to business. Most of us spend quite a bit of time at work during the week, and it would be a good thing to try and apply Biblical principles to our work, such as generosity, servant leadership, humility, etc.

One quote from No Rusty Swords toward this thought was this:

Possessions are not God’s blessing and goodness, but the opportunities of service to which he entrusts us. (Page 129).

The context of this quote is where Bonhoeffer returns to Germany from the US, and finds terrible conditions, many people are hungry, and unemployed. He was concerned that we might become preoccupied with the idea that because we have possessions and food, that God somehow is more happy with us, and angry at another. Bonhoeffer also connects having possessions with responsibility.

Here’s where I’m going with the quote: As a leader of a business, I need to evaluate the resources that God has given me. It is not enough to be thankful for God’s provision, but with His provision comes responsibility. Responsibility to use my assets for His glory, but also to help others as well.

I think this kind of introspective thought will need to occur more as the world becomes more complex, and as technology proliferates society, there will need to be moral thought on how to use these assets for good purposes and not evil.

These are my thoughts after a long day.