I recently gave this talk to government and business leaders in the country of Madagascar and I thought you might enjoy reading it. The term morality and ethics is often used interchangeably though they both have two different meanings. Ethics is the right and wrong according to society or the most acceptable standard while morality is the right and wrong according to God’s standards. Both are necessary and without a moral standard, ethics can be relative. My father had 3 wives. In his culture and during the times when he lived, it was an acceptable ethical practice. But according to biblical moral standards, this would not have been acceptable, especially in the new covenant.
What is Morality and Ethics
Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14: 34
ETHICS is the right and wrong according to society or the most acceptable standard
- Society or the majority sets the standard for right and wrong
- There is a guideline for right and wrong
- There are temporal consequences for right and wrong
MORALITY is the right and wrong according to the standard of God
- God sets the standard for right and wrong
- There is a guideline for right and wrong
- There are temporal and eternal consequences for right and wrong
Both ethics and morality are necessary
- Morality sets the baseline for good ethics
- Ethics enables society to develop their own social covenant
- Without morality, ethics is relative
Healthy and thriving societies and institutions are built on good morals and sound ethics
Three Essential Institutions for the Flourishing Society
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…” Genesis 1:28a
FAMILY
For Procreation
Business
Provision and Stewardship
GOVERNMENT
Order and Protection
The Key to Success for a Flourishing Institution/Society
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first Commandment.” Proverbs 14: 34
LOVE GOD
- Have no other gods before God
- Do not make a carved image
- Do not take the name of the Lord in vain
LOVE SELF
- Remember the Sabbath
LOVE OTHERS
- Honor your father and mother
- You shall not murder
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not steal
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s things