Honesty and purity in business

My husband and I are actively pursuing the start up of his new business. He is an artist blacksmith and brings to his business a rare combination of engineering and construction skills, an edgy contemporary aesthetic and the tools and passion of an old world craft. (See http://www.islandcityforge.com/

As we ventured out, we prayed to see this business in a spiritual light. Out of this foundation will come out all the issues of business - our vision for the work, customer service, types of products, how we market, who we collaborate with and what we hope the business will achieve.

When I was reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, I came across her definition of "church" (p. 583)

Church - The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from
divine Principle.
The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.

Although we were not setting out to have our business be a church, this definition gave us some very good guidelines with which to start our business.

"...affording proof of our utility..."
We expanded the business concept to not only develop products useful and beautiful to the home, but we also saw that we could have a positive impact on the community. Dealing in products that may be deemed luxury, we saw that beauty increases the value of one's environment. This made us realize that we could expand the business to include not only residential, but public sculpture and projects.

"...elevating the race..."
Good art engages the soul. Our purpose is to elevate thought above the mere acquisition of things to transforming thought to a higher ideal. When you bring a thing of original beauty into a space, it stirs thought. Our hope is that it lead thought to inspiration, inquiry and appreciation of authenticity and originality.

"...rousing the dormant understanding from the material to the spiritual..."
We also saw that we had the opportunity to challenge the complacent thought that the economy cannot be stimulated "in these times"; that prosperity is something afar off or only for a few; or even that there is no market for these products.
We countered those ideas by understanding that things that inspire easily circulate and bear fruit. Gratitude, the currency of love, is prosperous and brings prosperity. Prosperity, defined as an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment , is a noble and unselfish goal for the whole community. God's law of supply and demand are natural and are fulfilled.

"...whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle..."
Operating from our highest ethics, we hold honesty, accountability and trust in God as our modus operandi. Honesty in business dealings, now again in the headlines, is the soundest way to do business. (See article on Honesty is good business from spirituality.com) This is what we are banking on. Early on, it was necessary for us to get very clear that we are not dependent on material personalities for our supply, but our supply comes from God and our business is a reflection of God meeting our neighbors' needs. Each job that comes along is a God-job, and we are grateful!! As Mary Baker Eddy writes in Miscellaneous Writings

God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. .... and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.

Please feel free to visit my site kimckorinek.com, add your own comments or email to a friend