Saints in the Marketplace

Christian entrepreneurs, whether artisans or white collar, have a responsibility to build world-class, ethical businesses that reflect the values of the Gospel, even in a world of cut-throat capitalism. Dr John Nyamunda explains how to go about becoming saints in the marketplace.

Have you ever felt AS IF running an honest business is a disadvantage in today’s cutthroat business environment? With experts saying that 30% of SMEs in South Africa believe corruption affects their ability to compete, do you wonder if you can thrive without cutting corners?

Often, it seems like those who bend the rules get ahead, leaving you no choice but to do the same. But what if there is an effective counter to those who cut corners? What if we can grow successful businesses while staying true to our Catholic calling?

We are called to be saints — a high calling that should influence our lives, including our work and behaviour. Jesus himself challenged us, saying, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). If you think about it, what’s the real cost of dishonest success? If your business grows dishonestly, betraying your values, are you truly winning?

Playing fair often feels like entering the ring with your strongest hand tied behind your back. Yet, if we base our business on Christ’s teachings, are there ways to play fair and thrive?

Lessons from Scripture

Though it often feels otherwise, the temptations to cheat or lie in business aren’t new. In the days of the prophet Hosea, merchants “made many promises, took false oaths and made agreements” (Hosea 10:4). During Amos’s time, people could not wait for the Sabbath to end so they could “skimp on the measure” and “cheat with dishonest scales” (Amos 8:5).

If corruption was common back then, when life was simpler, how much harder is it for us to stick to our principles today? Yet our faith teaches us that God’s truth doesn’t change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The world may grow dimmer, but Christ’s light should keep shining through us. How can your business become a beacon of honesty and integrity, a lamp on a stand or a city on a hill?

There’s a story I love about a nun serving in a remote and war-torn village in North Africa. Muslims and Christians were tearing each other apart. Churches were being burnt, and Christians were not innocent bystanders either. But this nun kept her feeding scheme open to all who came to her hungry, no matter who they were, Christian or Muslim.

A reporter asked the Sister: “Why do you keep helping these people who are harming your own?” Her answer was profound but simple: “I do not help them because of who they are, but because of who I am.”

Her desire to be Christ-like guided her actions, regardless of other people’s behaviour. Isn’t that the kind of inner compass we need in business too?

Let’s be honest: faith alone won’t make customers hire us if we don’t deliver good quality. If you needed a skilled doctor, would you pick a mediocre Catholic physician over a non-believing expert just because the Catholic is the chair of the Pastoral Council? I wouldn’t. Our clients and customers deserve great work, and we should be able to deliver it.

Some Catholic businesses fall into unethical practices because they never push themselves to do great work. They rely on their faith and years of experience, without working hard to be excellent or developing their skills. Maybe we should ask ourselves: “Is this the best I can do?” What’s one skill you can improve to move beyond just being “good enough” to being outstanding?

Strength in community

Have you considered tapping into your parish community not just for Mass, but also for business wisdom and support? Maybe you’ve never approached a fellow parishioner after Mass to discuss ideas, make connections, or seek advice. Yet our Church community can be a powerful professional network. People who share your values are easier to access and they understand the moral struggles you face. They can help you find honest suppliers, skilled employees, and loyal customers.

This doesn’t mean that you rely just on your church connections to prop up a poor product or service. You still need to deliver real value! But imagine you had a great business delivering a great service that only needs some connections. Who in your parish could you speak to this week to strengthen both your faith and your bottom line?

In my youth, my father once hired a man from our parish — a catechist — to help build his small rural kitchen. It was a small job, the catechist didn’t have another project, and since he was a “man of faith,” my father thought: “What could go wrong?”

It turned out that a lot did go wrong. The catechist would never pitch up as agreed, despite my father reminding him the night before. There was no progress on the project for two months, even though my father had paid a deposit for the work.

In the end, the catechist’s wife had to drag the man along every day and stay with him at work the whole day. That was the last time my father used the catechist, even when he desperately needed someone. Though we kept seeing the catechist in church, my father’s trust in him was gone — and worse, because of that experience, he always hesitated to give any fellow parishioner work.

Imagine how non-Catholics view us every time a fellow parishioner fails to honour their commitments. What kind of Catholic witness does that leave behind? And closer to home, what kind of witness is your business providing? How will your actions shape others’ view of Christ and his Church?

Faith in action

Christian business leaders should always care deeply for those on the margins. As St James said, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18). Are you using your blessings to uplift the poor in your community?

Perhaps you’re already supporting the parish’s St Vincent de Paul Society, but is there more you could do? Could you offer an internship to a disadvantaged young person or take time to teach unemployed youths valuable skills, like how to use a computer?

Imagine the impact if more Catholic-owned businesses gave back. Wouldn’t our communities and customers notice the difference? What simple act of kindness could you commit to this month that shows your faith is alive in both your words and your work?

The world is full of temptations, shortcuts, and intense pressures to cut corners. But we are called to be different — to be saints. We can build world-class businesses that honour God by reflecting his truth and goodness. When people do business with us, they should see that we’re guided by a higher purpose.

So, where do you go from here? Will you take that first step towards stronger skills, deeper faith connections, and give back to the community? And most importantly, how can you let your faith shine through your business decisions — starting right now?

Dr John Nyamunda is a practising Catholic with a PhD in business management and over 20 years of corporate experience.

Published in the May 2025 issue of The Southern Cross